David Mulligan....

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board ARCHIVE' started by Guest, Jul 21, 2008.

  1. Gue

    Guest Guest

    <div class="article_body_header">Phoenix take a Mulligan</div><div class="article_body_date" id="_ctl7_pnlArticleDate">Monday, 21 July 2008 </div><div class="article_body_content"><p class="articlefirst">WELLINGTON Phoenix FC&rsquo;s already impressive defensive and midfield stocks have been further bolstered by the signing of former Scnuthorpe United and current All Whites player David Mulligan.</p>
    <div class="imageright" id="_ctl7__ctl0_pnlImage" style="width: 250px"><div class="imagePic">[​IMG]</div><div class="desc" id="_ctl7__ctl0_divDescription">David Mulligan </div></div><p class="articlefirst"></p>

    The 26-year-old defender joins the Phoenix on a two-year deal after a long career in England, including two seasons with Scnuthorpe in the Championship, one tier below the Premiership.</p>

    The signing of Mulligan is another significant signing coup for the Phoenix, who have recruited impressively and aggressively in their build-up to their second season in the Hyundai A-League.</p>

    With key men Andrew Durante and Jon McKain anchoring the Phoenix&rsquo;s defence, Mulligan will provide further defensive depth with his ability to play at left back and right back &ndash; as well as offering another handy midfield option for Phoenix and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert.</p>

    Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said Mulligan had been on the club&rsquo;s radar for some time.</p>

    &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been discussing options with David for a few months and the opportunity came about last week and we agreed terms to a two-year contract. He offers us a lot of versatility given his ability to play at the back on the left or the right, as well as midfield.</p>

    &ldquo;That&rsquo;s not to say we were concerned about the resources we already had in place in those positions prior to signing David, but it&rsquo;s about providing cover.</p>

    &ldquo;One of the things we want this year is to have back-up [in all positions] and have depth in our squad. David certainly adds that depth in a number of areas.&rdquo;</p>

    Pignata said Mulligan had proven top-flight experience after playing for several top English clubs since 2000.</p>

    &ldquo;He&rsquo;s played in the Championship, which is an extremely good league. Unfortunately things didn&rsquo;t work out for him when he went to Port Vale. He had a few options in the United Kingdom but he realised that the A-League was an attractive proposition.</p>

    &ldquo;It just goes to show that, instead of playing in the lower leagues in the UK, you can have a great career in the A-League.&rdquo;</p>

    The two-year deal was also significant for the Phoenix and for Mulligan, Pignata said.</p>

    &ldquo;We wanted to have some surety, as did David. It signals our commitment to the future and our commitment to playing a big part in the competition.&rdquo;</p>

    Mulligan will join his new club on Monday, July 28, to undergo a pre-season fitness assessment.</p>


    DAVID MULLIGAN
    Date of birth: March 24, 1982 in Fazakerley, England (26 years)
    Height, weight: 1.73m, 70kg
    Playing position: Defender</p>

    Club history: 2008 Port Vale, 2007 Grimsby Town (loan), 2006-08 Scnuthorpe United, 2004-06 Doncaster Rovers, 2000-03 Barnsley.</p>

    Hyundai A-League statistics: None (to debut with Phoenix).</p>

    Representative honours: New Zealand All Whites (19 caps, three goals), debut v China Olympic team, June 19, 2002; NZ under-23, NZ under-20, NZ under-17.</p>

    Biography: A regular starter for the All Whites, Mulligan brings extensive top-flight experience to the Phoenix. The former Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers player helped Scnuthorpe United achieve promotion to the Championship in 2006. He is a versatile defender who can play on both sides of the park as well as midfield. Mulligan is a dead-ball specialist with an eye for goal.</p></div>
     
  2. Dan

    Dan Well-Known Member

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    The A League is at an awful standard. Conference level at best. Leo Bertos is seen as the best winger in the division.

    Mulligan will stand out as a class act
     

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