SCHWARZER - IT WASN'T RIGHT TO LEAVE BORO

By ComeOnBoro.com
January 21 2006

Mark Schwarzer's dramatic transfer request u-turn yesterday has not exactly enthralled certain sections of the Boro support who remain unswayed in their belief that Mark is only staying at the club because no better offers were received.

This morning, we can exclusively reveal that this is absolutely not the case.

Skippy's agent Barry Silkman told us that two other Premiership sides made firm offers for Mark and that both clubs were prepared to at least match his current salary. It's no secret that Portsmouth declared their interest but the Fratton Park club's offer was rejected as Mark now feels that it is not right to leave Middlesbrough in our current position.

The other Premiership club who came in for Skippy are currently several positions higher than Boro in the table and yet another offer was received from a Spanish club who are currently occupying a top six Primera Liga position. Skippy would have been first choice keeper at all three clubs, if he had decided not to stay and help Boro fight their way out of their current plight.

Both player and agent could have made a healthy windfall if one of the offers had been taken but both were firm in their belief that the right thing to do was to put financial considerations aside and to fight the Boro cause.

Mark will be occupying a place on Boro's bench against Wigan as Brad Jones continues between the sticks. It remains to be seen what the Boro fans' reaction will be to Schwarzer. In light of the above information, it is our firm belief that he should receive nothing less than a returning hero's welcome this afternoon.