Duff – they are not happy at Cheltenham

One Cheltenham web site said, “You cannot blame Duff for wanting to further his career and good luck to him, but the amount he has gone for is a joke.

“I don’t give a stuff about a friendly that was already arranged or a very unlikely sell on clause, the whole deal stinks. Duff may have had a poor season last time around, but he is work more than £30,000.”

Other Cheltenham supporters are in agreement. One said, “Yes, we are annoyed about the fee,” and that was when he thought it was £75,000.

Another supporter added, “It's devastating for us although we do have a sell on and a friendly which should raise the fee to £45,000. Still we rejected a £250,000 offer from Stoke last year so it's still depressing.”

That was followed by a fan saying, “Micky Duff had a cracking season in Division 2. A quality player and I for one am shocked and devastated by this. We have been shafted by Cotterill if you ask me.”

And finally, “Agree Cotters has realised the board aren't fully clued up and has taken the proverbial, £30,000 is a disgusting joke.”

So it looks as though we have got ourselves a bargain and Michael Duff can look back knowing he has left a good impression back at Whaddon Road, to such an extent that he left with the praise of both his Chairman and Manager.

Chairman Paul Baker told the Cheltenham official site, “On behalf of the Board and I’m sure everyone else at Cheltenham Town I would like to thank Michael for all his efforts for the club cause and to wish him every success in the future.

And we leave the last word with former Burnley coach and now Cheltenham manager John Ward who said, “As a manager you want to have your best players but this is a fantastic opportunity for Michael to establish himself in one of the top leagues in the country.

“He has definitely got what it takes to play at that level and I wish him nothing but the best.

“This morning he came down to the training ground to say goodbye to everyone in person and that is one of the reasons why he will succeed – he has his priorities in life right.”