Breaking News Francis Rejects Move

[macima]

On OS: http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1926006,00.html

"Southend United wishes to confirm that it received a bid from a Championship side for defender Simon Francis yesterday.

Before Christmas the same side enquired as to whether the Club was prepared to sell Simon Francis and made an initial offer.This was declined as we did not wish to sell Simon.

On Tuesday the Club in question improved their offer substantially and it was accepted.

It is always difficult when a Club from a higher division comes in for a player because we would not wish to stand in the way of a player's progression. Every player wishes to compete at the highest level.

The Manager, and the Chairman agrees, feel that in the spirit of openness all players should be told of any interest.

Simon was reluctantly given permission to talk to the interested side today but they have been unable to agree personal terms.

Obviously it goes without saying that we are delighted to be keeping Simon Francis and we hope he will continue to be a mainstay in the squad."

Mark Mac

 

[EastStandBlue]

If Franno's rejected it I can only imagine it would've been an offer from the likes of Scunthorpe or Posh, teams who are likely to come down. Fair play to Franno though, he could've easily buggered off somewhere for a larger pay packet.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Wow, player loyalty. Nice one Franno.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Oooh I wonder which team it was.

Well done Mr Francis, shows he must be fairly happy here - and presumably been paid ok, if his wages had been late/unpaid I'd would have thought he'd be off quicker than you can say "Preston 7 Colchester Nil".

 

[tottenham541]

francis would be a big loss if he went and hard to replace with no one at the club at the moment comes close to what he gives the side.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

Wow, player loyalty. Nice one Franno.

Still won't stop people getting on his back on Saturday / whenever the next game is on though :madman:

 

[Pubey]

It seems to show that even if there is financial issues around the club, then it doesn't seem to be affecting the players to the extent that some of the posters on here seem to think. Grant signed a new contract, and Franno has rejected an offer, so things can't be that bad.

Personally I think it's great, Francis is an excellent player (and a reasonable defender!) and we need to keep our best players and add to our squad.

 

[SUFCStu]

Looks like it was peterborough

From some of there sites..

"Cooper is also closing in on the signature of a 24 year-old right-back currently with a League One club, but who does have Championship experience."

the et today suggests we are closing in on a 24 year old right back currently with a League One club with championship experience.i think its either Simon Francis of southend or Richard Duffy of exeter but i have heard its Johny Mullins of stockport but he has got any championship experience.so who do people think it is?

 

[Pubey]

Good to see that Franno watches the first 7/8s of the Football League Show, and doesn't just fast forward to the 30seconds of Southend highlights. Posh are heading back to League 1, and I doubt Franno wants a sideways move

 

[Andyhsufc]

I wonder if another club is waiting in the wings for him and that is why he rejected this offer.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

I wonder if another club is waiting in the wings for him and that is why he rejected this offer.

Congratulations on spoiling the mood. :'(:(

 

[canveyshrimper]

Good to see that Franno watches the first 7/8s of the Football League Show, and doesn't just fast forward to the 30seconds of Southend highlights. Posh are heading back to League 1, and I doubt Franno wants a sideways move

Indeed they are, with an inexperienced manager, it also looks like MacLean will be on his bike sooner or later.

 

[Cricko]

Wow, player loyalty. Nice one Franno.

I don't quite see that ..morso he would like a better offer.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Indeed they are, with an inexperienced manager, it also looks like MacLean will be on his bike sooner or later.

To Leeds according to the currant bun!

 

[canveyshrimper]

I don't quite see that ..morso he would like a better offer.

Indeed, or from a club that won't be at this level next season.

 

[Swiss Tony]

I reckon cardiff,i know of at least 5 games where a scout had looked at him.

 

[Shrimper_Wez]

Somebody close the window, its getting cold!

 

[Firestorm]

I don't quite see that ..morso he would like a better offer.

Thats how I read it, it was the personal terms he didn't like not the actual club. If it was the club he didn't fancy he wouldn't have spoken to them in the first place.

So either he wants a bigger increase in his package than Posh were offering , we are paying him more than Posh offered or his agent reckons that someone will be in before the window is up who will offer more than peterbro'

 

[Shrimper_Wez]

...So either he wants a bigger increase in his package than Posh were offering

I thought we were talking money?

 

[SUFCStu]

Even if Francis does move on

We always have Sankofa :(