O'Leary: I'd love to join Cheltenham Town
KRISTIAN O'Leary wants to be part of Cheltenham Town's future under manager Mark Yates, writes Jon Palmer.
The midfielder is a free agent following his departure from Swansea City after 15 years with the Welsh club.
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Kristian O'Leary
He appeared for Cheltenham in a reserve team friendly at Birmingham City last week and although Yates is not in a position to offer the 32-year-old a contract now, he may be part of a new-look squad come the summer.
O'Leary spent a month on loan at Cheltenham in 2006, making a positive impression on supporters and he is keen to return to a club he almost joined on a permanent basis in the summer of 2007.
O'Leary said: "I would love to go back and it was a really tough decision three years ago, but I was organising my Testimonial at Swansea and I was part of a League One winning squad there.
"But it was my toughest decision at Swansea not to join Cheltenham and they would be my choice in the summer."
O'Leary watched the Robins' 1-0 home defeat by Hereford United last week.
He said: "I know I can bring something to the team with my enthusiasm and experience.
"I am waiting to play and when I came back for the Hereford game all the fans I spoke to and staff at the club were good to me. It's a well run club and I'd love to join"
O'Leary has been training twice a day on his own since leaving Swansea and he is not concerned about his lack of match action this season.
"I see it as a positive because I am injury free and I think it could mean I have an extra year to give," he said.
Yates refused to rule out an approach for O'Leary when he rebuilds his squad.
He said: "Kristian is not what we are after at the minute because I have to spend the money available to me on a forward.
"But his workrate in the reserve game was superb and he did some good things so he is a possible for next season."
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by shaun dinwiddy, cheltenham
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 11:44PM
“I hope Kristian O'Leary signs up for the robins he made a big impression last time he played for us as a season ticket holder for many years and a second cousin to him (only found out i was related to him the first time he played for chelt) my family are more known for boxing i would like to meet him and he would be a great addition to are club”
by Richard ll, Cheltenham
Sunday, March 14 2010, 3:39PM
“I'd welcome O'Leary back to the club if he joined us in the summer. He would be a classy addition to the midfield - especially at League 2 level. Don't blame Kris for staying at Swansea - it was his testiminial year after all. Just hope we can sign him before someone else does.”
by Edwards45, here, there, EFW
Thursday, March 11 2010, 11:52PM
“Agree Phatty, every player wants to play at the highest level, earning the most that they can and that has what he has done with Swansea, so fair play. Football is a cut throat business, not a damn social club. It hasnt just happened to us either, look at what has happened to Notts County, when Campbell, Erickson and all decided to abandon ship. Get over it, if O'leary can offer something different than what we have now, then bring it on, what has happened in the past, stays in the past.”
by phattso, churchdown
Thursday, March 11 2010, 11:17PM
“We shouldn't punish a player for wanting a little longer at his only club, he was just being loyal,
I think we should bust a gut to get him in now, maybe pay as he plays until the end of season then we will know if he's worth a season or two, send back one or two of the other loanees.”
by Zach, Cheltenham
Thursday, March 11 2010, 11:11PM
“Totally agree with Simon's sentiments. Your not welcome here O'Leary, if we weren't good enough for you back then, forget coming here now. We only want players that are commited to the club at all times, not just when it suits them.
Bye bye.”