Team GBR Head Coach, Graeme Dell, has today announced the men’s football squad for the upcoming World University Games, taking place in Belgrade, Serbia between 1 – 13 July 2009.
 
Former Bolton Wanderer’s player Danny Stott (San Diego State University) brings a recognised pedigree to the squad after three seasons at the Reebok Stadium and one summer in the US. He is joined by Bradford City’s Jonny McLaughlin (Leeds Met) to bring experience to squad, having just signed a new deal to stay at Valley Parade. They will be bolstered by Kettering Town’s highly rated Exodus Geohaghon (Wolverhampton University) and York City’s Ben Purkiss (York College of Law) who have both received England ‘C’ call-ups this term. Purkiss adds to his FA Trophy Final appearance at Wembley with a new contract at York City and a second World University Games call-up having been part of the Izmir 2005 Great Britain squad. Also rewarded, after a successful season culminating in a Wembley appearance winning the FA Vase, is Whitley Bay’s Chris Moore (Teesside University) who previously completed a football scholarship at Rutgers University in the USA.
 
Frazer Siddall (Robbins College USA) is once again included in the squad, following his 2007 World University Games experience, having just graduated from Rollins College and now playing for Western Knights in Australia’s ‘A’ league.
 
Great Britain Head Coach Graeme Dell has included no less than eight students with previous World University Games experience in Bangkok, which he sees as important to the makeup of the squad: “We have to look at a four year cycle with these players, and playing just once isn’t the answer. We have to be thorough in our scouting process and we need experienced players to come back stronger and improved two years later and these lads have all done that.”
 
Graeme Dell continued: “This squad has lots of potential and I have every confidence in the players I’ve selected and I am excited to work with them. This is a tough competition where we have to be resilient and I have selected an athletic squad of talented players who all have potential. This is an opportunity to play on a world stage and these players will, I am sure, grasp that opportunity to catapult their careers to the next level. Tournament play is about a varied squad with strength in depth and I’ve been diligent and precise to ensure that we have a good blend”.
 
The squad has assembled for the first time at Lilleshall for a 10-day Preparation Camp, which will include two games against League of Wales Europa Cup entrants TNS. 

TNS will be looking to prepare themselves for their qualifiers, which take place in late July, and as such should they should provide the perfect warm-up for the squad.
 
Great Britain has been drawn in Pool A and will face tough opposition in their opening match against Mexico, this will be followed by hosts Serbia and finally Ghana to end the group stage on July 4th. A top two place in Pool A would ensure progress to the top 8 and secure inclusion for the Games in 2011.

Full squad:
 
Goalkeepers
Ryszard GORSKI          Fordham University USA
Frazer SIDDALL            Rollins College USA / Western Knights FC AUS
Jonathon McLAUGHLIN Leeds Metropolitan University / Bradford City FC
 
Defenders
Matthew TOWNLEY      Kings College London / Team Bath FC
Gary WARREN             University of Bath / Team Bath FC
Exodus GEOGHAN       Wolverhampton University / Kettering Town FC
Ben PURKISS              York College of Law / York City FC
Stuart HAYERS            Lynn University USA
Korede AIYEGBOUSI    North Carolina State University USA
 
Midfield
Rob YOUHILL               Hofstra University USA
Kieran HALL                  Fort Lewis College USA
Clark BRADFORD        Christian Brothers University USA
Tom SETTLE                Fort Lewis College USA
Daniel STOTT               San Diego State University USA
Chris MOORE               University of Teeside / Whitley Bay FC
Scott McCUBBIN          Nottingham University / Burton Albion FC
 
Forwards
Chris CERRONI            Rollins College USA / Chicago Storm FC
Dan BULLEY                State University of New York - Buffalo USA
Euan PURCELL            Fort Lewis College USA
Craig SUTHERLAND    Midwestern State University USA