Jarvis rejects Forest switch

Jarvis stays put
By Jack Nolan
March 1 2007

Gillingham star Matt Jarvis has today rejected a move to Nottingham Forest. Gillingham chairman Paul Scally today revealed that Forest had bidded £650,000 for the Gillingham star, but Jarvis didn't want to leave Priestfield for Forest.

Jarvis, who has missed training all week after picking up a knock against Scunthorpe, told his agent Mark Curtis that "he wasn't keen" on a switch to The City Ground.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally today said, "I can confirm that we have received an offer for Matt Jarvis from Forest for £650,000.

"However, the player's agent has informed me that he will not be joining Nottingham Forest - the power of agents."

This means that the Gillingham star man may still stay at Priestfield for another season at least.

Former Gillingham players Iffy Onuora and Steve Claridge both thought that it would be wise for Jarvis to keep playing regular first team football and the 'key man' for another season or two.

However with Premiership clubs such as Newcastle and Arsenal also reported to be interested in the Gillingham star, it may be hard for the Gills star to not be tempted away. Gillingham boss Ronnie Jepson recently said how he wanted to hold onto his star man, until the end of the season at least.

Matt Jarvis made his senior debut against Sunderland three years ago. During his Gillingham career Matty has found the net fifteen times, five of those coming this season. After impressing with same occasional senior appearences and impressive reserve and youth games, Jarvis was rewarded a senior contract - which he signed at th final home game of the season in May 2004. Matty scored his first ever senior goal in the one nil victory over Wolves during the 04-05 season. Last season Jarvis won 'Young Player of the Year' award and the 'Goal of the Season' award and has been Gillingham's star performer this season.

Meanwhile, Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson today revealed that he has failed in his attempt to bring Sheffield Wednesday's Leon Clarke to Priestfield on a loan basis. The Wednesday striker, who scored a late equaliser against Gillingham in the 04/05 season, instead opted for a move for John Sheridans Oldham side.

Jepson said: "We tried to get a player in from Sheffield Wednesday, the lad Leon Clarke, who they got from Wolves for a quarter of a million pounds. He has gone to Oldham this morning. I spoke to John Sheridan at Oldham and they have lost three or four on the spin. They've gone from having a good defence to looking like conceding and are scoring goals for fun. It has gone totally the opposite and that just about weighs this league up. It is crazy. If you had seen the reports on Crewe from their last three games, and the way Scunthorpe played on Saturday, I'd have fancied Crewe to get something from the game. Scunthorpe went there and won three-one. Anybody can beat anybody and like I keep saying, it is all about consistency."

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