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Top targets turn down dale

by Richard Partington
24/ 6/2008

GRANT HOLT became the latest name on Keith Hill’s wanted list to turn down a move to Spotland when he opted for Shrewsbury over a return to Rochdale this week.

Dale chief Hill had been confident of landing the former fans’ favourite with the club board meeting Nottingham Forest’s valuation of the 27-year-old hitman.

However, the Shropshire outfit entered the running on Friday and when it came down to a straight battle between the two clubs, Shrewsbury’s bigger budget ultimately decided the outcome.

"I was very optimistic we’d be able to bring Grant Holt back to the club but it came down to finances and Shrewsbury were able to flex their muscles and come up with the extra money that proved decisive," said Hill. "We had agreed a fee with Forest that matched the bid Shrewsbury had submitted, but in the end it boiled down to monetary matters and we couldn’t compete. The club board have been terrific in their support of what we are trying to achieve and they have given us the green light to bring in the players we had highlighted. Grant Holt will be just another player in Shrewsbury’s squad – to us he would have accounted for a third of our playing budget, so had we pulled it off, it would have been a really big move for the club. Dave Flitcroft and myself have probably come to the conclusion there is too much expectation and not enough realisation around the club right now and when it comes down to needing that extra bit of money, the likes of Shrewsbury are on a different planet.It’s proving very difficult to get the tried and tested players in who we feel will take us on to the next level. It’s very hard to compete when other clubs from higher divisions or with bigger and better resources come in for the same players."

Hill feels the addition of an experienced central midfield player and a proven striker would provide the improvement to the squad deemed essential in the bid for automatic promotion.

Dale were close to landing midfielder Danny Whittaker recently but just when it appeared the former Macclesfield man was heading to Spotland, Oldham came in with a late bid and the lure of League One football proved enough for Manchester-born Whittaker to head to Boundary Park.

Similarly, Hill also held talks with the highly experienced Alex Russell – out of contract at Bristol City this summer – but the midfielder opted for a two-year deal at Cheltenham.

Had Dale succeeded in bringing him to Spotland, Russell would have been the highest paid player on the books – at the age of 35. However, for the same money, Russell preferred the prospect of away trips to Leicester and Leeds rather than Exeter and Dagenham and Redbridge.

"We had a great season last year, but perhaps we are not seen as a fashionable club to come to," said Hill. "Perhaps players perceive the likes of Oldham and Shrewsbury as more fashionable options. The pull of playing in a higher division or at a club with a new stadium and training facilities is massive when a player is considering his options."

Bury’s Nicky Adams – a young player with plenty of potential – has been strongly linked with a move to Spotland and Hill and Flitcroft have a proven track record in bringing in such players.

"I think it’s going to have to be the same kind of players for us – the broken toys and young players out to make a name for themselves," said Hill. "It seems that, for the 27/28-year-old players at the top of their game, there are better options.I didn’t realise we would have to be this patient."

Fresh from a fortnight’s holiday, Hill returned to his desk this week to maintain his bid to strengthen the squad and ensure the current crop of players remain at the club.

"We have put a lot of hard work into retaining the players who were so successful for us last season, because we have to protect from other clubs coming in and picking our pocket. If that happened we could end up being dismantled and that cannot be allowed."

Former Dale star Patrick McCourt signed a three-year deal with Glasgow Celtic last week after the Scottish giants paid Derry City £200,000 for his services.