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Bye, skipper
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 14 March 2013
Captain Dean Furman has left Athletic to sign on loan for Doncaster Rovers - in a deal that will net the Boundary Park club a substantial fee.
The 24-year-old midfield man has swapped a battle against relegation for a promotion bid with the South Yorkshire club.
Athletic will pick up a cash payment for a player who was certain to leave on a free transfer in the summer.
The temporary move to the Dons will not sit well with local fans as the club battles against the drop. But chairman Simon Corney is keen to cash in now on a man the club knew was destined for a higher level.
Wherever Furman ultimately ends up, there is no ill-will.
“He will have the opportunity to play at a higher level next season — and he goes with our blessing,” Corney said.
The former Chelsea trainee cost Athletic around £50,000 when he signed from Rangers.
His three-year deal was extended as Athletic took up an option last summer. Though his club form since hasn’t been as consistent, his stock has risen since becoming a member of the South Africa national team.
Furman’s absence means James Wesolowski will take over as skipper.
Comments
I first thought 'what the hell' but having thought it through probably not a bad thing. Lets not forget that under his captaincy we haven't done well and beat Liverpool without him. Not many goals from midfield is one thing, lack of height and strength in central midfield has been evident all season. This lack of strength is more pronounced in League 1 than when playing against Premier and Championship teams.
Hopefully the money will go towards an 'enforcer' in midfield.
Furman has not been anywhere near his best in recent games BUT the need to replace him is an absolute necessity. In the current dire situation and Bournemouth on the horizon I find it very strange that our already under strength midfield has been further depleted. Perhaps Richie Wellens is going to come in, perhaps we might get a new manager perhaps we start scoring goals(average of 1 per game so far)and perhaps miracles might happen. Future is looking bleak, hope springs eternal, yes - no ?
What a nice time to jump ship from this so called CAPTAIN!!! Thanks a Lot!!!!!! I just hope Doncaster don't go up!!
Whilst I cannot blame the guy, and indeed wish him well, he encapsulates all that is wrong at present. So weak and'nice'(despite 8 yellow cards).9 goals from a so called creative/attacking midfielder in 148 appearances. This season 28 games:2 goals:0 assists:20 shots. A terrible captain on the pitch illustrating lack of character,strength and leadership. As I say,good luck to you fella.
well that answers all the questions. if were getting a fee thats fine even though we dont need the money we might as well cash in.
what bothers me is the cover. the hole thats left.
wes gets injured then its murray or winchester. cant comment on murray but winchester not good enough
his heart was never in it when he came back from international games.
Glad we getting something from Donny, time now we had a new manager in.
What a joke. At a time when we need our best players in an attempt to beat the drop, SC has seen fit to let our best midfield player go. This is just to save on the wage bill and feather his own nest prior to carrying out his threat to quit if we get relegated. Which we surely will if our best players go.
I thought the captain was always the last one to leave a sinking ship!
even though a good player.has not shone this season and plenty others to fill his position ,might as well get some wonga now as nought later.i only hope sc doesnt think a new stand is more important than league survival,food for thought scholes free at end of season? .is that the reason for the delay
Wow. Considering the situation the club is in and the diaphanous nature of the squad, this is an extraordinary decision, even coming from Corney. Despite what he says, it seems he wouldn't mind relegation.
nothing like loyalty hey furman [kerching]
never been a great fan of furman, but the timing of this is appalling, sends out a demotivating message to the rest of the team just as we need motivating to get those 5 wins.
Not happy with this not happy at all, its like the captain of the Titanic jumping into the first lifeboat before the ship sinks RIP OAFC
Most overrated player at the club, glad he's gone. Now the donny fans can get to watch him pass backwards and when he gets excited, maybe sideways.
Which would be more of a financial issue - the club being relegated to divison two or Dean Furman leaving on a free? I hope the substantial fee is substantial. Surely we need as many players as we can to get us out of the predicament we find our club in.
Hoist the white flag.... Corney is cashing in, and then he's off... With Oldham Council left to carry the can once more..
The club battles to stay up and they let the captain go for a silver shilling.
Goodbye, good riddance. Thanks for staying and fighting for the cause.I think not. 9 goals in 140 odd games. Will not be missed. You are not as good as you think.
Not that good, not a championship player and the Captain who led us into the bottom four. Goodbye.
No great loss, he has been one of regular under performers at the club. Still this is a money exercise fee or no fee we are in a fight for survival and he is getting rid of the players, with a midfield that can be best termed as pathetic. With the way things are looking Corney is for the exit strategy either before, or at the end of the season what ever happens survival or relegation.
good move from the club to get something from a player that
has done nothing this season only get a suntan and miss a penelty for south africa ,didnt want to play for us so get someone who does want to play ,right decision made for once
To all those who thought Furman was the messiah just think to yourselves what has he done this season ? In my opinion this is a good move by SC and the club ! Captain or not if he dosent want to be here then theres no point just get rid as to be honest he wont be missed !
“Despite what he says, it seems he wouldn't mind relegation.” After some of wild and wacky things you have posted over the last 5yrs, neither would you, or so it seems.
Would anyone on here be interested in setting up a co-operative?, it would mean a monthly donation of say £50 a month, those in the co-operative would pay a £5 gate fee including cup games, others the usual £20 and away supporters, not including sponsorship money and cup win bonuses, revert to in house catering and finally profits from the club shop. As a club we could generate up to 3.2m in revenues with 4,000 members, then add sponsors etc up to the club could generate upto 4m plus.
With Baxter in midfield Furman would be warming the bench anyway, Wes gives us bite, Furman gives away possession. I cannot understand why we have seen nothing of Murray yet, why was he brought in.
He has had a terrible season,, previous seasons werent much better either and he was still getting played as captain until dickov left. He's only good enough as a sub in our team! he's simply not good enough at this level or there would not be so many people complaining of his lack of creativity look at the likes of o'grady and davis strikers that latics regarded as usless fact is with furmans lack of supply they were always going to do poorly! good move corney
Good move Mr Corney well done, now let's move on and prove we don't need Furman. The team will be a lot better without him. Come on let's win tomorrow and show Furman how good we really are.
OS; IMHO it’s a no brainer. Initial capital would be debilitating for a start. You have no figure for annual expenditure. An estimated 4,000 uptake would more likely be a few hundred at best. Continuation of membership would be a massive problem. The calibre of leadership would be critical. The balance sheet, I suspect, would be an eye opener to us all. Finding a winning manager, who then has to find winning players is an awesome and increasingly more difficult responsibility. Not for me.
Have Your Say
"destined for a higher level". he is average at best and probably 3rd choice as when baxter plays in that role the first choice is baxter and wes. furman had a terrible first season, good second season and has had no more than an average 3rd season passing the ball sideways only.
By DARTH @ 14/03/2013 12:30:24