Planet Swans ArchivesAfter initially turning down the first offer from the London side, Roger was asked to re-consider with a vastly improved offer but finally today said “No” and the deal is now, as I understand from Roger dead and buried.
Make no bones about it this was a generous offer and one that many people would find difficult to say No to. The figures offered to our keeper were figures that some of us can only dream of and I know that it would take me nigh on five years to earn what he was offered as a per annum figure.
As we revealed yesterday, this was Roger’s decision and not that of Swansea City. They would have let him go had he wanted to and, irrespective of what he is earning at the moment, I have no doubt that Tony Petty would have let him go as well.
It is now time to repay Roger for this loyalty and show our appreciation of him at Saturday’s game against Rushden and Diamonds. To Roger, the happiness of his family is everything and this was a major factor in his decision. It just shows, that not everyone is money motivated and this is what makes him so different to so many of the footballers that ply their trade in the Premiership.
Roger said this afternoon “No doubt some will think I have made the wrong choice. But I want to play for Swansea, that is all that matters to me football wise and my family are happy. I have played at Wembley, won trophies and been capped for Wales while I have been at the Vetch so there is certainly no lack of ambition. It was a tempting offer that they put in front of me but this is my testimonial season and, as I have stated before, I don’t want to leave this club. Everyone has always been brilliant to me here and I hope to be around for quite some time yet.”
He certainly is someone different in the modern game and please do show your appreciation for this remarkable act of loyalty that he has shown.
Sadly, there is only one Roger Freestone. If only there were more like him.
