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Motherwell FC News |
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December 2000
Friday, December 1
Today's newspapers confirm that Bradford City boss Jim Jeffries
has made an offer for Stevie McMillan, ranging from £700,000 to £750,000
depending on what paper you read. According to the Daily Record, the clubs
are close to doing
business and the player could be paraded at Valley Parade by the weekend.
Pat Nevin is quoted as saying:
"I've spoken to Jim Jefferies and the clubs are nearing an agreement.
The only stumbling block would appear to be the method of payment. Bradford have
made bids and we are a miniscule amount apart."
Meanwhile, the Sun reports that John Boyle has stalled on the
deal and is holding out for £1 million. Jim Jeffries is quoted as saying:
"It looks like the deal is going to fall through. We just couldn't
agree a fee. We made an offer which I felt was fair, but they rejected
it. I rate the lad but our interest has cooled."
It's looking more and more likely that Andy Goram will not be
with the club next season. The 36-year-old 'keeper has rejected
Motherwell's offer of a new one-year deal and is free to talk to other clubs
outside of
Scotland from January 1. Pat Nevin said:
"Andy was made an offer and he has not accepted it yet. We did not have
a shouting match and there was no row. As to whether or not Andy will be
around next season that is something myself, Andy and his agent will have to
discuss. I've spoken to Andy and he was quite cool about it all but talks
are continuing."
Goram was keen to point out that discussions so far have been amicable:
"I want to make it clear I was not being greedy. I wanted a three-year
deal with the same money I have been on for the past two years. Motherwell
have offered me a one-year deal with substantially less money as they are
working within first-team budget constraints and as a provincial club I can
fully respect that decision. But Motherwell know I am perfectly within my
rights to start talking to other clubs from January 1 and they understand my
position and respect that fully."
Billy Davies also played down suggestions of a row brewing with Goram:
"There is no problem with myself and Andy Goram whatsoever. The
decision to drop Goram was a football one pure and simple. I thought Stevie
Woods was justified to come back into the side. We made a football
decision and Andy has to accept that. He has been out a long time through injury
but he came in training with the rest of the players after the St Mirren
match. I still feel Andy needs a couple of more games under his
belt. It was a tough decision to make but that is why I am the manager of
Motherwell Football Club. I don't think age matters to be honest and Andy
is a player who I believe can go on for a number of years because of his
ability. Things have changed at this club and in Scottish football in
general and players have to be realistic about the situation and what is going
on. The Bosman ruling is a wonderful thing for players as they now have
options to sit back and see what's available to them. Motherwell have to
work within the parameters of our budget and we will make our offers to the players. If that is acceptable great, if not and
they can get better deals elsewhere then that's football. That is the way
the game is going now and we would be delighted if these guys signed new
contracts. But players are very clever and two months down the line they
know they can maybe get better deals elsewhere. Players are perfectly within their
rights to do that but at the same time we have a football club to run
here."
BD added that Goram would remain 'Well skipper:
"Andy Goram is the captain of the club. Ged Brannan is only the
skipper when Andy does not play and nothing has changed on that front."
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