Kenny Jackett has made a somewhat surprise addition to his squad with the signing today of Swindon defender Andy Gurney on a free transfer.
Gurney, who has signed a three year deal at the Vetch is described as a versatile defender who can play in the centre of defence, right back or in midfield which at the moment appears to be the position that he could have been signed for.
Swindon have released no details of the transfer state on their official web site that the move has come out of the blue and Town manager Andy King is expected to make comment on it tomorrow when he returns to the training ground.
Gurney has been an almost ever present in the Swindon side since being signed on a free transfer from Reading in 2001 after previous spells at both Torquay United and his home town side Bristol Rovers. Jackett himself was ‘delighted that Andy had signed for the Swans and will be a valuable member of the squad.
News of the transfer got a mixed reaction immediately from Swindon fans. Some were glad to see the back of him whilst others wondered why the transfer happened and were sad to see a player like Gurney leave. One Town fan claimed that he has heard it’s not for ‘footballing reasons’
Having said that how many players have we seen down the Vetch that have been what we would class as poor performers who have then gone on to do a job elsewhere? The least we owe a new signing is the chance to prove himself and the very fact that he was almost ever present in a side that reached the play offs for a place in the championship last season must say something for the player.
Welcome to the Vetch Andy – prove the Swindon critics wrong?
ANDY GURNEY CAREER STATS
Club |
Fee |
League |
FA Cup |
League cup |
Other |
Swindon |
Free |
132 (0) |
22 |
4 (0) |
2 |
4 (0) |
1 |
4 (1) |
0 |
Reading |
£ 100000 |
55 (12) |
3 |
5 (1) |
0 |
5 (0) |
0 |
5 (1) |
0 |
Torquay |
Free |
67 (0) |
10 |
5 (0) |
1 |
5 (0) |
0 |
2 (0) |
0 |
Bristol R |
Trainee |
100 (8) |
9 |
5 (0) |
0 |
7 (0) |
1 |
14 (0) |
0 |
Totals |
£ 100000 |
354 (20) |
44 |
19 (1) |
3 |
21 (0) |
2 |
25 (2) |
0 |
goals / game |
0.11 |
0.15 |
0.09 |
0 |
|
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
|