Hartson stuck at Albion

Former Celtic striker John Hartson could leave Albion for SwanseaJohn Hartson’s Albion nightmare looks set to drag on after a possible move to Chester’s coaching staff collapsed.

The former Wales international has been banished from the Albion team for almost a year and would be allowed to leave this month.

But Baggies manager Tony Mowbray has revealed there have been no enquiries for Hartson so far during the transfer window.

“John’s working away – we’ve had no calls for him at all,” said Mowbray.

The former Arsenal, Luton and West Ham player has not figured for the Baggies since last February with his only action coming during a four-match loan spell at Norwich earlier this season.

But his activity is now limited to the Albion training ground with his playing career for the club effectively over.

Mowbray said: “I’m sure it’s frustrating for him – I like John, he’s a good guy. It’s not his fault he finds himself in this predicament.

“He’s finding it hard to keep it going but the phone hasn’t rung so we’ll wait and see. He must find it hard to come in every day and keep going but it’s our job to keep him going.”

Hartson is reported in Cheshire to have held talks with Chester manager Bobby Williamson after the club were priced out of a move for Hartson as a player.

But the latest talks failed to get beyond first base and the proposal is now dead.

Meanwhile, Mowbray has again warned Baggies fans not to expect a flurry of January transfer activity.

He has admitted speaking to fellow managers about potential targets, but he insists he has a relaxed approach to January recruitment.

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33 Comments

  1. Baggie Boy said:

    I know a couple of people at Chester Town and his propsed move did not fall through due being priced out,it was down to the fact his weekly wage was more than the entire Chester first team. The players basicly where basicly treatening to strike

  2. Malvern Wolf said:

    Just seen this headline and I am confused. Is this a football report or a traffic report?

  3. nkelleher said:

    i heard arsenal are after a player nicknamed the elephant could he be on his way back to them lol

  4. Jonny Rohnsen said:

    2 - LOL…thats just made my day

  5. Paris Baggie said:

    Malvern: like it… When I saw the headline I thought he was wedged in the players’ tunnel.

  6. we8wba said:

    hartson and stuck in the same sentance surely not

    tm obviously tried forcing him out the door and thats where he has got stuck!!

  7. ALBIONMATT said:

    just get rid for nothing.tear up his contract and send to who ever wants him.

  8. bgp said:

    Good to see that Robsons astute signings are still helping the club.

  9. wbabomber said:

    I heard that Hartsons only problem was with his feet…………

    He cant keep them out of pie shops!!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Albion Wizards said:

    Stop having a go at Hartson !

    He’s a big big , big ,big…..

    Yeah your right

    Sorry

  11. Happy_baggie said:

    Those turnstiles are damn tricky !

  12. Kent Wolf said:

    Poor Chester City couldn’t afford his food bill.
    He can always join up with the Umpaloompah @ Cardiff!

  13. STOURPORT WOLF said:

    WHEN YOU SAY STUCK
    DO YOU MEAN BETWEEN 2 DOORS AT GREGGS?

  14. Matt said:

    Love it Paddy Mcguiness should watch out his Greggs career might be over when the owners find out our john is available.

    Come here!!!!

  15. Grow_up_dingles said:

    14 - LOL.

    What does “John’s working away – we’ve had no calls for him at all,” mean ?

    Working away ??? working his way through some pasties more like.

  16. Southbank S5 said:

    With all the doom and gloom at our place…this story actually put a smile on my face!! You gotta laugh!!

  17. BoingBoing666 said:

    Paris Baggie

    Damn you! I was gonna use that line!
    :-)

  18. Happy_baggie said:

    Interesting that TM has spoken to managers about players. I agree that we don’t need to do much in the jan window - but it would be interesting to know who he has spoken too….

    Disagree with TM (faint - first time ever) about hartson - it IS his fault he is in this predicament - if he worked hard and lost 2 stone he could get a move away (he will never play fop TM) - but he prefers to sit in the cafe and pick up his £15k a week.

    Cheers Robbo.

  19. Bromsgrove Baggie said:

    Apparently Wolves are looking to add some much needed pace to their forward line, and see Hartson as someone who is definately quicker than the forwards already at the club.

  20. phil said:

    you could see him arrive at the top of the drive he stood 6 foot 6 and weighed 245 big john big fat john

  21. The Real Bully said:

    I see today that Robbo is about to sign Ugo for Sheff U. Another big wage packet on the treatment table. Thank God we got rid before he ruined our club.

  22. Fatboy Slim Hartson's fitness coach said:

    I thought he would be ideal for a move to Wolves as someone told him he could put a shift in at the custard bowl!

  23. Paris Baggie said:

    BoingBoing666: great minds think alike…

  24. Nik G said:

    I have to totally agree with Happy Baggies`s comment about disagreeing with TM regarding it not being Hartson`s fault. The bloke has got no motivation to improve himself and is more than happy to sit on his fat behind and earn 15k a week. He has had almost a year to get back into shape and he has failed miserably. I`m not surprised he hasn`t had any offers-why would anyone want to buy him???. My heart bleeds for him that he is feeling down. I`m feeling down that he still gets paid a stupid amount fro doing sweet FA. Just pay his contract up and get shot of the waste of space.

  25. shelfield baggie said:

    why not sell him 2 wolves they want a target man with hartson they couldt miss him and he might score a few if they keep him happy and pay him in pies.

  26. Hairy Wolf said:

    now this paves the way for Hartson to complete his move to wolves

  27. essex baggy said:

    I know he is probably past his shelf life but on occasions he did do a job for us and hes had a pretty good career. There arent many KPs around, Harts obviously doesnt enjoy training any more, I would have thought he would have called it a day by now and taken over at a welsh boozer. Good Luck Son!

  28. ozzie1972 said:

    ..and we should all feel sorry for him..??? He only has himself to blame..’professional footballer’-don’t make me laugh..anyone know when his contract runs out???
    I’m sure his ‘Albion nighmare’ isn’t helped by the fact he picks up a huge salary each week for doing nothing-did-dums..still, it could be worse..haven’t Wolves a penchant for non-scoring strikers?? Oh no, they couldn’t afford him these days..

  29. ozzie1972 said:

    Haven’t KFC in Dudley got a opening for him?..guess, he would fit through it..

  30. lord baggie said:

    Big John’s nightmare?

    God, I woke up in a cold sweat last night it was terrible. Somebody, whose speech was a little bit slurred was urging me to sign a contract to earn £16K a week.

    “Will I have to play football every week cos it knackers me and getting up early interferes with me drinking?” I protested.

    “Mebbes, wor kid, now gerrus a Carling or Carlsberg, whatever” was the reply.

    Then I woke up and realised I wouldn’t have to play footy ever again after all. But would you believe it I still had to get out of bed to go to the bank.

    It’s such a nightmare…

  31. The Real Bully said:

    Lord Baggie.
    Brilliant!
    Essex Baggie.
    If you listen to Andy Townsend, Paul Gascoigne and others, Fatboy never liked training. Worse Robson would have known this and yet he still signed/saddled us with him.

  32. Ken Hawthorn said:

    Phil.
    Cracker, love it!

  33. Madbag said:

    Taking into account his original fee and his wages for two years, that works out at approx.three hundred and forty three thousand Pounds for each goal he’s scored….Good investment eh?