Planet Swans ArchivesBrian Flynn has once again said that Richard Duffy was wrong to leave Swansea for the bright lights of Portsmouth when he did. Flynn, was the manager when Duffy made his debut the first time around and was also still in charge when Portsmouth came knocking and Duffy left in January 2004.
Duffy has made Just one sub appearance and one league cup appearance in his time at Portsmouth and spent a couple of months on loan at Burnley and the best part of the last two years on loan at Coventry.
But this week he returned to Swansea on a loan deal until the end of the season and made his debut in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bradford. Flynn though is adamant that the best thing for Richard would have been to stay at Swansea and learn his trade for a little longer before having his head turned by bigger things
“I think Richard should have stayed at Swansea. That’s what I thought when Portsmouth came in for him.” Flynn told News of the World
“Swansea were in League Two at the time and the jump from there to the Premier League is quite large. I told him not to go to Portsmouth. I told him to stay with us until he was 19 or 20 and get 100-120 league games under his belt.
“I’m a big believer in young players learning their trade. I told him playing reserve team football wouldn’t be any good for him. Young players should move at the right time and when they are ready for it. I fought tooth and nail to try and keep Richard. It was his decision to leave.
“I didn’t want to lose him and neither did the club – i thought it would have been better for him if he stayed.”
Flynn though and Duffy are both happy to see the player back in Swansea – so much has changed in the three years since he left. Flynn said “It’s a very exciting challenge for Richard. I think both parties will benefit from the deal.”
Whilst Duffy added “Without a doubt, this is a different club to the one I left. We’re already in a higher division, the quality of players here is good and we have a stadium that some Premiership clubs would be proud of.
“I left when w were in League Two but now really this club belongs in the championship and the reason I’ve come here is to help get promotion. I’ve seen how our fan base has trebled and anyone can see how big we are becoming.”
