A Tale of Two Players!
By: Bill Osborne
Date: 21/02/2002
THE announcement today of the signings of Todd and Pringle is good news for Town supporters. It is pleasing also to see that the club, contrary to some opinions, are not resigned to second division football.
Paul Groves is certainly doing the rounds to see who he can get in and he has done very well the short time he has been in command..The squad too are really committed to the cause and the chairman's warning that players are playing for their future is not only appropriate but timely.
So what do we know about Todd and Pringle?
Andy Todd
Birth date | 21/8/76 |
Birth Place | Falkirk |
Birth Nation | Scotland |
Height | 5'9 |
Weight | 86 |
Position | Defender |
Shirt Number | 14 |
A tough uncompromising defender, son of Swindon manager Colin - plays a ball-winning role in the team.
His Charlton appearances have so far been limited, and the biggest impact of his career so far came at Bolton, where he notched up 83 first team appearances.
An occasionally over-abrasive approach has seen him pick up some unnecessary bookings, but at his best he is a positive influence on the side.
Todd spent a time on loan at Swindon in the 1994/95 season where his father is now in charge, but his move to The Valley in the 1999/2000 term was shrouded in controversy. Just weeks after his father was sacked by Bolton there was an alleged incident between Todd and the Trotters' assistant manager Phil Brown that led to the player being rapidly shipped out of the Reebok Stadium. An honest if unspectacular defender, Todd has the kind of reliable qualities that make him a consistent performer.
Mariners Net said of him:
Having started his career at Middlesbrough, the 27 year old had a spell at Swindon before moving on to Bolton Wanderers, for whom he made 84 appearances, scoring 2 goals. A move to Charlton followed in 1999, but injury interupted his season and he has been making his comeback in the reserves since returning to action.
Martin Pringle
Birth date | 18/11/70 |
Birth Place | Gothenburg |
Birth Nation | Sweden |
Height | 188 |
Weight | 76 |
Position | Forward |
Shirt Number | 6 |
Not always the most convincing of finishers, Pringle's big strength is his pace and running, coupled with no little ball skill.
Came to London in 1999 and made an immediate impact as Charlton struggled unsuccessfully to stave off relegation.
Has not really been a first team regular since then, but is still capable of changing games with substitute appearances.
Mariners Net said about him:
Pringle, a Swedish International born in Gothenburg, is 31 years old and 6 feet 2 inches tall. He weighs in at a touch over 12 stone. He joined top Swedish club Helsingborg at the age of 18, and played 64 times for them, scoring fifteen times before moving to Benfica for three seasons.
He played 41 times for the top Portuguese club, though managerial change there - Graeme Souness being one - resulted in a shift of personnel and after scoring another 6 times he was snapped up by Charlton.
He was signed by Alan Curbishley for the South London club in 1999 for £800,000.
He is fast and confident, and has surprised many Premiership sides with his vision, speed and skill. So far he has played 58 times for the Addicks, scoring 8 times, competing for the same spot in the team as former Town favourite Clive Mendonca scoring against some of the top Premiership sides.
Pringle has been capped twice by Sweden, making his debut in 1995 by coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Scotland.
What do you think? Is this good news for Town? Articles for the Fishy are always welcome. Give your view. Or post a message on the message board.
This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!
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