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The Iconoclast

Pure gossip from the Manor every Monday.

27 March 2000

Oxford are strongly rumoured to be in the hunt for two Italian players, Alessandro Zeno and Angelo Conti. Both players are currently turning out for Serie 'C' semi-professional outfit Siena. Both are out of contract in May 2000. Their details have been circulated on Agentlink:
 

  • Alessandro Zeno. Born Perugia 21/11/72. Central Defender. 5'11.
  • Clubs: Genoa 12/90 to 5/96. No first team appearances; Perugia 7/96 to 11/98. 3(4), 1 goal; Siena 11/98 to present. 42(1), 1 goal. OOC 5/2000. 2 Italy U-19 caps.
  • Languages: Italian (fl), English (ba), French (ba).
  • Biography: Combative centre-back who has captained Siena for most of this season. Failed to break into the Genoa setup, and was severly limited at Perugia for a first-team place. Out-of-contract May 2000, and will consider moving abroad. Particularly keen on playing in England.
  • Scout (HJA): Committed, hard and skillful. Has picked up 2 yellow cards on watching for foul and abusive language (in one case at a fellow-player). Recommended for English Division 3/2.


  • Angelo Conti. Born Palermo 1/9/77. Centre Forward. 6'1.
  • Clubs: Napoli 7/93 to 5/95. 0(2); Piacenza 10/96 to 6/97. No first team appearances; Empoli 8/97 to 12/98. 8(13), 4 goals; Siena 11/99 to present. 16(2), 17 goals. OOC 5/2000.
  • Languages: Italian (fl), English (ba).
  • Biography: Tall and mobile with bags of technique, and beginning to rebuild his career after the Empoli problems. Conti was arrested in November 1998 on suspicion of involvement in a contract killing in nearby Florence (the industrialist Daniello Berzin was shot dead outside a nightclub in April 1998). He was sacked by Empoli for unspecified reasons shortly after being arrested (rumoured to be embezzlement: three other players were also dismissed). Due to lack of evidence on the murder charge, Conti was released in September 1999 and has been playing for Siena on a part-time basis. Particularly keen on moving to England.
  • Scout (PS): Recommended for English Division 2/3. Excellent player with very apparent 'attitude'. Prolific at his current level. Extremely vocal and liable to histrionics on a regular basis. Would strongly recommend to any English clubs that contract negotiations are handled through a reputable agent.


    • Overheard conversation of the week

    Denis Smith (DS) and one of the groundstaff. Friday 24 March.

    Denis walks out of the players tunnel and shouts over to one of the groundsman:

  • DS: Have you still got my [sounded like] shovel?
  • GM: Yeah, Mick put it back in your office, yeah
  • DS: Where?
  • GM: In your office
  • DS: Where?
  • GM: By the cabinet
  • DS: Oh.


    • Denis walks back down the tunnel. Groundsman walks off pitch and into the Manor Club.

    Two minutes later: Denis walks out of the tunnel again, looks around and then also walks over to the Manor Club.


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