John Welsh signs

34 year old midfielder from Preston. 2 Year deal!

Good experience to go with our youthful squad!

He's only won the Champions League https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2018/june/introducing-michael-jolleys-seventh-summer-signing/

Excellent signing, well impressed with that 👌

Just need a striker now good signings all 7 of them,

Come on No. 8

He's been a very good player at a much higher level than L2 for the majority of his career. Will help our youthful squad to have the experience of Woolford, Collins and Welsh around them. Good signing.

Blending the ages let's hope he gets the balance right but looking good to me ,

He looks like a tough illegitimate! Welcome!

That is an absolute belter of a signing. 2 year deals all round which is a very risky move but it’s a sign of intent and is allowing us to get players ahead of others.

Well done to Jolley AND Fenty.

Wow! That is a sensantional signing

Great signing - some decent work being done, just need a genuine goal scorer because these midfielders look the part.

Aww Jolley stop spoiling us stop it !!

Pleased O'Connor turned us down now.. Welsh is a quality signing, happy with that one

Great signing well done to all who made it happen. Welcome John

Great signing, bags of experience at a higher level. Well done Town.

Amazing signing for Town . This has to be the reason to take next season very seriously ...... the first game should be a home sell out

Is this not a journeyman player at end of his career picking up a final paycheque?
Or is it ok to sign 34 yr olds on 2 year deals as long as Jolly is manager. Just putting it out there for debate

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Is this not a journeyman player at end of his career picking up a final paycheque?
Or is it ok to sign 34 yr olds on 2 year deals as long as Jolly is manager. Just putting it out there for debate

Well ! thats feked the feel good factor up .  

Captain material

Really over the moon with this one. Well done MJ, 34 or not he’s a real Championship calibre centre midfielder, I’m sure we will be the envy of a fair few teams in LG1 and LG2 with this one. Having a player like this can only work in our favour for potentially attracting a couple of more quality signings.

Well done MJ and the team ! Real solid today  

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Is this not a journeyman player at end of his career picking up a final paycheque?
Or is it ok to sign 34 yr olds on 2 year deals as long as Jolly is manager. Just putting it out there for debate

A ‘journeyman’ player who has permanently played for 4 clubs (one being Liverpool who he started his career with) and 300 appearances for 2 clubs.

Idiotic debate.

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Is this not a journeyman player at end of his career picking up a final paycheque?
Or is it ok to sign 34 yr olds on 2 year deals as long as Jolly is manager. Just putting it out there for debate

What it is,is jolley attracting a proper,quality and experienced player to the club,it's about time we had proper footballers like this at the club and not the usual relegation duffers...his interview on i follow is an excellent interview....thank god we now have a manager who knows about football,players seem to want to play for him,jolley looks like the real deal judging by the business he has done up to now

Not been this excited about a new midfielder since that time we signed Peter Beagrie.

this was on twitter from a PNE fan and told us to read this

[url]http://www.pne-online.net/forum/showthread.php?106082-John-welsh-to-leave-PNE-(-confirmed)&highlight=john+welsh[/url]


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Read the PNE forum. Total committed pro - brilliant pedigree. Just what the doctor ordered

PNE fans to a man think Welsh is a top signing. A real leader who seems to have bought in to what Michael Jolley has told him. He states he can feel the positivity about the place.
Lets hope we can get a striker in now!

Seems like a really good signing. Just been reading the Preston North End forums >> http://www.pne-online.net/forum/showthread.php?104754-John-Welsh-AFC-Fylde

Is that our first signing that has come from Preston since Grimsby Town splashed 500K on Lee Ashcroft back in the late 90s?

Can't deny I've never heard of him... But from what I read about his career and fans he's played for previously.. What a signing it COULD be utm

Well thats the new captain debate over before it had begun.

Super signing!! We have the making of a fantastic defence and midfield - 2 just need to add some real quality in front of goal and we will be right up there in my opinion!

Well done MJ!! 👏

#UTM

Hope this has put the doubters at ease who thought Jolley would struggle with recruitment.

One hell of a signing

I'm well pleased with that. Welcome, John.

