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Owls trial for old boy
SHEFFIELD-born footballer Ryan France will join the Owls for the start of pre-season training tomorrow - bidding to earn himself a Hillsborough future at the second attempt.
He was on the club's books as a schoolboy but was not offered an apprenticeship and went into non-league football before becoming a Hull City stalwart.
The versatile 28-year-old has now been released by the Tigers and is being given a trial by Owls boss Brian Laws.
France, said to be a Wednesday fan, spent six years with Hull and has left with a glowing tribute from manager Phil Brown.
Laws revealed: "We have been talking to Ryan. He is coming to train with us, and we are keeping our eye on him. We'll take a look at him and see where we go from there."
France has the distinction of having played for Hull in all four divisions.
Tigers boss Brown said: "I sincerely hope he gets a club where he can play regular football. He's been a great professional who deserves success."
France has played on the wing, in centre midfield and at right-back.
He was with Alfreton for two years up to 2003 and joined Hull for 15,000 after completing a degree course in Nottingham. He is a graduate in sports exercise science and mathematics.
France's Hull career was interrupted for almost a year after he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in February, 2007, but he was back last season to play against Arsenal and complete the set of having played in all four divisions. After Hull broke into the Premier League for the first time, he made only seven first-team appearances, mostly in the cups.
n Marcus Tudgay's agent, ex-Owls player Darryl Powell, has revealed that Burnley told him some weeks ago that they admired Tudgay.
But the Owls, who agreed a new contract with the striker, have denied reports that the Clarets have since made a 1 million-plus bid.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
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