Phoenix in Porter claim
WELLINGTON Phoenix, the
New Zealand club desperate to
sign Joel Porter, claim to have
agreed a deal with the Hartlepool
United player.
But their hopes of signing the
striker have hit a brick wall after
Pools instigated a one-year option
on his contract.
With the Australian A-League
side being long-term admirers of
the striker, they have now approached
the PFA for guidance.
Porter is tied to Victoria Park
for another 12 months after the
club last week triggered an extra
year on his deal, one of nine
players to be staying at Victoria
Park following the announcement
of the retained list.
"We're trying to see whether
there can be any options," said
their chief executive Tony Pignata,
who last week said Porter
had been given two weeks to decide
on his future.
"He wants to come, he's
agreed to terms and we're happy
to move forward. He wants to
move and accepted an offer on
his house, so it's a messy one."
He added: "We haven't moved
any closer but we're still tapping
away.
"If we don't get Porter, we get
plan B. If we don't get plan B,
then I suppose we're back to
plan C.
"We definitely need another
striker, it's just a matter of who
and seeing whether they can fit
under the (salary) cap. Ideally,
it will have to be someone from
overseas, but we're always talking
to people.''
Pools have refused to comment
on the situation, but they
are unlikely to be receptive to
Phoenix's stance. Club chairman
Ken Hodcroft firmly believes
that his players and staff should
stick to their contracts.
11:00am Wednesday 14th May 2008
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