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24 july 2002
Long Summer.
It's been
a long summer, quite eventful but now most teams are back for pre-season
training. My contract at Wimbledon came to an end on 30th June but because
of an agreement in all football league contracts if I fail to find a club
then Wimbledon have to pay me a months wages so really my deal truly runs
out on 31st July. I'm currently training with my old team mates down at
the Richardson Evans training ground but it's looking more and more like
I'm going to have to move on soon. The season is still 3 weeks away but
it would be nice to have a deal somewhere and be playing in that first
league game on 10th August.
Not having a contract at Wimbledon means that I'm not able to play in
any of the pre-season games and I missed out on the trip to Finland that
the boys went on last week. Apparently it was a decent trip and they came
back with 3 wins although Willo said to me today that the opposition wasn't
much kop out there.
There has been reports about clubs interested in me, Preston, where I
was on loan last season,and Stoke, where my old manager John Rudge is
involved, seem to be the main two at the moment. But with my deal effectivley
running till the end of July then I am taking my time and do not want
to rush into anything. This next move has to be right for me, I turned
29 in May and they reckon that these are your best years so the right
club is vital. I want to be happy at my next club and injury free so I
can show people what they have been missing in the last 3 years. Hopefully
the 2 years I missed with injury will be added on to my career at the
end and I will be playing till I'm 37!
No new signings to report at Wimbledon, not even a trialist which is amazing,
I dont think I've ever been at a club in pre-season where there isn't
at least one new face. There are some old faces that will not be seen
again though, Dean Blackwell, Andy Roberts, Alan Kimble (who I think is
now with Luton) and maybe myself and Neal Ardley could be going for good.
These are really testing times for players and in the current footballing
climate clubs are proving very hard to find. Dean and Andy have nothing
solid yet which is worrying especially when you think that one is an accomplished
Premier League centre half and the other was worth £1.6 million
only 4 years ago. I really hope they both get sorted out soon as they
both have loads to offer yet. I think Alan Kimble is with Joe Kinnear
and Mick Harford down at Luton as I said, and Neal Ardley is in a similar
situation to myself, ie. Wimbledon have said there may be something there
for us but we will have to wait. The question is "how long"?
However long it may be we both want to be sorted out by the first game
of the season which is only 3 weeks away.
It's very true that the Nationwide leagues are suffering badly as a result
of the ITV Digital fiasco. Even with the Sky money now, most clubs are
starting off in debt. I have loads of friends in football especially the
lower leagues and I know that a lot of them are struglling to find clubs.
It doesnt seem fair when you hear of 30 million pound transfers going
on in a league that any club could reach in 1, 2 or 3 seasons.
One thing to report this week is that my very good mate Kenny Cunningham
signed for Birmingham. I am well pleased for him. He is the ultimate professional
and deserves everything he gets, he was always first in and last to leave
and always had an ear ready to listen if you needed that. Just remember
those free tickets against Blackburn Ken!
There was one more event in the summer I have not mentioned, no not the
World Cup or Wimbledon tennis which I'm sure your all sick of hearing
about. It was my marraige to Betty on June 1st, a great day with most
of my footballing friends from various clubs attended. I thought I had
to get this in otherwise my new wife would have killed me. Any way off
now to do all those husbandy type things.
All the best to everyone this season which ever club they are behind ;-)
Gareth.
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