U's sign midfielder Clifford

2:18pm Friday 11th January 2013 in Sport By Jonathan Waldron

Colchester United have signed promising Chelsea youngster Billy Clifford on a month's loan.

The 20-year-old trained with his new team-mates this morning, after agreeing to join the U's.

U's boss Joe Dunne watched Clifford play for Chelsea under-21s last night and has signed the midfielder in time to include him in his squad for tomorrow's big match with fellow strugglers Scunthorpe United, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Dunne said: "He's an exciting youngster with plenty of ability that we'll benefit from in the coming weeks.

"He's been in Chelsea's first-team squad on occasions already and I've been very impressed with what I've seen of him."

See Friday's Daily Gazette for a full preview of the U's game with Scunthorpe United, including interviews with Dunne, U's chairman Robbie Cowling and full-back Michael Rose.

Comments(6)

down the line says...
2:55pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Where are the experience players that Joe Dunne said was needed? A new GK would be nice! Finally Joe please play 4-4-2 tomorrow.

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Ozzie says...
3:01pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Well at least I guess it is another fresh face and gives the squad some strength, but we need a prolific out and out goalscorer and a goalkeeper and NOW! Maybe Joe is trying to lure players in but what can he offer them? A nice new ground that nobody wants to attend, a lacklustre team devoid of creativity with no respect for the management team and a lovely training ground that could easily become Mr Cowling's new homestead. Up the U's!!

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uptheu's says...
8:47pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Downtheline, don't you read Joe Dunne's comments . . . he wants to sign experienced players, but they cost money, money the U's, and most other clubs in League One don't have. How can clubs like Colchester compete when they are restricted to spending 60% of their gate receipts on players. Up the U's

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Steve86 says...
12:40am Sat 12 Jan 13

Good move Dunne, well done. Great young player, and can't wait to see him playing for the U's. Please please please play 442 tomorrow, with Porter and Samuel up front.

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Surb says...
9:42am Sat 12 Jan 13

Happy about this signing, Chelsea rate him. And can't wait to see him play.
Nice one Joe.
I also want to see 4-4-2.
Up the U's

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BlueandWhiteBaz says...
10:17am Sat 12 Jan 13

I think Dunne is handicapped by the fact that none of the senior players have left and to take on more would push us over the 65% capping level. However, Scunthorpe have brought in Akpo Sodje and Orient have got Charlie McDonald from MK Dons. Surely the latter one must have been on Dunnes shopping list!

Billy Clifford is a quality youngster who we are lucky to get hold of. I would have liked to have seen him here for the remainder of the season though rather than for only a month.

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