Roberts : "Ward's not going anywhere"

By Nathan Jackson
January 3 2007

Torquay United's chairman has quickly reacted to Jamie Ward's transfer request by saying that he won't sell him anytime soon. The midfielder was linked to the Imps during the summer and has been linked with City since handing in a transfer request a few weeks ago, but that now seems unlikely.

After being released by Aston Villa during the summer, Ward was courted by several clubs. Lincoln City were one of these clubs and one of the favourites to sign Ward given that John Deehan had helped the youngster progress at Villa Park. However, City failed to register their official interest early enough and Ward joined Torquay, rejecting offers from Scunthorpe, Stockport and Yeovil along the way.

Having scored 6 in 19 this year, he has seen his side gradually slip to their now seemingly inevitable drop in the conference. They currently lay 24th in the table, 6 points adrift of Macclesfield Town who are the bottom side in a group of 6 teams all within a defeat of the drop zone. Ward has grown so frustrated by this that he handed in his transfer request, this has prompted Roberts, who is Torquay's chairman, into saying that it will take a ridiculous off to get Ward out of Plainmoor.

He said, "Jamie is under contract with Torquay United until June 2009 and is a key part of our plans for the future and will remain so. He will not be going anywhere under any circumstances unless we receive a ridiculous offer." He's a very good player, a young lad and an important part of our plans."

"We've spoken to his agent, who said he wanted a move, and we said 'no'. It's time to stand up and be counted - we're in the trenches but we will turn the corner. With players like Jamie and Lee Thorpe - who was magnificent against Bristol Rovers - and other players here at the club, we will turn the corner."