A
andyscotty
Guest
The Real Deal!
Well this is me finally able to tell you how it is from my end. Firstly I'd like to say that it has been an absolute pleasure playing for the Bees since I arrived in November 1997. Although the beginning of my career here was probably one of the worst periods to join a club whose problems behind the scenes were far worse than I had appreciated.The fact that it's fortunes were turned round so dramatically and quickly must be realised and appreciated by all Bees fans, it certainly was by the players! The last couple of years here have been memorable not only by the club winning the 3rd Div. in style but we have also gone on to put together a formidable squad of great potential. Unfortunately due to injuries to many key players last season we were not able to continue our form for the last part of the season, because I and everybody at the club felt we were serious contenders for promotion again. Regretably from that moment on things at the club seem to have come to a bit of a halt in terms of consistency and hope, although recently our upturn in form has mainly been down to Ray Lew and Bully and Wally making everyone believe in their own ability and have confidence. How it has worked! This is why I feel particularly sorry for Ray because everyone can see he is capable of putting a good side on the pitch playing attractive footy, but unfortunately Ron has decided from a business view of the club that he must unload players to reduce the wage bill. He pays us our money and if he lets me know that I am no longer needed then I must realise that I haven't got a long term future at Brentford. With this in mind and the fact that I have a family to consider and support I felt that it would be foolish not to go to speak to Oxford who obviously wanted me and are clearly ambitious and building for the future. I understand it must be frustrating for the fans to know that players are available to go and that the side is being depleted rather than replenished but these are the facts. For the record I went to see Ron before Xmas and requested a new contract for 3 reasons. 1. I was enjoying playing and playing well 2. I wanted to be a member of the squad for a longer period because of the fact that I felt at home at Brentford 3. I wanted long term security for me and my family as I had 18 months left on my contract. Unfortunately the request fell on deaf ears, and several weeks later I was informed that if an offer was acceptable to Ron I would be able to go. On Tuesday an offer was accepted from Oxford and I was told and advised that it would be in my best interests to have talks with them. These talks along with the knowledge that a new contract was not in the offing led to my decision to accept Oxford's offer. They are clearly a club with ambition (new stadium ready for 2001/2002) and they have a very experienced management team who made it clear I was very much part of their plans not only for this season but for the next 2 seasons. You may think it is a backward step for me to go to the team at the bottom of the league but if the worst does happen this year I've every belief it will only be a short term situation. I leave Brentford with fond memories and many friends not only on the playing side but also the staff at Griffin Park who have always been helpful and supportive. Seeing Gibbo's comments shows the feeling of the players towards each other and the fact that there are so many young, good players emerging should give hope to Brentford fans. However even now that I have left I still seem to be getting unfair critisism from certain quarters (The H, Leicester Bee & SC). I would like to say that, yes, I have improved my contract but not by as much as is said, but ask yourself the question If you are told by your Boss that you can leave your job as soon as someone wants you, would you leave to secure your family's future and your career? After all a footballer's career is relatively short and my happiness and that of my family must be uppermost in my thinking when I consider a move. I have done that and am happy with the outcome in every aspect. Ideally this decision would have been made at Brentford but it wasn't to be. Thanks again for the good times, Scotty.
