Paul Mullin

[Heysham_Shrimp]

gone on loan to Bradford City.

Looks like we may be seeing him again this season

[John L]

Isn't he Accy's skipper? VERY strange move IMO!

From http://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/:

Accrington Stanley striker Paul Mullin has joined Bradford City on loan until the end of the season.

Speaking about the deal Stanley Chief Executive Rob Heys said "From the club's point of view it is disappointing to see one of our key players go out on loan, however Paul has just celebrated his 35th birthday this week and was very keen to take the opportunity to have a short spell in the Football League with another club, particularly as they are pushing for a play off place which could lead to a chance for him to play at Wembley. He is still under contract for another season with us, as far as we are concerned he is an integral part of the side and he will be back wearing a Stanley shirt after the summer break."

Paul first joined Stanley in the summer of 1995 but was allowed to leave later that season. He had spells with several non-league clubs before returning to Stanley in the UniBond Premier Division in August 2000. Since that time he has been almost an ever present in the side, missing only ten league games in nine seasons. Last season he became the club's all time record appearance holder, notching up 400 games.

Paul will return to Accrington Stanley in May and the club wishes him and Bradford City all the best for the rest of the season. We expect to announce at least two additions to our squad later today.

The additions being (again from their official site):

Stanley manager John Coleman has brought in two loan players and signed a goalkeeper on non contract terms at the Fraser Eagle Stadium this morning.

Midfielder Adam Kay joins until the end of the season from local Championship side Burnley. The 19 year old first year pro was the man of the match in Burnley Reserve's 4-0 win over Carlisle at the Fraser Eagle Stadium earlier this week, and although he has yet to make his first team debut for the Clarets he has been named as an unused sub three times.

Speaking about the move Burnley manager Owen Coyle said "We are happy to allow Adam out on loan to Accrington. We have a good relationship with the club and this will hopefully allow Adam to get some first team football as the season comes to a close." Stanley manager John Coleman added "Adam is a promising youngster and we look forward to him joining the squad ahead of Saturday's game, we get on great with Burnley, Owen Coyle is a great friend of the club and we look forward to continuing the relationship going forward in the future."

Also coming on an initial one month loan is 25 year old Michael Symes from Shrewsbury Town. The 6'3" striker started his career at Everton, reaching the final of the FA Youth Cup partnering Wayne Rooney up front. He moved to Bradford City in 2004 before joining Shrewsbury two years later.

He has also had loan spells at Crewe, Stockport, Macclesfield and Bournemouth for whom he played against us in our 3-0 win earlier this season. Speaking about his second addition of the day Coley said "Michael is a big, strong forward who we have been looking at for some time, he's got a great attitude to the game and will be very keen to come and do a job for Accrington Stanley in the coming fixtures."

Finally John Coleman has brought in Zak Hibbert as goalkeeping cover. Zak has been with Conference North side Burscough this season having previously had spells at Southport and Prescot Cables. He has trained with us in the past and also spent a pre-season with Bradford City.

All three players will be eligible to play tomorrow against Exeter City.

So that's one goal threat for tomorrow out of the picture!

[P/T Indie]

I think it is down to money he is prob one of their bigger earners.

Accy fans on TFF weren't over joyed by the new signings.

[Howe Magic]

Whilst mullin as moved to bradford barry conlin as moved to grimsby - good news for the mariners in there fight against relegation

[nobbyshrimp]

Michael Symes also signed on loan with Accrington from the Shrews. Good signing!

[steve mfc]

Surprised on two accounts, that Stanley are prepared to let him go and that Bradford want him. From Colemans point of view its probably allowed him to bring in a couple of players, but if it back fires then the knives will be out.

[Number 1]

What it does show is that the teams bidding for promotion are making a last ditch push to try and get promotion and signing people they think can fire them into League 1, or in Grimsby's case, keep them in League 2.

It's just my own personal view, but I reckon Sammy doesn't know whether to stick or twist. Does he go for broke and try and sign someone hoping to fire us into the play offs? Or, knowing that, realistically, it's too big an ask and might actually disrupt the rhythm of the team and see us sinking lower, does he keep it as it is, and save the spending until next season, when, in our final season at Christie, he'll be hoping busting a gut to get players in next year so that we can start the new stadium in League 1? Personally, I'd prefer the latter. I know it can all go pear shaped and I don't think there's a bad time to get promoted, but it would be a blow if we didn't survive in League 1 next season and found ourselves moving into the new place having just got relegated. It's happened to a few clubs has that, I could be wrong but Sunderland and Southampton might have, and Stoke too if I remember rightly.

Edit: The phrase doesn't know is a bit insulting to Sammy. What I mean really is that he has to make that decision so that it's best for the club so it's a conundrum for him.

[Keith]

I think stick with what we've got. Even reaching the play offs is probably beyond us, even with some really great signings, others have to drop too much. But to be even talking about play offs at this point in the season is fantastic.