Elliot Ward - The Story!

[saint_stevo]

I am a bit glad that we didn’t sign ward and seabourne. Would have looked like AP thought the best way to solve our lack of clean sheets was to buy as many CB's as possible…..just hope we got the right one.

[MerceSaint28]

Personally i think this is a bit worrying and possibly the first piece of bad business the club has done under the new ownership. Why go through the whole process of agreeing terms with the player and the club if we were not going to go through with it???

 

Ward would of cost nothing and come on an 18 month deal, Seabourn cost 250k and would of been cheaper in wages but overall Seabourn cost more not less than Ward.

 

If we had wanted Seabourn from the start, i have no problem with that, it would never of been a problem signing him as Exeter are a tiny club. Clearly Ward was first choice and unless he failed a medical which was reported, i think this was a pretty unprofesional thing to do by Saints and Coventry are rightly fuming.

 

Personally im not convinced by Seabourn, i hope to be proved wrong. I don't see why we are buying projects when we can afford to buy the complete article especially in a depressed market.

 

Well lets hope we can some damn pace in this team as its slow in all areas

[OldNick]

I wonder if it was the case that the club felt that Ward did not make his mind up quickly enough. IMO players who are slow in signing are usually not as committed as some.

As I put yesterday I knew a player had a medical friday and there were ranglings about terms. I dont know what player that was, but perhaps

[iansums]

Some people on here need to rewind the clock back 6 months and remember where we were then. I for one have absolute faith in AP and NC to make the right signings and at the right price.

[Scudamore]

Can't really see why we'd want three high wage earners fighting for one position anyway...and that's ignoring Thomas...

 

Certainly don't feel sorry for Ward having the deal fall through at the last minute...if he and his agent weren't so greedy then this wouldn't happen. Being one of the highest wage earners at Coventry he ain't gonna be asking for small change from us. And since he can get a free transfer with a signing on fee come the summer and Coventry are treating it like a free transfer now i'm pretty sure he'd be asking for a hefty signing on fee...

 

Now if like Fonte he were playing well and in a good position to make such demands then fair enough. But we all know that Pardew thought it was a risk as he had said in his radio interview. Thus the greedy footballer with overinflated sense of self-worth perpetuated by greedy agent looking to get his twenty per cent of hefty signing on fee can f::ck off back to greedy town as far as i'm concerned.

 

All based on assumptions of course...but you're all doing it so why shouldn't i?

 

The medical thing doesn't ring true with me somehow though.

[Saint Malc]

I am very disapointed with Saints on this one.Ward was definately a far better signing in my opinion.Trust me to get hopeful with Saints with mention of Stock,Danns and Ward.As the days go on it looks like none of them will be coming here and after the speculation that is highly disappointing!!Has anyone got some concrete news on Stock or Danns?

 

Have you seen any of Ward's 4 performances for CCFC this season in order to draw this conclusion? It sounds like any name is in the frame to some fans even if they're no good. He doesn't play for CCFC for a good reason you know.

[S-Clarke]

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4849960.Elliott__gutted__after_Saints_pull_out_of_deal_at_11th_hour/

 

sounds a bit messy to me

[Genk]

I trust Pardew. Seaborne is a younger CB who he clearly rates, so I am not going to argue. Yes it would have been nice to see Ward play for us but perhaps another CB wasn't needed in all honesty. If it was down to Ward asking for more wages at the last minute then I'm glad NC called it off. Having greedy players is not what we need. I'm looking forward to seeing Seaborne develop under AP.

[saint_stevo]

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4849960.Elliott__gutted__after_Saints_pull_out_of_deal_at_11th_hour/

 

sounds a bit messy to me

 

Feel sorry for Ward.

[kpturner]

Haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this suggestion has already been made - but Cortese's is already being known to be one who insists that transfer dealings (and plans for training ground redevelopment) are done behind closed doors. He alledgedly told Eastleigh the Martin deal would be called off if any of the parties involved started spouting off to the media before it was completed. Maybe he pulled the plug on the Ward deal because it was plastered all over SSN prematurely. The Seaborne signing was, by comparison, quite a surprise to most (apart from all the ITKs here of course). Just a thought.....could be another much more plausible explanation.

Edited 14 January, 2010 by kpturner

[Scudamore]

Feel sorry for Ward.

 

He will be earning well over half a million pound a year and will be smashing a woman you would give your left nut to do. And another club will come along to pay his demands.

 

Do not feel sorry for him.

[Huntingdon]

Haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this suggestion has already been made - but Cortese's is already being known to be one who insists that transfer dealings (and plans for training ground redevelopment) are done behind closed doors. He alledgedly told Eastleigh the Martin deal would be called off if any of the parties involved started spouting off to the media before it was completed. Maybe he pulled the plug on the Ward deal because it was plastered all over SSN prematurely. The Seaborne signing was, by comparison, quite a surprise to most (apart from all the ITKs here of course). Just a thought.....could be anopther much more plausible explanation.

