and from the chairman......
It is with mixed emotions that we have agreed to sell David Turnbull to Celtic FC. David leaves us for a fee nearly double our previous record transfer.
David is the latest in a long line of players who have developed with us. Marvin Johnson, Ben Heneghan, Louis Moult, Cédric Kipré and James Scott are recent success stories in what we set out to achieve. We provide talented players with a platform to showcase and enhance their abilities.
Our continued success in that area is huge testament to our manager Stephen Robinson, his coaching staff, our academy staff and our scouting and recruitment department.
In this particular case, significant tribute must also be paid to David Henderson, our head physiotherapist, for his outstanding dedication to David’s physical and mental rehabilitation over the last 12 months.
As chairman, I am delighted with this clear vindication of our strategy. For the health and prosperity of our fan-owned club, we must continue on this path.
As a fan, I also feel the loss of such talented individuals who contribute to our success on the pitch. Everyone at the club does, particularly our manager. Stephen has performed phenomenally across his almost four years in charge.
The money we receive for David will allow us in part to build up the strategic reserve, which helps secure and sustain us through such difficult and uncertain times. But this is also an opportunity to invest in the infrastructure, for example our training ground, academy and other facilities, with a view to providing an even-better environment for player development.
We wish David every success for the future. He is a local boy who has supported this club all of his life and has given us many memorable moments on the pitch. His agreement to extend his contract is a testament to his integrity and in doing so he secured the club’s interests as well as his own.
As I’ve said above, as a fan, I regret to see him leave Fir Park. But the club can take pride knowing we have played a part in help develop this exceptionally talented footballer and young man, whose legacy will endure for many years.
Jim McMahon Chairman
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