Thompson promises summer signings

22 May 2001

Today's Birmingham Post reports that Albion Chairman Paul Thompson is promising immediate funding to enable 4 or 5 new players to be brought in. Thompson hasn't said exactly how much money is available, but the Post believes that it runs into millions. Paul Thompson is quoted as saying:

"We have already spent £5.8 million on 13 new faces and it will be our policy to bring in 4 or 5 players each year, plus another signing every 3 months or so. We are talking about substantial funds. The club as a whole is in good shape and by this time next year we will hope to have done even better."

This will come as music to the ears of Albion fans following some reports that there was only £500k in the transfer kitty. I believe that figure was mentioned only in the context of being the proportion of the recent £938k purchase of shares by Hamilton Trustees that was going to be made available to Gary Megson, rather than being the total budget for summer signings.

Thompson also intends to talk to Lee Hughes about a new contract:

"We want Lee to stay and we will be seeing the player and his agent as soon as possible."

Following his release yesterday, Richard Sneekes seems to be somewhat bitter over the fate which has befallen him:

"I always had a feeling this was coming, but it still hurts very badly. In a way, I feel used. I played in 55 games for Albion this season and not in a role I really enjoyed. But I did it for the team and I'm just sorry I haven't had a chance to say goodbye to the fans."

Previous Stories:

  18 May 2001:  Can the Baggies beat Big Business?

  17 May 2001:  WBA shares sold out too!

  16 May 2001:  Bolton Sold Out

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