Furman’s decision to go - chairman

DEAN Furman has joined npower League One rivals Doncaster until the end of the season.

 ATHLETIC gave the green light for captain Dean Furman to join Doncaster when the player said he wanted the move.

The club hasn’t picked up an immediate loan fee for Furman, who completed formalities yesterday after saying his goodbyes on Wednesday.

Doncaster are current stationed three points clear at the top of npower League One, with Athletic in relegation trouble.

Furman’s loan runs to the end of the current season and sees Doncaster caretaker manager Brian Flynn grab a player he has watched closely since the Dons’ 1-0 win over Athletic in November.

Flynn, in his job until the end of the season following Dean Saunders’ move to Wolves, continued to trail the South Africa international until pouncing this week. He is likely to make the move a permanent one in the summer.

Questions on Furman’s departure weren’t permitted in yesterday’s weekly press conference, and fan reaction has been mixed.

Chairman Simon Corney later explained his own thinking behind the move, explaining the midfielder was expected to leave Boundary Park on a free transfer in the summer.

“The move is down to a combination of factors,” Corney told the Chronicle. “He wanted to better himself and I am not saying I blame him.

“He probably wasn’t going to start our game tomorrow and then would be absent for at least one and possibly two matches on international duty. He is also on eight yellow cards, so is likely to be suspended for a couple of games soon. But he has been a great servant to us in his time here and we wish him well.”

The hunt is now on to replace him, to stiffen the squad for its push the the end of the season: “We are looking at several positions,” said Corney. “The money is there.”