I’m lucky enough to be involved in the team shoot today, and we’ve had a surprise QnA with a couple of board members.
Perhaps the most pressing issue off the field is the traininbg ground, and Bob confirmed that things are moving, albeit slowly. The main issue is not identifying a site, it is choosing a suitable one that will offer us the space we need, and obviously the longevity.
There’s certainly a sense that the board are very keen not to fall into the same trap as the previous board at Carlton Boulevard. Talk of ‘correct soil’ cropped up as did details of size. I would imagine they want a facility that can be added to should we exceed expectations and progress to League One.
There’s no shortage of offers of land, but it isn’t as simple as picking one and building. There are different types of ownership, private or public. There will be the same issues as there are when buying a house, and probably far more for the club to consider. We all want to avoid the debacle of Goal 2010, and choosing the right location with the right aspects is vitally important. However, Bob did confirm that these things are progressing and a meeting with a potential land owner will take place in the very near future.
Other issues discussed included Sean Raggett’s future, and sadly the club do not expect him to remain at the club beyond the next fortnight. Whether that might involve a loan back to the club is unclear, but there has been firm interest from the sort of clubs that simply can’t be ignored. One would imagine the Norwich interest is firm, and potentially West Brom and West Ham also. As revealed by me earlier, there will be a sell-on clause though meaning the Imps will benefit as best we can.
The harsh truth is that Sean Raggett is destined for bigger things and we can’t try to keep him if he has interest from big clubs. Danny is always keen to ensure his players have the chance to progress if the move is right, and unfortunately this move will be right for Sean. Don’t expect to get a million either, there is a release clause and as Bob has explained it is not in the region of seven figures at all.
Neal Eardley has also been involved in the photo shoot this morning, meaning it looks highly likely he’ll be joining the club officially for the coming season. I would suspect a six-month deal in the first instance, giving the player a chance to regain fitness and earn a longer deal.
The size of this transfer should not be under estimated either. Eardly has Premier League experience and at 28 still has plenty to offer the professional game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t press on and become a first team regular.
That has clarified the Training Area for those who who didn’t seem to understand ,this is a must to get right this time and as Bob says will not be rushed .I’m sure that this essential will go ahead and its well worth getting it right this time, Good luck!!
Sean Raggett is destined for greater thinks and I think we all wish him future success and it seems to me that the deal will be a good thing for both parties.
Seeing as you are so well in at the moment Talking to directors etc please do me a favour and find out the result of the sheffield Wednesday game behind closed doors. This was played Monday or Tuesday. I live in sheffield and would love to torment the Wednesday fans I work with. All I know about the game is that george hirst their striker boasted on his Twitter account how pleased he was to score against Lincoln first team.
I am pretty sure we won 2-1, saw it a mentioned a few times on Tuesday.