Stars of the Local Leagues - Rhys Meredith

Theres no doubt of the quality in the Hyundai A - League this season but too often we miss whats on offer in our local leagues. The Brisbane, New South Wales and Victorian premier leagues are filled with many talented young and old footballers that just havent been lucky enough to crack the big time. Ultimately if the A - League had more clubs a lot of these players would find a home in the national competition, so here at inside we have started a new feature called "Stars of the Local Leagues".

Our first player featured is Brisbane Premier League's top goal scorer Rhys Meredith. Rhys is a former Rugby Union winger who has excelled since his switch back to childhood sport football in 2009. After a stellar 2011 season with Redlands United, Rhys was handed several trials in Serbia but no deal eventuated. After his good form continued into this season, Rhys caught the eye of Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic when he scored a hatrick against the Roar in a pre-season friendly which led to a week trial earlier this year. According to sources Rhys was very unlucky to land a deal with the A - League newcomers after Popovic decided to go with Joey Gibbs instead. A move interstate is mooted for Rhys after he has proved himself in the Brisbane league, and who knows maybe an A - League club in the future.

Rhys Meredith

Age: 24

Position: Striker / Attacking Midfield

Foot: Right

Check out Rhys You Tube highlights below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGS3tywIHm0

Transfer Gossip

- QPR are ready to sign West Ham hot shot Momo Diame, although it is unlikely Diame would leave the Hammers for a relegation dogfight.

- AC Milan striker Pato has been linked with a loan move back home to Brazil, with Corinthians.

- Former QPR manager Mark Hughes is expected to return to Blackburn Rovers.

- Arsenal are looking at a shock swoop for Barcelona striker David Villa.

- Rio Ferdinand will see out the rest of the season with the Red Devils before moving to the MLS in the summer.

- Spurs are interested in Montpellier striker Younes Belhanda.

- Former Newcastle Jets flop Francis Jeffers is targeting a move to the MLS, after cutting ties with his Maltese club.

Premier League Multi

Here at inside we've had a look at this weekend's English Premier League games and come up with a multi that we think stands the best chance of winning.

Fingers Crossed and happy punting.

Liverpool and Fulham - both teams to score
                           into
Everton and West Ham - both teams to score
                           into
West Brom to beat Norwich

Paying - $5.40

The answer to Melbourne Heart's crowd crisis

This might be seen as a big call within the football community but in my opinion the player that Melbourne Heart should be looking to sign to increase crowd numbers is not David Beckham but Angelos Charisteas.  Angelos according to a Greek friend is the most famous person in Greece. If you do not remember Angelos  he scored the famous header that won Greece the European cup in 2004. Even with no Greek background that moment he scored that header will remain with me forever, as Im sure it also will for the 150,000 or so Greek Australians living in Melbourne.

Charisteas is currently a free agent uncontracted to any club, and with the big name arrivals of Del Piero and Heskey in the off-season plus the massive Greek population in Melbourne this would have to be an attractive offer for Angelos. With alot of Greek clubs struggling to pay their players there is also the point of job security on offer. The Heart do have three to four strikers already on the books but there is always room for someone of Charisteas's quality. Call me crazy but I honestly believe that Angelos would bring an extra 5-10 thousand people to home games maybe more, and just maybe he might pinch a few fans from crosstown rivals Victory.

Relive that magical goal below by clicking on the You Tube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPw69FzmA7Q

Daniel Coote.

   THE ONE CAP WONDERS: PART 1 


Their backgrounds, careers, post careers and hobbies vary. But one thing these Footballers all have in common, is they hold the proud distinction of representing their country at International level. Even if it was only for a day. Here is a list of some of the most memorable one cap wonders.

