The long running Futcher saga takes new twist

By Nathan Jackson
September 9 2004

The transfer saga of Ben Futcher that has at lasted since last season may finally be coming to an end from a suprising source as Championship side Crewe Alexandra are believed to have made a £160,000 bid for the 6'6 defender.

Dario Gradi, Crewe's manager (and the longest serving manager in Europe) is believed to be putting in a bit of £160,000 after watching Futcher put in a very impressive performance against Bury last week.

The transfer sage has gone on for a very very long time. In that time, there have been a lot of clubs linked to the player including Bolton, Villa, Cardiff and Hull but only Peterborough made bids, both of which were rejected immediatly.

Gradi sold David Wright to Wigan in the summer and now has around £500,000 to spend on a new centre back, the position often played by Futcher. Gradi has also gone onto say "We're looking at a big defender" and only 1 defender in the country is bigger than Futcher.

More to follow

Futcher's stunned as someone spots him in the game of hide and seek