Double transfer deal falls through at eleventh hour

YORK City's deal to sign Ebbsfleet United duo Darius Charles and Michael Gash has hit a major hitch after defender Charles opted not to join the Minstermen.

 

City announced on Monday that they had signed the duo for a combined fee of £80,000, along with out-of-contract team-mate Neil Barrett.

However, after Charles's decision not to relocate to York, they will have to renegotiate the fee for striker Gash.

The hitch will not affect the deal for midfielder Barrett, 27.

Owners MyFootballClub had backed Fleet's recommendation to sell defender Charles and striker Gash with an internet vote, while Barrett was out of contract.

Of the initial deal, City boss Martin Foyle told the club website: "It's a big coup for York City - we have a great squad of players."

Of the 2,896 members of subscription website MyFootballClub who voted, a clear majority of 78% (2,272) wanted to accept the bid.

The Blue Square Premier side said they needed the duo off their books to clear some of the wage bill for new players.

Gash was top scorer last season, with Charles named player of the year.

Manager Liam Daish, the Fleet board and the club's accountant revealed that the pair take up almost half the annual budget in wages.

At the time of the initial announcement, Daish told BBC Radio Kent: "I don't think I could get 15 players with 50% of my budget. It was all about business sense.

"I don't want to lose Darius Charles and Michael Gash. We can't offer them longer security and we've got a sizeable bid on the table so for me it's a no brainer.

"We're always going to try and stay full-time, work the oracle in pre-season, get the right players at the right price and see how it goes from there."

The deal would have taken the Fleet's budget from £4,490 a week to £6,250 and closer to the minimum target of £7,000 believed to be required to compete in the Blue Square Premier.

Chairman John Moules said last week he he thought it was time to rebuild the team anyway.

"The squad have been together for two-and-a-half years," he said.

"Sometimes it works where you change the squad every two to three years anyway, but it is a shame to lose some of the players that we've lost."

Lance Cronin and Paul McCarthy are the only other senior players from last season left at the club, and according to Moules it will mean more realistic ambitions next season.

"First aim has got to be retain our status in the Blue Square Premier," he said.

"But really to stabilise ourselves will be the best we're looking for this year and anything above that will be a success."

Article courtesy of BBC Radio Kent – www.bbc.co.uk/kent 

Visit Ebbsfleet United's website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk