News roundup

30 June 2002

Very little has definitely happened at Albion in the last week or so as new Chairman Jeremy Peace gets to grips with taking over the Boardroom hotseat - but lots of things might have happened, depending who you listen to and believe.

Defender Ronnie Wallwork will finally sign for Albion on Monday, the day after his Manchester United contract runs out, if some reports are true; others say that he had taken a medical on Thursday to sign the contract on Monday (although this seems unlikely given that medicals are usually taken just before signing in case something happens in between), while others say he has already put pen to paper on a three or four year contract (but don't say which). Albion appear to have beaten off the approach from an ever-lurking Portsmouth side who seem destined to play second best to Albion when it comes to signing key players...

Meanwhile, press reports in Lancashire suggest that Albion will be bidding for Preston midfielder Sean Gregan, with a figure of £2.5 million being mentioned. The reports go on to say that Albion nearly bid for Gregan two weeks ago, but the Board blocked acting Chairman Clive Stapleton from making it because they felt it was too high for a player with relatively limited experience. Given that Stapleton, along with Barry Hurst, is no longer on the Board, one would have thought the bid for Gregan would now be even less likely unless Manager Gary Megson has managed to persuade the remaining members that it represents a good deal - or that maybe a lower bid would be accepted. Like many clubs outside the Premiership, Preston could well use the money even if it means losing their influential midfield general.

Finally, the position of Chief Executive John Wile looks increasingly untenable as reports suggested last week that Peace would continue his clearout of all those that opposed him taking the Chairman's job. Friday's reports said that the club were looking to reach an amicable settlement with Wile, and would be appointing two people to replace him, then Saturday's reports carried quotes from Wile which seemed to suggest he was as yet unaware of his fate:

"I am very, very shocked and very disappointed. In due course I hope to say more but it's really up to the club to make their position clear. This is definitely not a position of my making. The club must clarify their course of action. I am waiting to hear what they've got to say."

The reports suggest that one of the men being lined up to replace Wile was former player and now PFA second-in-command Brendan Batson. In his responses to BOING readers questions, the Chairman stated that he wants to have a Chief Executive and a Managing Director repsonsible for Football operations - but whether Wile will stay on to carry out either of those roles now seems in doubt. Wile only returned from holiday at the start of this week and has spent most of it out of the office working from home.

Previous Stories:

  18 June 2002:  Dobie transfer request

  13 June 2002:  Peace keen to face supporters

  13 June 2002:  We have a new Chairman!

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