Alex can tolerate football agents

First team coach Steve Holland says Crewe Alexandra will have to tolerate working with football agents as they look to make summer signings. Crewe have avoided paying agents' fees in the past but Holland admits they are now part and parcel of the modern game. "There are some good agents," Holland told BBC Radio Stoke. "And it can be of benefit to have them there. "It is now the nature of the industry. There's nothing you can do about it so you deal with it the best you can." Holland also said he has already taken numerous phone calls from agents looking to solve Crewe's goalkeeping problem. Both Ben Williams and Owain fon Williams have rejected new contracts, leaving the Alex without a keeper. "I've had a few messages from agents throwing various different goalkeepers at me," said Holland. "We will discuss the names based on what we know about them and, if a name comes up that we know nothing about, then we shall do our research."

 

Casillas Delight With Zamora Trophy

The Real Madrid custodian confirmed first place after seeing his nearest rival, Víctor Valdés, let in four goals against los Merengues on Wednesday evening.Despite the personal glory attached to the prize, Casillas was quick to state that he wanted to ensure that the whole team shared in his success of conceding so few goals this season."The award is for the whole team, because the team is greater than the prize. We have prepared ourselves to be the side that concedes the least and in the end the goalkeeper is recognised, but it is the work of everyone," he explained."That was a very important game because the the closest to me was Víctor Valdés and with that result I believe that it is over."It is a great award which I like, but mainly because it recognises the work of the team."Finally, Casillas reflected on the guard of honour that Barcelona had to perform and believes that Madrid did not milk the situation in the face of so many friends on the opposition side."We have not made it go on and have not made a meal of it. I like to show respect to my colleagues and I think that this was a gesture to the champions who deserve it," he added

David Stockdale contributes to the cause

Ricketts refused re-entry to UK

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is unlikely to return to League Two side Bradford City after being refused entry back into the UK.

The 30-year-old had returned from international duty with Jamaica when officials at Heathrow Airport sent him back to New York. Ricketts did not have the correct stamp in his passport to allow him to be employed in the UK. His contract at Bradford is due to expire in three months' time. The club tried to resolve the problem in New York but the British Embassy told them his work permit was now invalid as Ricketts was supposed to have completed the necessary paperwork within six months. Bradford were also told that a new work permit application would be rejected as Ricketts' contract was soon to expire, that he was no longer City's main goalkeeper and because Jamaica were no longer in the top 70 in the FIFA rankings. Manager Stuart McCall told BBC Radio Leeds: "It was a chicken and egg situation, he knew he had to get his visa stamped prior to being allowed back in the country. "But if he sent his passport off, it would not have been back in time for him to go to Jamaica, where he needed to go to play games to make sure he still gets the criteria to play in the UK. "Between all the authorities we're looking for a solution but at the moment it's not looking good for Donovan coming back." Ricketts saw a proposed move to QPR collapse in January amid work permit problems.