 ESTEBAN FUERTES:

A real Football Journeyman, Fuertes played across many clubs in Argentina throughout the 1990's before making the big move to England in 1999. Signed by then Derby County Manager Jim Smith,  Fuertes’ English Premier League career came to an almost immediate halt after British Customs officials found his Italian Passport was forged. This forced Smith to sell Fuertes to French Club Lens, where the Argentine stayed for no more than a year. After spending a year in Spain, Fuertes returned to his native Argentina in 2002. He was handed his first and only cap in 2009 by then Argentine coach Diego Maradona. The selection was unique as, not only was he the oldest debutant for the National team at age 36, but the starting 11 team was comprised of players from the Argentine League. Fuertes retired from the game in June 2012 and, in true fashion, scored a double in his final match.

2) JOEY BARTON:

 












What can’t be said about this guy that’s already been said. Rough around the edges, Hot headed, Red Card King. All of these things have surely limited the Ex Manchester City man from receving further call ups to the National team. He was handed his sole cap for England back in 2007 during a friendly match against Spain. But he will perhaps be remembered as the player who would constantly court controversy. In 2005, his Brother Michael was sentenced to life in prison for the racially motivated murder of Anthony Walker. Joey was praised for having helped turn his brother in to  the Police over the vicious and heinous crime. Barton received a 12 match suspension on the final day of the 2011/12 FA Premier League season following a Red Card offence which saw him lash out at Manchester City player Sergio Aguero. This incident also involved kicks and headbutts to Manchester City teammates, of which the FA was not happy about. Now playing in France, only time will tell what the future holds for Joey Barton.

3) FRANCIS JEFFERS:














A product of the Everton Youth System, Jeffers made his Senior debut for the Toffees on December 26 1997, at the age of 16 years and 11 months which (at that time) made him the youngest player to debut for Everton. Jeffers' good form attracted the attention of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and in the Summer of 2001, he was signed by the club for a fee of 8 Million pounds (one of the most expensive Arsenal signings at that time). Injury and irregular First team appearances meant the young Jeffers would see most of the action from the dugout. Though he did manage to receive a call up from Sven Goran Eriksson in February 2003 for a Friendly match against Australia. Although England lost the match 3-1, Jeffers still managed to find the back of the net. The only comfort in an embarrasing match for the England team and it’s supporters. The last 8 years has seen Jeffers drift down in to the Lower Leagues, playing for clubs like Charlton Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday. This was followed by a 2 year stint in Australia, where the Liverpudlian failed to live up to the hype. He was recently (as of October 2012) in Malta playing for Floriana F.C. Jeffers left the club after 1 goal in 2 matches after the club couldn’t afford to pay him anymore. Jeffers has recently stated the Maltese League was the worst he’s ever played in. Despite the downfall of one of England’s most promising young strikers way back when, no one can take away his 100% Goal scoring record for the national team. Even if it was only achieved in one match.

Written by Alex Stilianos.

Transfer Gossip

- Seattle Sounders MVP Osvaldo Alonso is training with West Ham with a possibility of a loan move in the MLS off season.

- Fiorentina starlet Stevan Jovetic has stated that he will only leave the club for the right offer.

- AC Milan have now entered the race to sign Didier Drogba.

- Daniel Sturridge has all but agreed to join Liverpool in January.

- Newcastle and Spurs have entered the race to sign Blackpool starlet Thomas Ince.

- The board not the players were behind the Roar management shake up that happend yesterday.

Blast from the Past - Teddy Sheringham

Today's Blast from the past is former Manchester United and Spurs goal scoring machine Teddy Sheringham.  Teddy had a very successful career spanning 10 clubs over a 25 year period. Teddy payed for two of England's biggest clubs but also spells at West Ham and Portsmouth shouldn't go unmentioned. Teddy was a noted goal scorer which prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to buy him to replace the iconic Eric Cantona in 1997. It was at United where Teddy was most successful winning the treble in the 98-99 season. Sheringham also represented England on 51 occasions scoring 11 goals, other honours included being awarded MBE in 2007. Sheringham is considered abit of a cult figure in England with his ability to bed lots of younger women especially beauty queen Danielle Lloyd.

Enjoy your retirement Teddy.