 

I obviously thank the day ML & NC arrived, but the more I hear of NC's behaviour, the more he sounds like a petulant dictator

[Third Division South Days]

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4849960.Elliott__gutted__after_Saints_pull_out_of_deal_at_11th_hour/

 

sounds a bit messy to me

 

Gives the Echo a chance to turn out another negative story. Would have to read the full article but there would appear to be little attempt to present the clubs take on events.This transfer story has been out there for nearly two weeks so there have obviously been problems in completing. I suggest delays are not all down to SFC.

[kpturner]

If it was down to Ward asking for more wages at the last minute then I'm glad NC called it off. Having greedy players is not what we need.

LOL - talk about jumping to conclusions! (he say's - aware of the irony given his last post). According to the press the whole deal - including terms - was done and dusted barring the signature. I don't think there is any suggestion of a extra wage demand is there?

[Secret Site Agent]

Haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this suggestion has already been made - but Cortese's is already being known to be one who insists that transfer dealings (and plans for training ground redevelopment) are done behind closed doors. He alledgedly told Eastleigh the Martin deal would be called off if any of the parties involved started spouting off to the media before it was completed. Maybe he pulled the plug on the Ward deal because it was plastered all over SSN prematurely. The Seaborne signing was, by comparison, quite a surprise to most (apart from all the ITKs here of course). Just a thought.....could be another much more plausible explanation.

 

I got to be honest, I don't blame him for wanting to do deals behind closed doors. This at least stops the negative influences from coming through, stops other clubs knowing what you are upto and getting into a bidding war and stops 'others' from putting their oar in.

[merrimd]

Something aint right. Surely noone goes and says good bye to team mates BEFORE actually signing the contract! That just sounds like madness to me.

 

I dont understand how the whole transfer stuff works, granted, but surely there is a contract with stuff in it. You like the stuff, you sign it there and then. You dont like the stuff, you ask for it to be changed. You then get the new contract, you now like the stuff, you sign the contract. Why did he not sign the contract?

[Genk]

LOL - talk about jumping to conclusions! (he say's - aware of the irony given his last post). According to the press the whole deal - including terms - was done and dusted barring the signature. I don't think there is any suggestion of a extra wage demand is there?

 

I said 'if' based on what somebody else posted earlier today.

[Third Division South Days]

Haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this suggestion has already been made - but Cortese's is already being known to be one who insists that transfer dealings (and plans for training ground redevelopment) are done behind closed doors. He alledgedly told Eastleigh the Martin deal would be called off if any of the parties involved started spouting off to the media before it was completed. Maybe he pulled the plug on the Ward deal because it was plastered all over SSN prematurely. The Seaborne signing was, by comparison, quite a surprise to most (apart from all the ITKs here of course). Just a thought.....could be another much more plausible explanation.

 

How long will it be before AP walks if every plaver he wants to sign is dependent on the media not finding out about it. Get real.

[kpturner]

I got to be honest, I don't blame him for wanting to do deals behind closed doors. This at least stops the negative influences from coming through, stops other clubs knowing what you are upto and getting into a bidding war and stops 'others' from putting their oar in.

Very true. Most of the transfers so far have been done quite discreetly. I would just hate to think that we lost the signature of a potentially excellent signing in the future just because somebody blabs prematurely - i.e cutting off our nose to spite our face.

[Gingeletiss]

I obviously thank the day ML & NC arrived, but the more I hear of NC's behaviour, the more he sounds like a petulant dictator

 

Lol.....and you're baseing this on rumours on a message board. Too many on here become experts on heresay, wait for facts, there could be a very simple explaination, and I'm sure the truth of this will come out.

[John B]

Haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this suggestion has already been made - but Cortese's is already being known to be one who insists that transfer dealings (and plans for training ground redevelopment) are done behind closed doors. He alledgedly told Eastleigh the Martin deal would be called off if any of the parties involved started spouting off to the media before it was completed. Maybe he pulled the plug on the Ward deal because it was plastered all over SSN prematurely. The Seaborne signing was, by comparison, quite a surprise to most (apart from all the ITKs here of course). Just a thought.....could be another much more plausible explanation.

 

Well if your opinion is correct NC comes across as a bit of a Toss a

 

but who knows all very strange especially as Ward had said goodbye to his team mates

[The Fat Controller]

It said that Ward was a free transfer, but we all know that there is not really such a thing...most players with Premier league experience, 130+ championship games under their belt won't sign on for lesser money. Ok we need experience but not any any cost

[kpturner]

How long will it be before AP walks if every plaver he wants to sign is dependent on the media not finding out about it. Get real.

