LL in Contract Talks

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 16/02/2001

"Just because he is not in the team, does not in any way reflect my opinion of Peter Handyside. He has had injuries and illness since I've been here and at the moment Paul Groves and Zhang Enhua are reasonably sound as a pairing and I have not wished to break that partnership up."

"But Peter is a very good player and I will be doing my utmost to keep him at the club. We will be making an offer to him very shortly."

So said Manager Lennie Lawrence today on Mariners Net. Lawrence, announcing that negotiations are now commencing with all players who are out of contract this summer, was answering the concerns of supporters, some of whom felt that Handyside was out of favour.

Wayne Burnett another crowd favourite who, by choice, is on a month-to-month contract was also singled out by Lawrence as a player who figured in his long-term plans.

With Livingstone already signed for a further two years, the likelihood that Groves will sign shortly and talks with McDermott in progress, Lawrence still has a long list of players to negotiate new terms with.

• Kingsley Black
• Matthew Bloomer.
• Wayne Burnett
• Danny Butterfield
• Daryl Clare
• Stacy Coldicott
• Kevin Donovan
• Tony Gallimore
• Peter Handyside
• Andy Smith
• Richard Smith

All of whom who are soon out of contract and still unsure of their future at Blundell Park. Quite rightly, Lawrence has not yet indicated if there are players he sees as no longer required. If there are any and he has not in any way suggested there are, GTFC might do better to re-negotiate new deals with them and transfer them later on for a fee rather than letting them go for free when their contracts end.

A player not included was Menno Willems who continues his loan period but Lawrence is hoping to negotiate a contract with the Dutch powerhouse in the near future.

Next Story: Burnley Preview

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