Crikey ! If this lot click with those already here, then it could be one hell of a season !

A true bully boy in midfield with Jake Hassenthaler alongside as the runner sounds 2 out of 3 of a solid midfield set up !!

Real competition for places in midfield. James Berrett suddenly seems a lifetime ago.

Holy salmon, our midfield must be overkill for L2 now  

Commiserations for Summerfield

Quoted from psgmariner

Not been this excited about a new midfielder since that time we signed Peter Beagrie.

If you kept a straight face while typing that you should be on stage  

Was he in Burnley u23’s?

Has Welsh had a lot of injuries in the last 18 months? It seems like a great signing if we can keep him fit

Although people may not want to agree I think not only Jolley for identifying the new signings but Fenty and the board need praising for agreeing to hand out 2 year deals, we've been so used to players being on only 1 year contract.

Quoted from lukeo

Can't deny I've never heard of him... But from what I read about his career and fans he's played for previously.. What a signing it COULD be utm

What you said....absolutely no idea who he is or who he played for without looking him up...but now i have .....i am impressed with the reports and comments from the PNE fans.

Likes a yellow card!
Not played much in last couple of years but if he is fit he is certainly the sort of experienced leader the fans will get behind

Quoted from Gaffer58

Although people may not want to agree I think not only Jolley for identifying the new signings but Fenty and the board need praising for agreeing to hand out 2 year deals, we've been so used to players being on only 1 year contract.

Jolley has obviously taken  the club by the scruff of the neck and wants to make a huge success of it; if the board don't play ball they are more stupid than even I thought. If the board continue to take Michael Jolleys advice they will be out of the firing line, but we will give praise in about 16 years time (!) because if Michael Jolley left tomorrow we would be back to square one.

So we nabbed Preston's main captain/midfielder for years, a team who finished 7th in the Championship last season.
Nice one board and Jolley    Should be at least a League One player by Preston fans assessments.

Great signing on paper. Ability and character by all accounts.

Obviously people will question his fitness/mobility/sharpness at 34, although strangely not seen any such comments on here yet. Not played a massive amount in the last 2 years and Preston fans comments seem to be based on previous years, so hope he's still got enough in the legs to have an impact.

I like the look of our midfield plenty of hardworking, run through walls, type players and I know Hessenthaler describes himself as a Box to Box type player, and is a Rose Box to Box type player as well?  oh and possibly Whitehouse.  Or they are all Box to Box type players    


I'm wondering if Jolley is thinking 4-2-3-1 as one of his formations, I guess we'll see during the friendlies.


4-2-3-1          McKeown
                            ?

RHJ        Collins        Davis         Fox
?          Whitmore         ?           Dixon

           Whitehouse     Welsh                                                          
           Hessenthaler   Rose                
           Clifton        Woolford

Wright                                  Hooper
Robles?                               Woolford?

                     Cook
                     Hooper
                     Robles
                     Cardwell
                     Rose?
                        ?


Or 3-5-2       McKeown
                          ?

         Collins   Davis   Whitmore
                          ?

RHJ                                                 Fox
?                                                     Dixon

     hitehouse Welsh  Hessenthaler
         Clifton  Woolford Rose

                
               Cook        Hooper
               Robles     Cardwell  
               Rose?          ?                    
                                                                                                                                                          You can tell I play Football Manager lol                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Quoted from Skrill

So we nabbed Preston's main captain/midfielder for years, a team who finished 7th in the Championship last season.
Nice one board and Jolley    Should be at least a League One player by Preston fans assessments.

Reading that PNE board, it looks like he hasn't played that much lately.

Quoted from Gaffer58

Although people may not want to agree I think not only Jolley for identifying the new signings but Fenty and the board need praising for agreeing to hand out 2 year deals, we've been so used to players being on only 1 year contract.

Why couldn't they do this years ago? Might not have been in such a mess if they had. So I won't be praising them for finally doing their job.

Quoted from Tommy

Great signing on paper. Ability and character by all accounts.

