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Free agent Breckin turns down Walsall
Friday 26th June 2009, 10:50AM BST.
Free agent Ian Breckin has rejected the chance to become Walsall’s first summer signing.
Veteran centre-back Breckin, who was released by Nottingham Forest in May, held talks with Saddlers chief Chris Hutchings – assistant boss at Wigan during his three years with the Latics – this week.
But the 33-year-old former Reds skipper has instead decided to join an unnamed club, whose identity will be revealed next week, closer to his home in Rotherham.
Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star, he said: “I spoke to Chris Hutchings about a move. He offered me a decent contract, but I wanted to be closer to home.
“If Walsall had even been a half hour from my house I would have joined them. It was just too far away.”
Given their location, Breckin’s most likely destination appears to be either Rotherham or Chesterfield, both of whom he played for during the 1990s.
The defender’s snub comes as a fresh blow to the Saddlers, who have so far been unsuccessful in their attempts to bring in new recruits.
Hutchings, who is yet to make a permanent signing in his six months in charge, is working with the smallest budget of his career.
The Saddlers report back for pre-season training next Thursday down on numbers following Jabo Ibehre’s move to MK Dons and the release of Michael Ricketts, Stephen Hughes and Paul Boertien.
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What about our lovely training ground and sunday market? Surely we could have pushed the boat out and offered him a free cup of tea on the national express?
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Can’t say I’m holding my breath on signings when the ONLY person we’ve been realistically linked with, except the annual Darren Byfield links, has turned us down. It’s going to be a long summer.
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Wow, perhaps he’s taken Jeff’s advice to go and play for Luton or Rotherham literally.
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We probably need 6 players, 7 if Zabooub does’nt sign-a centre half, 2 wingers, 2 midfielders and 2 strikers. We had better get a move on sharpish because otherwise we will be left with the dregs that cannot get a deal anywhere else!
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We allways end up with players that have had no other offers so we have to wait that bit longer see who is left.
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He is obviously looking for an easy life and did not fancy the trawl down the A 38 !
Possibly not the right type of character we are looking for.
Time to look elsewere.
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Wouldn’t have anything to do with the 2 YEAR CONTRACT Chesterfield have given him?!!!
Bet we only offered the one year as per normal these days.
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Who would u sign 4 a club like Walsall or a massive club like Chesterfield on a 2 year deal?
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Has Zaboub still got an offer on the table? I thought Hutch had withdrawn all offers if they didnt sign by the deadline, Dont worry lads, not only do we support the Saddlers, at this rate, we might be playing for them
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Cant blame him for signing for a clubn close to home i wouldnt like to travel 80 mles if i can a job nearer to home. Still its pretty depressing to lose a player to chesterfield or rotherham
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The way we are going WFC will not have 11 players to field by the opening of next season. There are some very serious issues here.
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If you turn up before 2pm on 8th August with your boots down at Brighton you just might get a game the way we are heading!
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Where are all these good players, desperate to get a job in these tough economic times? It seems like only the really deperate ones will consider Walsall – not exactly a big pull are we? It’s very depressing – nothing lifts the supporters like a decent signing…but we ain’t seen one of those for a while!
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Chris, have you considered a player who finished last season on loan at Port Vale (so surely we can afford his wages) and is now a free agent.
He is 27 years of age and has averaged a goal every 3 games at his previous clubs. Enough to make him our top scorer next season.
He wants a club near his Birmingham home.
Formerly at Shrewsbury and Crewe, his name is Luke Rodgers.
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We will be charging the players subs next!
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