I am very real thankyou. I know one of the Eastleigh Directors personally so unless he is telling me porkies (or exaggerating) then this is what was stipulated during the Martin transfer. It is not totally inconceivable that it could also be a reason for pulling the plug on Ward - that is all.

[kpturner]

I said 'if' based on what somebody else posted earlier today.

fairynuff

[John B]

Gives the Echo a chance to turn out another negative story. Would have to read the full article but there would appear to be little attempt to present the clubs take on events.This transfer story has been out there for nearly two weeks so there have obviously been problems in completing. I suggest delays are not all down to SFC.

 

Sorry dont see it as negative just relating the facts that SFC pulled out of the deal at the last minute which is obviously what happened

[ART]

Maybe under Cortese we have upped the stakes in accessing future signings. Not only their footballing ability, medical but perhaps Cortese uses his past connections to obtaining a banking/credit profile on players. The Swiss are thorough and it's a very likely possibility with Cortese.

[rooney]

Just do not believe all your read in the papers.

[kpturner]

Lol.....and you're baseing this on rumours on a message board. Too many on here become experts on heresay, wait for facts, there could be a very simple explaination, and I'm sure the truth of this will come out.

I would have thought that a forum like this is just the place to speculate on heresay - otherwise it would just be a dull regurgitation of "facts" previously reported on the OS.

[John B]

Lol.....and you're baseing this on rumours on a message board. Too many on here become experts on heresay, wait for facts, there could be a very simple explaination, and I'm sure the truth of this will come out.

 

Totally agree just cannot believe that is was scuppered for non football or financial reasons otherwise NC may become a laughing stock within the Press and Football in general.

 

What does it actually say in the Echo

[kpturner]

Haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this suggestion has already been made - but Cortese's is already being known to be one who insists that transfer dealings (and plans for training ground redevelopment) are done behind closed doors. He alledgedly told Eastleigh the Martin deal would be called off if any of the parties involved started spouting off to the media before it was completed. Maybe he pulled the plug on the Ward deal because it was plastered all over SSN prematurely. The Seaborne signing was, by comparison, quite a surprise to most (apart from all the ITKs here of course). Just a thought.....could be another much more plausible explanation.

Of course, you could also argue that if this was the case he could have pulled the plug as soon at it appeared on SSN rather than wait until the last minute......unless you want to secure the signature of an alternative before upholding your principles of course.

[kpturner]

Totally agree just cannot believe that is was scuppered for non football or financial reasons otherwise NC may become a laughing stock within the Press and Football in general.

 

What does it actually say in the Echo

The Echo just says that the club would not comment. They don't actually speculate on the reasons - surprisingly.

[John B]

The Echo just says that the club would not comment. They don't actually speculate on the reasons - surprisingly.

 

Thanks maybe they were trying to offload Thomas and that failed

[NickG]

Current centre backs

 

Jaidi - from higher level

 

Fonte -from higher level

 

Perry - from higher level

 

Thomas - from higher level

 

Martin - for the future

 

Seaborne - first choice for team in this div - young

 

Lancashire

 

Saville.

 

We signed Perry from Luton when they were in L1 and we were CCC, didn't we?

 

sorry meant had played at higher level. Not that they could now, or directly came from.

 

Just that we don't look weak at CB

[sfc4prem]

I've heard that the Ward deal was going to go ahead and Danny Seaborne was a backup incase that didn't go through.

 

Ward apparently failed his medical (don't know how) and we had to go for Dan because other clubs were looking at him and we didn't want to be left without getting one of these two.

 

I must say I would have preferred Wardy signing for us, but i've heard good things about Seaborne, he can't be that bad if clubs like Leicester and Norwich wanted him.

 

In pards we trust.

[altoniansaints]

Well IMO IF someone has leaked to SSN that he has signed for us that someone was PROBABLY Ward himself! And IF NC has, during his negotiations with Ward specifically asked him NOT to leak it to the media before the official press release then NC and SFC are perfectly right to cancel the deal. I for one would not employ someone, or work for someone for that matter, who can not follow a simple request! What other information would someone leak to the press once working for me? would be the question i would ask myself! Ward might not have leaked it it may well have been someone at CCFC which is why Ward is "gutted" but IF thats the reason for the deal being off then NC and co obviously think that it was Ward and rightly don`t trust him so why would they employ him?

[Badger]

I am very disapointed with Saints on this one.Ward was definately a far better signing in my opinion.

 

With respect that is probably only because you like many of us have heard of him before.

 

 

Why was the contact for only 18 months if Ward wanted to come to us???? Nowadays it seems that most contacts are for at least 3 years (Seaborne's is for 3 and a half). A contract for just 18 months would indicate a lack of commitment on Ward's part.

