Scoffham's Dream Slipping Away

Last updated : 10 February 2004 By Joanna Walker
Gedling Town striker Steve Scoffham today spoke of his fear that his dream move into professional football with Notts County may now not happen because of the on-going argument between the two clubs regarding a fee for the 20 year old.

Gary Mills last week offered to buy the striker with a rumoured five figure offer based on the number of appearances Scoffham makes for Notts in the future, while
Gedling Town’s chairman is thought to be looking a single flat fee.

Roland Ash, Gedling’s chairman says the two clubs are still “some way apart” in their valuation of the top scoring player who has featured for
Gedling Town for the past three seasons.

Ash said, as quoted in the Nottingham Evening Post: “I don't want to be seen as an ogre in all of this. People may see me as being the man who is stopping the lad from having his chance, but that is not it at all.”

“The offer Notts made was just not what the player is worth and I have to act in the best interests of Gedling Town. All we want is the money we have paid him in wages and a bit to help with redeveloping our stadium.”

Scoffham has made it clear he no longer wants to play for Gedling Town despite being contracted until the end of the 2005 season and his wish is to accept Mills’ offer and move to Notts. He realises he will most probably have to take a pay cut to what he is earning now and give up his daytime building job but he is prepared to take the gamble.

“I played in Notts' reserves last week and set my heart on a move to Notts. Gary Mills has said he wants me to sign and I want to go. You don't get this kind of chance very often.” he said.

“I might have to take a pay cut to go there, because I would have to give up work, but the money doesn't matter. What matters is that I have been given a dream chance and I want to take it.”

“I'm grateful to Gedling Town but I don't want to play there any more. They must understand what this chance means and I hope they can be realistic in their demands.”