Obviously people will question his fitness/mobility/sharpness at 34, although strangely not seen any such comments on here yet. Not played a massive amount in the last 2 years and Preston fans comments seem to be based on previous years, so hope he's still got enough in the legs to have an impact.

Like Collins, I suspect he's been signed as much for his off-field qualities as his playing ability. We certainly seem to be building a team of the right 'types' - the last four signinings in particular (Whitehouse, Cook, Hessenthaler and now Welsh) have all come highly commended for their work ethic and attitude, and none appear lacking in talent either.

All very promising; the only observation I'd make of our admittedly incomplete squad is that we appear to be lacking in height. Central midfield in particular is looking somewhat diminutive with Rose, Hessenthaler and Welsh all 5ft 9" or under. It gives you a good idea of where we intend to be playing the ball next season, but at the same time we need to be wary of a division often influenced by set pieces and ariel battles in the middle of the park.

My Preston mates rate him, but not sure about his fitness levels
Hopefully we went through all the necessary fitness and medical assessments

Funnily enough, I was hearing about what the typical medical consists of yesterday. Not much is all I'd say.

He has family who live in marshchapel

He has family who live in marshchapel

Reading this off the PNE forum, seems he might have family or some sort of connections over in this area. ------------------------------

"Surprised he didnt stay around Tranmere but Humberside is a second home for him and the Grimsby manager is ' a new breed' whom Welshy will be a great asset for".

Quoted from Poojah

Like Collins, I suspect he's been signed as much for his off-field qualities as his playing ability. We certainly seem to be building a team of the right 'types' - the last four signinings in particular (Whitehouse, Cook, Hessenthaler and now Welsh) have all come highly commended for their work ethic and attitude, and none appear lacking in talent either.

All very promising; the only observation I'd make of our admittedly incomplete squad is that we appear to be lacking in height. Central midfield in particular is looking somewhat diminutive with Rose, Hessenthaler and Welsh all 5ft 9" or under. It gives you a good idea of where we intend to be playing the ball next season, but at the same time we need to be wary of a division often influenced by set pieces and ariel battles in the middle of the park.

Agree. Think the balance of youth and experience is just about right now. Or getting there at least. Welsh, Woolford, Collins and I suspect one or two more might come in who are more experienced and are around 30ish. We couldn't have gone into the new season with just Woolford as a proper experienced player. As you say, big roles to play for these guys around the squad, not just with their performances.

Great signing. I have always thought that the strong midfield is the key to a successful team, and with these three new midfielders we certainly look to have some real power there. Real competition for places too.

If we can just get a good out and out striker to feed off these guys we could really be in business.

No doubt Jolley will have someone lined up.  

Him as Captain with Collins as Vice? Great signing to me!

I'm very happy with this signing generally keeps himself in good shape always been a player to get stuck in, Summerfield leaves and we bring in Welsh.

The midfield is looking stronger now, Rose, Welsh, Hessenthaler, Clifton, Whitehouse, Woolford and Cook num 10 / striker.

All them players hungry and fighting to be in the team.

Just need a back up young keeper, winger, striker like Chris Long and maybe a back up RB ideally someone who can do both RB and Cover LB aswell similar to Magnay but there hard to find.

I'm surprised Dixon hasn't wanted to leave.

Regarding the comment about our aerial prowess in the middle of the park, Rose is certainly taller than 5'9" and, as we saw last season is pretty strong in the air so I'm not too concerned about that.

Never heard of this new signing before but a good pedigree. Let's hope he's a Davies/Collins type of veteran player when it comes to his fitness with age only catching up with him slowly.

I have to say, we don't have much in the way of out and out wide players at the club which ought to give an indication we're not likely to play with wingers too often. My guess is some sort of variation of a 4-3-3 which is fine by me, providing we have the legs in the team to cover the ground which it looks like we probably do.

Historically our Achilles heel has been the quality of our midfield hence we have very rarely dominated games and have often had to try and win games whilst having low possession.

