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Sun 15th July 2001 - Beasant and Ekoku |
| July Headlines |
 Cardiff City are lining up a double signing of former Wimledon starts Dave
Beasant and Efan Ekoku. Beasant has been released by Notts Forest after playing 45 games
for them in Div 1 last season. He has been targetted by a number of clubs but the 42 year
old FA Cup winner has confirmed he is talking to Cardiff City. Beasant has made over 350
appearances for Wimbledon, over 150 for Chelsea, over 100 for Southampton and around 150
for Notts Forest. In total the shot stopper has played 841 matches since signing for
Wimbledon in August 1979. Beasant joined Wimbledon from non league Edgware Town and is a
hugely experienced keeper and even though 42 is very potitely put, getting on a bit he was
first choce for Forest last season only missing one league game through suspention.Beasant said "People might look at my age and wonder about my fitness, but I'm feeling better than ever. I played 45 matches for Forest last season - the only one I missed was through suspension. "A few clubs have made offers, but I am talking with Cardiff, there is a good chance I'll join them. "The club does interest me because of Sam Hammam's presence there. He is a shrewd operator and is committed in taking the club into the Premiership. "I'd normally worry about dropping into the second division, but everyone in football is talking about Cardiff right now. They've just spent big cash on Spencer Prior and Graham Kavanagh and are obviously going places. "Sam is an ambitious man and a very shrewd operator, any club who has his financial backing is in with a hell of a chance of success. "He's obviously looked at the tremendous fan base and potential down there. And the fact Sam is now planning a new stadium for the club shows his commitment in taking them to the Premier League. "I'd like to think I could help them in that aim."
When Beasant was asked about the possibility of Ekoku also coming to Cardiff he said "It wouldn't surprise me to see Efan arriving. He is available for nothing from Grasshoppers and would have the sort of experience to get Cardiff City out of the second division quickly." All Sam Hammam had to say was "We have chatted with Dave and I know all about Ekoku, he is a super individual and player." If either player is signed then I would imagine it will complete the experience in the squad to go for a second successive promotion. I have no doubt that that is the only target set at NP for the coming year. Beasants possible arrival would heighten the competition for places between newly signed Neil Alexander and last years custodian Mark Walton. |
Copyright Michael Morris 2001.
The second part of the double attack is an attacker. Efan Ekoku, 34,
who is currently free to leave Grasshoppers of Zurich. Ekoku was on loan at Sheff Weds
last season. The former Bournemouth, Norwich and Wimbledon striker has a fairly impressibe
hit rate, 80 league goals scored in 202 starts. While playing for Bournemouth the striker
scored 21 goals in 43 league games. That attracted Norwich who paid £500,000 for him in
1993. Ekoku then scored 15 league in 26 starts and that prompted Wimbledon to pay
£900,000 for him in 1994. The dons then benefitted from 37 goals in 102 league games
before he went to Grasshoppers for £500,000 in 1999. Efan was loaned to Sheff Weds last
season when he scored 7 goals in 31 league starts for the Owls.