Billy, whose club were knocked out of the play-offs by Bournemouth last night, is set to put pen to paper on a deal that will see the 30-year-old move his family up to Cumbria. His career began at Huddersfield Town in the early 90s, and he joined Plymouth Argyle in 1996. From there he joined Notts County before joining the Shakers, then managed by Neil Warnock, in 1998. Billy impressed manager Roddy Collins who had him watched several times last season. But on the occasion of Carlisle's clash with Bury in the LDV Vans Trophy, the midfield dynamo received a red card - and drew the wrath of Collins. The United boss had to be restrained as Billy walked from the field of play - but all that has been laid to rest now and the experienced player should be a key part of Collins's squad next season. "We saw from his performances against us last season that he is the kind of experienced performer in the middle of the park we want. He is very clever and knows his way round the pitch. He caught my eye when he played against us," said Collins of his intended capture. Another target for Collins is Leyton Orient striker Lee Thorpe. The 27-year-old joined the O's from Lincoln last year. However, unlike Billy he is still under contract and the Cumbrians would have to shell out a transfer fee to bring him north. The Cumbrians are still in negotiations with several of their present squad, including skipper Peter Murphy, striker Craig Russell and full-back Lee Maddison. Green says cash-strapped Blues could not afford him Sacked midfield ace Stuart Green says United couldn't afford to keep him, and took action to get rid of him. Speaking to the News & Star, Green, who has returned to Hull City and hopes to win back his place in their starting line-up for next season, says manager Roddy Collins engineered an argument to give him the excuse to sack him. A furious Collins confronted Green as the United squad were preparing to leave Brunton Park to travel to Torquay last month for a crucial away match. The manager claimed Green had been negotiating his return to Hull with his manager Peter Taylor, despite an agreement between the two clubs that United would pay the balance on his transfer of £120,000 and keep him at Brunton Park permanently. But Green says hard-up United couldn't raise the money. "It appears to me that Carlisle just did not have the money to see that kind of deal through. Certainly nothing more was ever mentioned to me. We all read the papers and saw how much money United are still supposed to owe creditors, so I couldn't see them having £120,000 to pay for one player. I may be proved wrong about that - time will tell - but it looks to me as though it was all a ploy to manoeuvre me out of the club", he said. The claims are bound to infuriate fans who branded Green a traitor for his actions. They will have a chance to make their feelings known next season as it seems likely Green will be returning to Brunton Park with his Hull City team mates. Picture from News & Star |
