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Burton broadside
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Frank Northwood claimed victory in the Richard Denby transfer tussle last night – and then launched a broadside at Burton Albion.
The Gresley Rovers boss revealed that Albion’s bid to sign the talented midfielder was always bound for failure.“Burton forgot one thing – money can’t buy loyalty and in Richard Denby we are talking about a player loyal to his present manager and club.”
Northwood also claimed that Gresley and the Brewers were poles apart in their valuation of the player.
“Richard didn’t want to leave Gresley so what Burton had to offer didn’t really come into it, but I think it’s only right that the fans of both clubs are made aware of the facts.
“We value Richard at £10,000, though we wouldn’t necessarily say ‘yes’ even to that unless it was a League side coming in when obviously we wouldn’t want to stand in his way. But Burton’s offer was a poor one for a big club who say they have ambitions of playing in the Football League. They really disappointed me.
“They offered us £2,000 down, £2,000 after 35 games – that could be next season – a friendly game and a non-contract player who I could sign for nothing in seven days’ time. That in the view of everyone at Gresley does not add up to a generous offer.”
Northwood also took Albion to task over their assertion that Denby had no proven record in a higher grade of non-league football.
He said: “I would remind Burton Albion that four years ago I sold a young man named Phil Gee to Derby County. Basically he was a Sunday footballer who’d had five games for us, but they were still prepared to pay £5,000. Burton also seem to have forgotten that about three years ago they sold a midfield player (Paul Bancroft) to another non-league club (Kidderminster) for £12,000, so I don’t think our valuation of Richard Denby is unrealistic.
“What pleased me most of all about this business is that it didn’t take Richard more than two minutes to decide he was staying at Gresley.”
Brewers’ chairman Sam Brassington said: “Just as Gresley have their view on Richard Denby’s valuation, then we have ours. My message to Frank Northood is to stop mixing it and stop stirring it and get on with his football. Let’s keep the goodwill going between the clubs.
“Frank says things with the biggest tongue-in-cheek in football.”
