FOOTBALL: City poised to lose two key players to League clubs (From The Oxford Times)

FOOTBALL: City poised to lose two key players to League clubs

10:10am Thursday 14th June 2012 in Evo-Stick Southern Premier Table & Results

By Nick Farrant.

Oxford City goalkeeper Jason Mooney and defender James Clarke have been invited for trials at npower League 1 outfits Tranmere Rovers and Yeovil Town.

It is a blow for City manager Mike Ford, who was hoping to have both of them in his squad when the newly-promoted club kick-off their Blue Square Bet Conference North campaign on August 18.

The duo played key roles in helping City win promotion from the Southern League Premier Division, but Ford admits it will be tough to keep them.

He said: “Jason had a trial at Cheltenham and now he’s going to Tranmere for pre-season training, so the likelihood is that he will be snapped up by a league club.

“James is going to Yeovil for two weeks and although he is still our player (he is under contract), I didn’t feel we could stop him having the opportunity to go to a Football League club.

“If I’m being selfish, I would like him back at the club. I told him how valuable he has been to us, but I hope it works out well for him.

“If it doesn’t, then the door is always open for him to come back.”

Ford has already anticipated Mooney’s departure by signing former Crewe, AFC Telford and Nantwich keeper Dan Platt, 21, from Evesham.

He added: “He’s has played at a decent level. They got relegated last season and wasn’t prepared to stay with them.”

In addition, winger Nick Stanley, 25, has rejoined City from Swindon Supermarine after leaving last season due to family reasons which have now been resolved.