Jorgensen handed Cheltenham Town chance
FAROE Island international Claus Jorgensen has been given a chance to impress Cheltenham Town's acting manager John Schofield.
The 33-year-old midfielder is currently unattached to a club and can therefore sign for the Robins if his trial period proves to be a success.
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on trial: Claus Jorgensen after Blackpool won the League One play-off final at Wembley in 2007
He will not be involved in the Robins' match at Torquay United this evening.
Denmark-born Jorgensen has played for Bournemouth, Blackpool, Coventry City, Blackpool and Port Vale since moving to England in 1999.
He started this season with Blue Square North club Fleetwood Town, playing alongside ex-Robins defenders Alan Wright and Michael Taylor, but he is keen to return to the Football League and has started training with Cheltenham.
"Claus not played for a while, but he has come in and he is hungry to get back at it, so we will have a look at him," Schofield said.
"He has kept himself fit and the sharpness will come.
"It's a two way street because he needs somewhere to train, if he is happy with what he sees and we are happy with what we see, there might be a possibility he might stay with us.
"Because Claus is not tied to a club, it gives him a bit of breathing space, lets him get up to speed and looking at what we have done with him so far, he seems to be enjoying it."
Jorgensen qualifies for the Faroe Islands through his mother and has won 10 caps for his country, scoring once.
He was part of the Blackpool team that won the League One play-offs in 2007
If he is offered terms, he will become Schofield's fifth signing following loan captures Ben Marshall, Joss Labadie, David Pipe and Ashley Eastham.
Schofield has been in charge for the past six weeks while manager Martin Allen has been placed on 'gardening leave'.
He registered his first victory a week ago as the Robins hit back from a goal down to defeat Barnet 5-1 at the Abbey Business Stadium.
Schofield may name an unchanged XI at Plainmoor this evening, although Pipe and Eastham will be pushing for places.
"We will be looking to integrate David and Ashley into the first team, but we are on the back of a good performance and result against Barnet last Tuesday," Schofield said.
"It'd be wrong for us to ask players to perform and keep the shirt and then when you win 5-1, rip it all apart and start again.
"The lads have earned their shirts for the second match running."
Torquay have already knocked Cheltenham out of two cup competitions this season.
They defeated an understrength Robins team 3-1 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round at Whaddon Road and won by the same scoreline in a controversial FA Cup first round tie at Plainmoor.
Cheltenham took an early lead through Theo Lewis' first senior goal, but Torquay were awarded two penalties, the second of which saw Lee Ridley sent off for handball on the line.
The club later made an appeal against Ridley's dismissal that was upheld.
● Injured club captain Shane Duff will once again be on scouting duty this evening.
The central defender, who is not due back until next March following Achilles surgery, will be watching Northampton Town play Hereford United..
13 Comments
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by Dr Tiger Andy, Barnwood
Thursday, December 03 2009, 12:36PM
“Building for the future then? 33 year old Faroe Islander. Genius.”
by Richard lll, Cheltenham
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 8:39PM
“That's not what I was suggesting.”
by alf hart, windsor
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 6:48PM
“Richard. I think it's a bit high handed to suggest that all the people on this site who have been saying for months that MA was not for us are now being accused of backtracking.”
by Richard lll, Cheltenham
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 5:57PM
“We just share the same opinion Alf - a lot fans are probably now back-tracking on their original thoughts (I'm not including you). I'm sure the board are regretting their decision - I don't think anyone could've predicted quite how bad things would turn out.”
by alf hart, windsor.
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 5:20PM
“Richard and Edwards. The only conclusion I can come to is that you stand next to each other. Most of the people I know were, at best, prepared to give him a chance but were always concerned at the way he was fast tracked into the job.”
by michael, glos
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 5:09PM
“If it is true that some fans were pleased that Martin Allen joined the club it would have been for of two reasons -
1) They had not reserached his background any more than the board did.
2) The 'Mad Dog' thing - a pathetic attempt to be a character - and his mouthy demenour appeal to a certain type of supporter, usually found endlessly repeating obscene and stupid chants behind the home goal at most football grounds.
I think it was the latter”
by Edwards45, Texas
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 3:08PM
“2nd to disagree. All those who I go to football with and stand with at WR thought it was a good move and were surprised MA actually came to us. Same thing happened with Bobby Gould, but what ever is done in all walks of life, you can never please everyone, even you should know that one alf.”
by Richard lll, Cheltenham
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 2:42PM
“Alf - sorry to disagree, but when MA was appointed a Majority of fans DID want him in the manager's seat. Yes, there were those fans who said NO, but overall, it was seen as a positive move.
I think the next big name manager at Chelt (whenever that is) will be scrutinised a lot more than MA was - still, lesson learned, just in time I hope.”
by alf hart, windsor
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 2:18PM
“Richard. This is why a lot of people had reservations about MA. All you had to do was Google him to get enough information to suss out his character. I am surprised that the Board did not make a few pertinent phone calls to these clubs. However his appointment did happen a bit too quickly for a lot of people's liking. Please don't roll out the old chestnut of the majority of the fans thinking it was a wonderful appointment.”
by Richard lll, Cheltenham
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 11:40AM
“Interesting info Steve - I (an others I'm sure) thought that MA had left most of his previous clubs on good terms (bar Leicester), but this seems to paint a totally different picture. If only the Board + Supporters had known all this 14 months ago.................
From what was said at the Robins Trust AGM, the next manager will be kept on a lot shorter leash - no bad thing considering!”