Handyside To Rejoin Mariners?

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 01/04/2003

THE Grimsby Telegraph reports today that Peter Handyside could be heading back to Blundell Park after admitting he will be leaving Stoke City in the summer.

The 28-year-old Potters skipper is being released in a bid to slash the Britannia Stadium wage bill.

Handyside's contract stipulated he would get another year and a big pay rise if he played 35 games this season. But Stoke dropped him as the appearance target was imminent and they did not have the cash to fulfil their promise.

An agreement was finally reached but Handyside will leave the Potters instead of signing a new contract.

"You could say I'm not holding my breath," said Handyside, "It's been an interesting few weeks and it's been difficult to stay focused, but the immediate job in hand is the much bigger issue of keeping this club in the first division."

"I have to admit it's hurting, hurting a lot. But that's personal and you don't shout about these kind of things from the rooftops and look for any sympathy. I haven't known whether I'm coming or going. The more games I've played I've known it was coming to the fore."

"There was a time when I thought I'd played my last game for the club because of it all. It was out of mine and the gaffer's hands because it was a situation he inherited. It's been a difficult decision because I've got a family to provide for like everyone else. You just have to keep going knowing that you're looking for another job."

Paul Groves has refused to rule out a move for Handyside but has made no commitment. "We have to wait and see what the situation is here. We can't yes or no to anything at the moment."END

Ed: The Fishy predicted this move some time ago in an article by Paul Holmes.

Handyside To Leave Stoke! Click here for that story!

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