 

I agree with your summary here.

[RedAndWhite91]

WTF!? just read the article about us pulling out of the deal. WHY?

 

I can't be arsed to read through the last 3 pages of this thread, but why did we pull out at the 11th hour?!?

[Saints Ward]

I feel sorry for Ward too

[John B]

WTF!? just read the article about us pulling out of the deal. WHY?

 

I can't be arsed to read through the last 3 pages of this thread, but why did we pull out at the 11th hour?!?

 

No one knows at the moment

[RedAndWhite91]

No one knows at the moment

 

Ok... Just seems a bit odd doesn't it.

[sfc4prem]

WTF!? just read the article about us pulling out of the deal. WHY?

 

I can't be arsed to read through the last 3 pages of this thread, but why did we pull out at the 11th hour?!?

 

'parrently Ward failed his medical. This is what the mix up with SSN is about, they automatically assumed he would pass his medical and said he had signed for us.

[Third Division South Days]

I am very real thankyou. I know one of the Eastleigh Directors personally so unless he is telling me porkies (or exaggerating) then this is what was stipulated during the Martin transfer. It is not totally inconceivable that it could also be a reason for pulling the plug on Ward - that is all.

 

This story has been around for nearly two weeks so why has it taken this long for that to be the reason to pull the plug is media leakage. AP would be in complete agreement with the decision whether it be on money/medical/players attitude/delays caused by Coventry or player or Saints/or revised thinking by AP. No lets blame NC petulance.

[John B]

'parrently Ward failed his medical. This is what the mix up with SSN is about, they automatically assumed he would pass his medical and said he had signed for us.

 

Not sure about that as he was saying goodbye to his team mates but you maybe right

Edited 14 January, 2010 by John B

[GenevaSaint]

No one knows the real reason, why are you all getting so freaked out by it. So what, we had a deal then decided against it, and? We were probably just hedging our bets, but I don't know so cannot say and we should not speculate on how right or wrong NC was.

 

That said, my speculation! Maybe the savings in wages will be going to the next signing according to the saints tweet! Seaborne and Stock or just Ward........

[RedAndWhite91]

'parrently Ward failed his medical. This is what the mix up with SSN is about, they automatically assumed he would pass his medical and said he had signed for us.

 

That'd be understandable, but if that was the case then why would Ward say goodbye to his team mates, expect to be meeting up with our players, and then feel gutted as we pulled out. Why would their chairman be left feeling infuriated? Surely they'd have known he failed his medical before we pulled out, I reckon there is more to it than that, but good shout anyway. Oh, and welcome to the forum

[sidthesquid]

It all reminds me of playing championship manager - put loads of offers in because most of them turn you down then suddenly end up potentially signing several players for the same spot. Easier to cancel the deal on a computer game though

[kpturner]

Why was the contact for only 18 months if Ward wanted to come to us???? Nowadays it seems that most contacts are for at least 3 years (Seaborne's is for 3 and a half). A contract for just 18 months would indicate a lack of commitment on Ward's part.

 

With respect that is probably only because you like many of us have heard of him before.

 

 

 

 

I agree with your summary here.

Why assume that a shorter contract is something that the player stipulated? Maybe it was stipulated by SFC due to his age or summat?

[Joensuu]

Seems obvious to me that we were only intending to sign one of the two centre backs. One of the two was the preferred choice, with the other being 2nd choice and possibly smokescreen. What we don't know is who was 1st choice, and who the backup option.

 

For my money, Seaborne was the first choice option. He was being tracked by various other clubs. We only heard anything about him 18 hours before the signing, so he was kept pretty much under the radar.

 

Ward on the other hand has been rumoured for quite a while, and attracted a relatively large amount of media interest. Exeter would have definitely been aware of the Ward story (but I doubt Seaborne had been discussed by the Coventry directors).

There is usually a good reason why fees are 'undisclosed'; one club is slightly embarrassed by the agreed fee. Either we paid over the odds, or Exeter accepted a bid that was lower than their fanbase would have accepted. Perhaps Ward helped knock down the Seaborne fee?

I can't see Ward coming here now, I admit to feeling a little despondent, but think that there is enough potential in Seaborne for this to have been a good deal. I guess we shall see...

[saintbletch]

I obviously thank the day ML & NC arrived, but the more I hear of NC's behaviour, the more he sounds like a petulant dictator

 

...the more he sounds like a highly secretive Swiss banker?

[Third Division South Days]

'parrently Ward failed his medical. This is what the mix up with SSN is about, they automatically assumed he would pass his medical and said he had signed for us.

 

If this is the true reason why the deal fell through then the club has acted very correctly in not disclosing that information.