Gartside Keeps Purse Strings Tight

Last updated : 19 August 2004 By Mark Heys
Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside has defended his decision to keep the purse strings tight with regards to spending and is adament that this will remain the case in the very immediate future to safeguard the club in the long term.

Gartside beleives that the methods of bringing in proven players on Free Transfers, Loan deals and short term contracts is a successfully tried and tested arrangement and he feels that such moves will be of benefit to the club in the long term.

Bolton have outlayed just £1 million in transfer fees on eight new signings this summer in comparison to other clubs such as Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City and weekend opponents Fulham who have all been given the go-ahead by their chairman to spend.

Both Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce and star player Jay-Jay Okocha have recently pleaded with the board to splash the cash but Gartside is happy for things to continue in the same vein.

"That's how it will always be" he told the Bolton Evening News

"Compare what we have done with Chelsea. They've signed seven players for £68 million, we've brought in eight for £1 million. Who's doing it right?"

"I noticed Jay-Jay saying the other day that we should change our transfer policy, but i reminded him that is was that transfer policy that brought him here in the first place"