This years signings appear to acknowledge and address this issue and I would assume we have all the midfield players we require now on the books. Still expecting a back up keeper, right back, wide man and that elusive striker. Think some of these may be addressed by season long loan deals for Academy players but the striker remains the big mystery and simply have no clue of our targets, however, unlike other seasons how many times have we had knowledge of who is coming in this year? Rumour mill beats official announcement by minutes rather than days so have our good internal sources left the club or no longer in the know?

Anyone else perplexed/ intrigued that we now have 6 central midfielders but no wide men?

I'm struggling to imagine what Woolford will be doing next season with the events of the last 24 hours. Sure MJ has a plan but I'm  beginning to wonder why he kept him?

Quoted from Nelly GTFC

Seems like a really good signing. Just been reading the Preston North End forums >> http://www.pne-online.net/forum/showthread.php?104754-John-Welsh-AFC-Fylde

Is that our first signing that has come from Preston since Grimsby Town splashed 500K on Lee Ashcroft back in the late 90s?

Michael Keane on loan in 2001/02?

Quoted from forza ivano

Anyone else perplexed/ intrigued that we now have 6 central midfielders but no wide men?

Have you never played Football Manager!

Everyone knows the best formation is 4-3-1-2 for 4-1-3-2.... no wingers needed  

Quoted from buckstown

I'm struggling to imagine what Woolford will be doing next season with the events of the last 24 hours. Sure MJ has a plan but I'm  beginning to wonder why he kept him?

We've got five out and out central midfielders, Rose, Welsh, Hessenthaler, Whitehouse and Woolford. I'm sure MJ said Clifton could play there.. eventually. So if MJ wants to play three in the centre and one gets injured, then there will be only one experienced option left on the bench. Some look at a squad and forget about tactical options, injuries or loss of form..

While we're on about the central midfield. I remember some clever trousers (can't remember who ) getting hammered for saying that Rose was more likely than Summerfield to start the season..

Feel a lot happier about our transfer business the past 24 hours or so, I hope the recent quality of signings now continues..

On paper this is an absolute stonker of a signing.  But there's a few excellent points raised on here about the lack of games he's played in the last two years.  Reading between the lines on their forum it's arguably a case of him just getting edged out by younger players in a side with genuine ambitions of chasing a top 6 place in the Championship.  I don't think many of us would grumble at having a side full of guys who are just not quite good enough to be a permanent fixture in a side chasing a Premier League spot, but more than ok as squad cover at that level.

The lack of games in recent seasons could also work in our favour.  He's 34 which is hardly over the hill but his style of play means he will have probably taken a bit of a battering, bit of time off could have refreshed him.

What's really impressive is that Jolley has persuaded him to come here in the first place.  I know there's a family link to the area but considering he lives in Liverpool and travelled to Preston every day (1 hour) he wouldn't have been short of options to stay that way over and find a North West club in League 1, or indeed if he moved this way over there's a fair selection of League 1 clubs within an hour of us.  That Preston forum mentions that he helped out with the Academy so wonder if Jolley is going to do the same and has used that as a bit of a dangled carrot.  

All very, very encouraging so far.

Still lacking up top.

Hooper obviously finished the season very well so we have to hope he can continue this form, Cardwell yet to score a senior goal, Cook seems to have mostly played as a midfielder, Robles has a lot to prove given the level he's been playing at. Have I missed anyone?

I think we need one or perhaps two more forwards at least.

Quoted from forza ivano

Anyone else perplexed/ intrigued that we now have 6 central midfielders but no wide men?

I make it 5 who'll be solely central midfielders; Welsh, Woolford, Rose, Hessenthaler and Whitehouse.  I know Jolley has said he sees Clifton as someone who will eventually move into the middle but I don't think that will happen this season.

From last season when he started to make his real stamp on things, I don't see Jolley as someone who uses traditional wingers either.  He wants one of his midfielders to sit very deep, which allows the full-backs to push on high into wing-back positions where the 'wingers' push high and inside to help the lone front man put pressure on the opposition defence.

I quite like the system Jolley uses as it gets the best of both worlds, providing you've got the right players.  You've the ability to stretch teams out wide with the high full-backs and wide midfielders, but if the wide midfielders cut inside you've also got the option of overcrowding teams in the middle too.   Energy is definitely a key ingredient for Jolley this season and I can see us absolutely steam-rolling a few sides with the way we play.

