Winterburn to Stay?

Last updated : 14 May 2002 By Mike Reich
Many fans were disappointed, and slightly worried, when it was announced that Nigel Winterburn would be released at the end of the season in favour of Vladimir Labant.

Nigel has been an excellent player for us all year, and it is true to say that Labant is still unproven at Premiership level, and would probably suffer if he were thrown in at the deep end next season without any reasonable cover.

Nigel, speaking on the club's website yesterday, has indicated that he has his heart set on staying at West Ham, where big things could be just round the corner if the right signings are made over the summer, and the main crux of the team remains.

He is prepared to take a cut in wages - believed to be fairly substantial - in order to acheive this, and with a meeting with the Hammers boss coming up this week, Nige might once again don a claret and blue shirt.

"It is always sad to leave when you are still playing a major part for a team, but there is no bitterness. I am just a little bit disappointed because I would have liked to have stayed, and I would have taken a wage cut as well, because I want to be part of the squad.

"Things are happening here and it would have been fantastic just to have been involved for another season, but these things happen. I will speak to Glenn on Wednesday and after that we will see what happens. The only thing for sure from my point of view is that I will be playing football next season.

"I have never insisted on playing in the team because you have to earn that right, I just wanted to be part of the squad for next season. From my point of view if that meant taking less money to be part of the squad I was prepared to do that, and I still would be, but these decisions are taken away from me."

Here's hoping the meeting goes well on Wednesday.