Former Yeovil stopper Collis on the verge of securing Bristol City deal
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson is considering offering former Yeovil Town goalkeeper Steve Collis a deal until the end of the season.
A free agent after terminating his contract with League Two club Crewe Alexandra last month, the 28-year-old is seen as someone who could provide competition for current first-choice Dean Gerken.
-
Steve Collis - Reunited with Bristol City boss Gary Johnson
But the deal is dependant upon Bristol City finding a club to take current number two goalkeeper Stephen Henderson on loan.
Wycombe Wanderers have expressed an interest in the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international and a deal could be concluded today.
Collis has spent the past three weeks working with City goalkeeping coach Stuart Naylor and Johnson likes what he has seen so far.
He said: "Steve is a player I know very well from my time at Yeovil and he is a very capable keeper.
"Steve contacted us after leaving Crewe and asked if he could come training and he's been with us for a few weeks now.
"Not a lot of people are aware of his situation and he's sneaked under the radar to an extent.
"We have an opportunity to land ourselves a very good keeper who could provide strong competition for Dean Gerken."
Of Henderson, he said: "Stephen is a young player who desperately wants to be playing.
"He needs games rather than just sitting on the bench and that's why we are looking to secure him a loan deal.
"We rate him very highly and if we can find him a club, we will then be in a position to offer Steve Collis a deal."
Johnson signed Collis on a free transfer from Tiverton Town while in charge of Yeovil in November 2002 and the Barnet-born keeper provided stiff competition for Chris Weale, who later followed the manager to Ashton Gate.
"Our supporters know how good a keeper Chris Weale is and there is nothing between him and Steve Collis," added Johnson.
"Choosing between the two of them was always one of my toughest jobs during my time at Yeovil."
Collis subsequently secured a move to Southend United in June 2006 before joining Crewe two years later. He started the season as first choice at Gresty Road, but left following a difference of opinion with director of football Dario Gradi.
Former first-choice keeper Adriano Basso is still refusing to sign a new contract and remains out in the cold.
Bristol City have still not received a single offer for the 34-year-old Brazilian.
26 Comments
View all
by jibbywib, Cotham
Monday, January 25 2010, 1:26PM
“Good grief, it's like being the teach in a school for the mentally challenged.
So many ill informed comments it is difficult to know where to begin.
Basso decided that he would like to have a crack a the Premier League and was given poor advice by his agent. If he alluded to the fact he wanted to leave why should he play?
Henderson will be more likely to challenge for the number one spot if he gets vital experience. Blooding him at upper Championship level without it would not be as risky as with.
Who are the 'overpaid journeyman' in our squad? A journeyman by definition is someone who has consistently moved around throughout his career. How many 30+ players are in our squad that do not get a game that GJ will not be moving on?
Further, how can any person on here purport that a player is overpaid without knowing how much they are paid?
Sweeping generalisations seem so much more fun to ride on the bandwagon of than facts though eh.
We are not going to get a Taffarel, Zoff or Buffon to warm the bench. There is minimal probability he will even get a game so where is the harm in getting in a goalkeeper that performed well under GJ's tutelage previously so that our actual number two can gain vital experience.
Finally, 'Royal Jo', your punctuation says a lot about your intellect, your intellect in turn reveals a lot about your ability to rationalise facts into a cognisant argument so I will take your comment with a pinch of salt.”
by Chris, Bristol
Saturday, January 23 2010, 10:50AM
“Interesting points, NOT! Please read the article, GJ states that we have not played any reserve games for a while so how is Hendo able to stake his claim? This is an ideal short term scenario for both club and player. Of course, the law of contract enshrined in our common law is a complex and arcane area of the law. Its not a basic area to discuss here, certainly when people dont understand it in full. Bob, of course LJ played in a 3-0 win, the fact you dont mention that shows lack of substance to what you say and its clear you can be bracketed in the "we hate the Johnson" group, but i agree he should go as we have better players now and he wont have to out up with mindless and moronic abuse from our small minded minority of fans. I feel ashamed that a player, who always put his all in for the Reds has been treated in this way, my worry now is who is next? There has to be someone, doesnt there? You boo boys cant leave the players alone, can you?
Tractor, that was pathetic i wont drop down to your level, its really quite sad to resort to playground taunting, if you have nothing substantive to add, simply dont add anything at all.”
by tractor boy, ipswich
Friday, January 22 2010, 7:52PM
“Blinded by hatred and false theories of nepotism.What a funny old world Chris lives in.JNR can't cut it at this level it's not rocket science.Get a life go and watch AVATAR and liven up it's a football match.”
by Jack, Stoke Bishop
Friday, January 22 2010, 7:43PM
“Roversteve you off to the state of the art cinema tonight or down the seafront for a donkey ride?”
by colin, Bristol
Friday, January 22 2010, 6:22PM
“Gary,might I suggest you sign someone who can put the ball in the net,instead of someone to stop them going in.”