Quoted from Maringer

Still lacking up top.

Hooper obviously finished the season very well so we have to hope he can continue this form, Cardwell yet to score a senior goal, Cook seems to have mostly played as a midfielder, Robles has a lot to prove given the level he's been playing at. Have I missed anyone?

I think we need one or perhaps two more forwards at least.

I can't see Hooper starting anywhere but the left flank.  He looked a hundred times a better player, far more natural to him than as an out-and-out striker.

There's one more to come up top, at least.  But I'm not concerned about the lack of goals so far from the current 3 in their careers.  At least one of them will come good with their return this year.  Cardwell has all the ingredients to be a very good striker at this level, he just needs a couple of goals to trickle in for him.  A lot of his play reminds me of Daryl Clare and how he just couldn't buy a goal when he first started with us.  

Report from a friend the North West - "should be a good signing even at that age. Very combative, good pass and a leader..."

Not a description that could be applied to many GTFC midfielders in the last 15 years...Pouton and that's about it (and hopefully JW better at avoiding red cards)?

I think we'll perhaps often play a forward 3, definitely with Hooper out on the left. As you note, he looked much more comfortable receiving and using the ball with the touchline next to him. I'd like to see him cutting in and taking more shots this year as I'm told he's got a hell of a shot on him (I missed his long-range efforts last season!) and he didn't shoot enough for me when he played last year.

I'm yet to be convinced that Cardwell will ever score very many. Can't fault his efforts, but he tends to spurn the chances which do come his way. Perhaps he'll do better once he breaks his duck and will hopefully get more chances in a team which isn't struggling so much as we were for much of last season.

Clare became a non-league specialist (and did very well indeed there) because I think he realised he wasn't quite good enough for league football. I fear the same may end up being the case for Cardwell. Hopefully not.

I would like to see us with a forward with some serious pace. Not sure if Cook qualifies as this or not but it's always helpful to have a player to give defenders something different to worry about, whether it's height, strength or pace. At our level, you don't need to be the most technically brilliant player if you're strong enough or quick enough to cause problems with those assets alone.

Quoted from forza ivano

Anyone else perplexed/ intrigued that we now have 6 central midfielders but no wide men?

I think it's a clear indicator that we'll be going with 3 in the middle as a formation so it's 2 per position which seems just about ok, maybe 1 too many. Rose was already contracted and so is the only one who Jolley hasn't actively offered terms to - perhaps he's going to find it hard to get a game.

Ah, yes. Also forgot about Akeem Rose (assuming he signs/has signed a new contract). He has pace to burn from what I've heard, so perhaps he's well within Jolley's plans?

I understand the new striker signing is close but not over the line yet. I knew about Welsh but have no idea as to who the striker is!

Well I did want a couple of old heads to balance the young 'uns.

Not quite that old though. Journeyman coming to the end I reckon, just hope and pray he has a couple of seasons left in him, could be outstanding

Quoted from Ipswin

Well I did want a couple of old heads to balance the young 'uns.

Not quite that old though. Journeyman coming to the end I reckon, just hope and pray he has a couple of seasons left in him, could be outstanding

Journeyman to me is a guy who goes fron club to club picking up a wage. Welsh hardly fits into that catagory

Quoted from Ipswin

Well I did want a couple of old heads to balance the young 'uns.

Not quite that old though. Journeyman coming to the end I reckon, just hope and pray he has a couple of seasons left in him, could be outstanding

Not sure you understand what a journeyman is. We're his third club in 9 years.

Proof that the Jolley honeymoon is well and truly alive, if Hurst had given a 34 year old a two year contract having not played for the last couple of years due to injuries there’d have been a meltdown on here!

When I look at previous "old heads" who made a big difference to Town in the 1980s and early 90s, such as Whymark, Birtles, Futcher, Nicholl, am hoping this is the kind of experience and guile this guy will bring.

