York City FC

REACHING FOR GLORY: Former York City men Tim Clarke (above) and Gary Bull are hoping for a slice of Wembley action with Scunthorpe in the play-offs tomorrow

Dean Kiely, who this week became Charlton Athletic's third £1million man when he moved from relegated Bury, is tipped to be given his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in tomorrow's friendly against Northern Ireland at Dublin's Lansdowne.

Meanwhile, Andy Warrington, who was released from Bootham Crescent three weeks ago, is to join Conference hopefuls Doncaster Rovers.

The 28-year-old Kiely, for whom City earned a further £175,000 from this week's move as a sell-on clause kicked in, could figure against former City team-mate Jon McCarthy in tomorrow's game to raise cash for the Omagh Bomb Disaster Fund.

Of his big-money move the man, who donned the senior gloves 239 times for the Minstermen, enthused: "Charlton are a club with a huge potential despite that relegation last season.

"It will be a straight fight for the first team place at The Valley between Sasa Ilic and myself. I just wanted to jump on board as soon as Charlton made their offer despite my three happy years at Bury.

"It was very disappointing for Bury to be relegated this season and, quite frankly, I didn't fancy the prospect of Second Division football even though I had kept 19 clean sheets for the club."

Republic boss Mick McCarthy is not surprised Charlton have moved in to sign one of the best First Division players in England last year.

"It was 12 months ago that I was first alerted about Dean's ability and he showed just what he is capable of in Paul McGrath's testimonial at Lansdowne Road," said McCarthy.

"You can never have enough good goalkeepers."

Ironically, Kiely played for England at both schoolboy and youth international level.

But that still makes him eligible for the Republic's senior team.

Kiely's successor at City, 22-year-old Warrington, was one of the first casualties of new manager Neil Thompson's reign when off-loaded shortly after City's relegation to the basement was confirmed.

But he was excited by the new challenge offered by go-ahead Doncaster, with whom he has signed a two-year deal.

"They are a very ambitious club and are making a big bid to get back into the Football League next season," said Warrington.

"They have got ambition and financial backing behind them. And with a new stadium to be built later next year they promise to be exciting times.

"I've thought long and hard about their offer because there were several other League clubs interested. Doncaster want to get back into the League as soon as possible - that suits me right down to the ground. I wouldn't have signed if they did not have ambitions."

Ex-City duo bid for play-off glory

by Dianne HillabyWembley could provide the ideal setting for former York City ace Gary Bull to break his Scunthorpe United duck.

The striker is resigned to his customary place on the bench for tomorrow's third division play-off final against Leyton Orient but is hoping for a dream chance to score his first goal and end months of frustration.

Bull has been forced to spend much of his first year at Glanford Park in the reserves and among the substitutes behind the in-form strikeforce of Jamie Forrester and John Eyre.

Eyre misses tomorrow's game through suspension but his place is set to be taken by youngster Gareth Sheldon, who was the hero of the semi-final victory over Swansea.

His two goals in extra-time of the second leg booked the Iron's place at Wembley - and almost certainly booked Bull's place on the bench yet again.

Bull, who joined Scunthorpe from City last summer, admitted it has been a frustrating season but is looking forward to being part of a Wembley squad for the first time. He said: "I've been promoted twice before but each time it was through automatic right. This is my first time in a play-off squad and the first time I've been involved in a Wembley squad.

"I've been scoring goals regularly in the reserves and it has been frustrating not to get my chance in the first team but I'm hoping for a piece of the action on Saturday and if I can score my first goal for Scunthorpe at Wembley I'm sure all that frustration will disappear."

He could be joined on the bench by another ex-Minsterman, goalkeeper Tim Clarke, who is vying for the number one shirt with Tom Evans.Clarke had been the first choice 'keeper for United since joining them from City two years ago in a deal which took Mark Samways to Bootham Crescent.

But in the second half of this season he has been ousted from the starting line-up by former Doncaster 'keeper Evans. However, after five months on the sidelines, Clarke was surprisingly recalled for the play-off semi-final with Swansea. Though he did well in the first leg he was less convincing in the second and the feeling is that Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws will reinstall Evans.

Whether or not he gets the nod, Clarke is determined to enjoy the occasion which is expected to be watched by a crowd of around 30,000.

He said: "I'm very much looking forward to it. I went there (to Wembley) before with Shrewsbury when we played Rotherham in the Autoglass Trophy but I was on the bench for that game.

"It is a great atmopshere to go into, especially for smaller clubs, but it's promotion that's the aim at the end of the day and that's what we're trying to do.

"You want to be involved and play yourself but it's up to the manager to make the decisions about the team. Even though I was on the bench at Wembley last time I was still part of it and I would like to think that bodes me well for Saturday.

"I was pleased with how I played in the first game against Swansea but in the second leg I think I could have done slightly better. It showed that I had been missing for five months and that I'd only played a few reserve games in that time."

Whitby Town will entertain a Middlesbrough XI at the Turnbull Ground on on Saturday, July 17.

Bryan Robson's team are to play all their pre-season games away from the Riverside Stadium and include a trip to Huddersfield Town, where Robson's old Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce was appointed boss this week, on Saturday, July 31. Boro will also tour Scotland, playing Hibernian on July 24 and Dundee United on July 26.

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