Keeper Hall still confident of Plymouth Argyle deal
Bermuda international goalkeeper Freddy Hall insists English League One side Plymouth Argyle are still interested in signing him on a permanent deal.Hall said he had been assured by Plymouth manager Peter Reid that the club remained keen for him to return to Home Park despite their current financial crisis.The 25-year-old completed a successful trial at the club in pre-season and was due to head back there next month with a view to signing a professional contract.But the Pilgrims' financial woes seem to have temporarily put the skids on that arrangement, with the club running the risk of going out of business unless they find new investment.The club and a related company, Home Park Properties Limited, have until February 9 to pay tax debts of £760,000 to HM Revenue and Customs, or they face being wound up.Their players and coaches finally received part of their wages for November yesterday, with Reid reportedly dipping into his own pocket to pay for heating oil for the offices at Home Park.Hall, though, still hopes to get another chance to impress Reid and his assistant Paul Mariner in the not too distant future, and revealed there had also been interest from other English clubs.“I've heard back from Plymouth, we're still in talks with them,” he said. “We're waiting to hear back from them right now but they've had some financial issues that they're dealing with.“(Peter Reid) still wants me to go out there real bad, but there are other options right now so we're waiting on a few things.”The St. George's Colts shot stopper spent two weeks on trial at Plymouth after being recommended to them by Bermuda Hogges' co-owner Paul Scope, who is a close friend of Mariner, and former West Ham striker Clyde Best.He joined up with the team on their pre-season tour of Holland where he played in a 3-3 draw against First Division team SC Cambuur.“It was a great experience,” Hall said of his trial back in July. “(Plymouth) have a lot of history, a great fan base, a great team and a first class facility.”Last year Hall was one of five ‘keepers invited to the annual MLS player trials but turned down the opportunity because he had already set his heart on a move to the UK. Hall said he had no plans to return to the US where he starred for Division One college soccer team, Quinnipiac.“I've heard some talk about the MLS but to be honest I don't want to go back to the US.”Considering the financial health of cash-strapped Plymouth, Scope believed it would not be the best climate for Hall's return.“I know Peter Reid and Paul Mariner want Freddy to go back but things are up in the air at the moment because of Plymouth's financial dilemma,” said Scope.“He was due to return in January but I imagine the club are watching every penny at the moment so it probably wouldn't be the best environment to send Freddy over there at this time.“But we're still hopeful that through our relationship with Plymouth's current coaching staff that Freddy will get the chance that was promised to him.”Plymouth are currently 15th in the League One table.