2 cracking signings today and add to that Collins signing again its all getting rather exciting,i cant wai for August,just think we need a few more 1 being a decent striker, one that even Ipswin will give MJ credit for(then again hes hated everything MJ so far so I wont hold my breath).UTFM

Quoted from Ipswin

Well I did want a couple of old heads to balance the young 'uns.

Not quite that old though. Journeyman coming to the end I reckon, just hope and pray he has a couple of seasons left in him, could be outstanding

What is the sweet spot for an 'old head', but not too old? Let us know and we'll give Jolley a shout.  

Journeyman and older player do not go hand in hand. Huge disservice to someone who has shown great loyalty throughout his career.

Just been on the Lincoln Vital Forum. I don't normally make a habit of it, just interested in what they say about other clubs signings. There are others and not just comments about the Mariners. Anyway John Welsh is over the hill and not the answer to our woes, and apparently we're gonna be relegation fodder and are 'done as a club' which I find laughable with 140 years of history and one of the most optimistic, tactically astute managers in League 2 or that's the impression I get.  I really do think our seven fingered, carrot crunching friends are getting deluded and see the bit of recent success a platform for making them the Manchester United of Lincolnshire.

I never have had much time for them, I've worked with a few over the years and the bitterness towards Grimsby Town FC is sometimes embarrassing. Say what you want about Scunny fans but the decent ones are much more grounded and would be happy to see both clubs succeed.

I'm not sure where we'll finish but it won't be near the bottom of the table.

UTM.

I would take no notice of people like Scotimp,if we signed Messi and Ronaldo he would come out with some crap that they were done players, i often look at there forum to see how there plans for world domination is going, the way they talk I think they will be building an 80k stadium and winning the champions league in 4 years, bless them ,that's what comes from mating with your sister.

Hi I am a North End fan, just thought id let you know that John Welsh is a cracking player. Gives 100% every game and is definitely not afraid of a challenge. You've got yourselves a great player, who was a key player in our promotion season in 2015. He hasn't featured regularly for about 2 seasons now and i believe that he only played twice last season, whilst picking up a red against Wolves. He is loved by all at North End and it was sad to say goodbye after 6 years of service with the club, however he isn't good enough for our ambitions. That being said, i'm sure that he is certainly more than capable in league 1 and league 2. Good luck for next season!

Quoted from PNE

Hi I am a North End fan, just thought id let you know that John Welsh is a cracking player. Gives 100% every game and is definitely not afraid of a challenge. You've got yourselves a great player, who was a key player in our promotion season in 2015. He hasn't featured regularly for about 2 seasons now and i believe that he only played twice last season, whilst picking up a red against Wolves. He is loved by all at North End and it was sad to say goodbye after 6 years of service with the club, however he isn't good enough for our ambitions. That being said, i'm sure that he is certainly more than capable in league 1 and league 2. Good luck for next season!

Cheers, and good luck next season.

Quoted from PNE

HHe hasn't featured regularly for about 2 seasons now and i believe that he only played twice last season, whilst picking up a red against Wolves

This is important to remember. He is not going to be a starter week in week out I wouldn't have thought.

Great pro, battler, future coach in the making. Hard tackling centre mid....would expect him to be solid at league 2.

from my pne chum

Quoted from forza ivano

Great pro, battler, future coach in the making. Hard tackling centre mid....would expect him to be solid at league 2.

from my pne chum

Sometimes you need a player like that who isn't afraid of a tackle and can win the ball. He pretty much said as much in his interview to not expect him to be flashy, just the guy who gets the ball and then moves it to the players who can make something happen.

Quoted from psgmariner

This is important to remember. He is not going to be a starter week in week out I wouldn't have thought.

I would start him against the Veggies

A PNE fan I know said he was a warrior

I think he's a very good signing, not just for the quality he has as a footballer, but for the experience and knowledge he can spread to those around him. We obviously have a young squad, and he alluded to the fact he wanted to help the younger players in his interview. Both collins and welsh, even if not starters, could be hugely important to us this season.

Sounds like the type of lad who would go in a 50 50 against his mum to win the ball.

Top signing this.

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How long before we get a thread saying he legs have gone!?  😀