Igoe Gets Thursday D-Day Over New Deal

Last updated : 11 June 2002 By Rob Cooper
Sammy Igoe's future at the club is once again under the spotlight after Reading Chief Executive Nigel Howe told readingfc.co.uk "The situation with Sammy is that we've asked him for his views on the offer, and he has until the end of this week to make a decision.

"If he doesn't make a decision we can assume he has declined the offer."

The popular midfielder has only been offered a new one-year deal because of the current financial crisis surrounding the Football League. Despite the Royal's promotion to Divison One they will miss out on £3.1 million owed to them because of the collapse of ITV Digital.

Consequently, the club feel they cannot offer Igoe a longer contract. The player himself admitted he wants to stay with Reading but needs the security that a longer contract offers. Several clubs are believed to be chasing the twenty-six year old.

He told readingfc.co.uk "Basically I want to stay at Reading but all that's swaying me is the fact it's only one year. I wanted to move to Reading and become a big part of things but I can't do that for just one year.

"My agent has said to me he feels I shouldn't sign as there are other clubs interested. He will speak to them and they'll have to put an offer in before Thursday.

"In my heart of hearts I want to stay. At the moment I'd say it's 50/50 whether I do.

"I've been a pro for nine years now and I've never been in this situation. Clubs have always given me what I wanted. [ITV Digital] couldn't have come at a worse time for myself and others around the country, but that's football and hopefully it'll all be sorted out."

Meanwhile, the club have now sold more than 3,000 season tickets and are hopeful of selling a record number for next years Division One campaign. Quite why the extra season ticket revenue can't be spent on securing Sammy Igoe's services for longer than just one year is unclear but the financial 'experts' clearly believe they know best.