Snippets: Walton's Recovery...Shimmin at Gillingham...Taylor Negotiations...Langley Obit

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UPDATE 9:30am

Birminham Official Site - Blues boss Alex McLeish has told Martin Taylor that he can leave the club "if the right club comes in for him".... "I've spoken to Martin and he's down the pecking order and I've said that if the right club comes in for him it will be time for him to move on," said McLeish. "He's done well for Norwich and Martin's performances have helped them climb up off the bottom of the table.
"There are one or two (clubs) interested in Martin and his agent and Martin himself are weighing those up. "I think Queens Park Rangers are in the hunt and they are in negotiations with Karren (Brady)." Birmingham

QPR Official Site - COMEBACK KID
R's Head Physio Paul Hunter believes 'no praise is too high' where comeback kid Simon Walton is concerned.
Walton returned to action against Burnley at Turf Moor on Tuesday night, following a five month spell on the sidelines with a fractured fibula.
And Hunter, who has tracked his every move since the unfortunate injury against Fulham in pre-season, is adamant the player will be stronger and fitter than ever after a gruelling period of rehabilitation.
"His whole approach to the injury has been first class and no praise can be too high for him," Hunter told www.qpr.co.uk.
"It can be really hard to motivate players when they're injured, but Wally has been excellent throughout the whole rehabilitation process."
After joining the Club from Charlton Athletic in the summer, Walton's injury came at the worst possible time.
"He found it quite tough to deal with early on," explained Hunter.
"But to be fair to him, and credit where it is due, he's dealt with the setbacks and everything else he's had thrown at him in a first class manner."
Hunter added: "Seeing him throw himself into that first tackle on Tuesday night was a bit of a heart-stopping moment, but he picked himself up, dusted himself down and came off the pitch with his team-mates celebrating his first competitive win in a QPR shirt.
"We've still got to be cautious with him and he's doing extra sessions after training to build up his fitness, but he's well on his way back and that can only be good for Wally and QPR." QPR

Dominic Shimmin is the Eighth QPR-connected player at Gillingham (Along with Simon Royce, Steve Lomas, Andy Miller, Leroy Griffiths, Dennis Oli, Shabbaz Baidoo and Aaron Brown)

Gillingham Official Site - Manager, Mark Stimpson Q&A
Q: QPR defender Dominc Shimmin has trained with the club this week. How is he doing?
A: Quite well. He played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Ebbsfleet United and he is continuing to train with us.
Q: Is he in contention for the weekend?
A:No, he can't play because of the transfer window.
Gillingham

See Also: Update on Shimmin's Bournemouth Exit

Every club with whom Jim Langley was associated has only the warmest memories of Jim Langley, whose death was announced yesterday.

BRIGHTON ARGUS - Former Albion full-back Langley dies By John Vinicombe

Jimmy Langley, lionised by all Albion supporters in the mid-50s and one of the finest left-backs of his generation, has died aged 78.
Although Langley's career at the Goldstone spanned only four years, during which time he made 178 appearances, his reputation was further enhanced when stepping up in class to Fulham and subsequent England honours.
Between 1953 and 1957 Langley was a member of a very good side assembled by Billy Lane, who spotted him in army football.
As soon as Langley was out of khaki he joined Lane at Guildford City and then moved to Leeds United. There he was used briefly on the wing only to be released and Lane gratefully committed £1,500 of Albion's money to bring him to the Goldstone.
He never made a better signing. A natural leader, Langley was captain for two seasons and hardly ever missed a game.
But when Fulham called in February, 1957 with a cheque for £12,000 Langley went to the Cottage and formed a partnership with George Cohen. During his Albion days Jimmy played for England B, the Football League and toured with the FA so it was no surprise when he moved up in class.
Three full England caps followed but the old habits remained. While others took holdalls on away matches Langley was content to stick a flat hat on his crew cut and pop a toothbrush in the top pocket of his jacket.
Superstitious to a degree he always tapped the left-hand post with each boot before the kick-off of every game.
Langley's last League club was QPR where, aged 38, he won a Third Division (South) championship medal and a League Cup winner's gong. Further distinction came as player-coach of Hillingdon Borough when leading them to Wembley in 1971 in the FA Trophy final won by Telford.
At the age of 42 he became trainer-coach at Crystal Palace before returning to Hillingdon.
For a full-back to score 57 goals in 585 League appearances is testimony to a player the like of which we shall never see again. Argus

See Also:
Ron Norris/QPR Net Langley Obit/Profile
Other Langley Obits from QPR, Fulham and Hillingdon