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Transfer Troubles

By: Dave Boylen
Date: 22/08/2006

I am writing this column before the home cup game against Crewe. At this present moment in time the Mariners are a little bit in limbo, the frustrations of the transfer market are proving to be a task for all concerned at Blundell Park.

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The arrival of Martin McIntosh, the experienced centre back from Huddersfield, in my eyes was certainly a boost to the frailties of the Town defence, which has conceded seven goals in four matches.

Against Mansfield you could see that as the game progressed and McIntosh got to be more familiar with his new team mates he began to exert his authority onto the rest of the team. If he continues to improve in his month long loan period, although he his nearly 35 years old, then Town could possibly come to a agreement with Huddersfield to keep him at the club for the rest of the season, which would in my eyes be a good acquisition.

Town fans are waiting with great anticipation, as to who this elusive tough-tackling midfielder is. I have got my own ideas, but the way this transfer market is now there are so many obstacles in the way. Clubs at Town's level of football don't pay transfer fees, they just agree terms with the player. One of the big snags is the re-location of houses. If Town for instance are only offering a one year contract, would you move your wife and kids to the other side of the country and possibly have legal fees to pay, and also in a lot of cases paying more for a house in Cleethorpes than Bury in Lancashire?

These problems all come into transfer negotiations and I am sure that is one of the reasons that up to the present we have not secured players. Also most footballers would not mind coming on loan to test out the football club's accreditations. If they like what they see and the club is buzzing they will sign a contract and take a chance with their families.

I know that the whole club is fiercely working very hard indeed to bring in new players. There have been so many frustrations and disappointments in the last few weeks, but Graham Rodger will get his men, that I do believe. By the time you read this article we will know the result of the game against Crewe. Town go to Bury on Saturday, then follow up with two home games on the bounce against Macclesfield and Walsall. I think that by then Town will have some new players on their books.


Feedback from Last Week: I've got a lot of respect for the way Dave Boylen champions the cause of GTFC but his article on this site posting the blame for the fall out on Radio Humberside's shoulders is way off the mark, Dave. The club's PR is legendary throughout football. Ask Phil Jevons? Radio Humberside in my humble opinion do GTFC a massive favour covering their games I couldn't believe they had to pay for the privilege. Yet again another PR disaster. The club is run by amateurs at the moment. two4two

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