Swindon Warn Clubs off Charlie Austin

[Macmoish]

"Not for Sale"
- Which of course means, he's for sale.


Swindon Advertizer - Swindon Town chairman warns other clubs off prized asset Austin
Monday 30th August 2010
Sam Morshead »

SWINDON Town chairman Andrew Fitton has issued a hands-off warning to admirers of Charlie Austin, saying the striker is “not for sale”.

The Advertiser understands a host of clubs, including Championship Millwall, have made enquiries about the 21-year-old hotshot, although no official bid has yet made its way onto the County Ground supremo’s desk.

Austin, who is valued at over £2 million by the Robins’ management team, has been rumoured to have attracted the attention of Millwall boss Kenny Jackett for several months.

But in the wake of speculation yesterday that the Lions have made a formal attempt to snatch the starlet from Wiltshire, Fitton stressed how determined Town are to keep their prized asset.

“Charlie Austin is not for sale,” he said. “We are not entertaining any offers for Charlie Austin.”

Sources close to the club told the Advertiser several clubs have made contact with Swindon - with regards to both Austin and other first-team squad members - but, in the case of the former Poole Town man, the approaches were neither official nor anywhere near acceptable.

“There has been no official bid but there have been enquiries made but they have had to be told they do not have enough money,” said our source. “Some of them have been laughable.”

www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/8360451.Swindon_Town_chairman_warns_other_clubs_off_prized_asset_Austin/

[The Scooter]

Was recommended to QPR whilst he was at Poole Town......

[Macmoish]

Well that's a shame...Especially given all the players we did sign.
A non-league signing is almost a zero risk. If he flops, so be it. (Kind of like a Premiership club signing a youth International such as Sterling)

Like we missed out on Beckford and Cook when they were both non-League (although at the time we were linked)...And some others over the years

[The Scooter]

Wade Elliott recommended to the Club whilst he was at Bashley by the same scout who recommended Austin.

[Macmoish]

I guess signing these kind of players don't bring in the same kind of money for agents, etc...!

[The Scooter]

Bingo bango!

[Macmoish]

Swindon Gazette and Herald/Anthony Marshall

SWINDON TOWN: Wilson slams rivals for trying to unsettle Austin

Wednesday 1st September 2010

DANNY Wilson has accused clubs of trying to unsettle Charlie Austin, after Town knocked back deadline day bids for their star striker.

Millwall put in a transfer deadline day £600,000 offer for the 21-year-old yesterday morning, which was instantly rejected, while fellow Championship side Portsmouth also enquired about the highly-rated front man only to be told he was not for sale.

Austin went on to score his third goal of the season last night as Swindon progressed to the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with a 3-0 at Southampton.

But Wilson was angry with the behaviour of rival clubs trying to snare and upset the youngster.

“They did (put in a formal bid) but it was nowhere near our valuation, so why would be let an asset like that go?” said the boss.

“We were very disappointed that it got into the papers like it did.

“I don’t know why people and clubs cannot do their business properly and correctly instead of trying to upset players and putting things public.

“If we say no, we mean no. You’ve seen so many times players get affected by this but thankfully Charlie is not like that and trusts us in what we are doing.”

Town brought one familiar face back to the County Ground yesterday as they sealed a 12-month deal for full-back Alan Sheehan.

The Irishman had his Leeds contract terminated yesterday and promptly signed for the club he enjoyed a successful loan spell with last year.

“With Alan, we thought we needed some left-sided cover in that area,” said Wilson.

“He thought he was going to the Championship, and so did we, but it hasn’t transpired so he has to roll his sleeves up and try to get himself in our team.”

One deal which fell through on deadline day though was that of versatile forward Alan Gow.

Despite sorting out personal terms on Monday and passing a medical yesterday morning, the Advertiser understands Gow returned to the club later in the day demanding a “considerable rise” on to his already-agreed basic wage.

With chairman Andrew Fitton out of the country on business, Jeremy Wray was in charge of tying up the day’s transfer dealings, and the club's director was less than impressed with Gow's antics.

He told the Advertiser: “It is frustrating that somebody wants to try and change the deal right at the last minute, but it was clearly all about him (Gow) and the money.

“We want players who have a passion and desire to play for Swindon Town. If someone comes in, shows that passion and desire, and plays well for us then they are more than welcome to go and knock on Andrew’s door and ask for improved terms.

“But he was trying to improve it before he had even pulled on a Swindon shirt and kicked a ball for the club. That is a disgrace.”

www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/sport/swindontown/news/8363802.Wilson_slams_rivals_for_trying_to_unsettle_Austin/

[Macmoish]

"...Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth are understood to have enquired about the former Poole Town front man"
You don't "enquire" - You buy!


Swindon Advertiser
SWINDON TOWN: Happy to stay
Thursday 2nd September 2010

By Anthony Marshall »

CHARLIE Austin believes Town were right to reject transfer deadline day approaches for himself, insisting he is more than happy with life at the County Ground.

The 21-year-old striker is one of the hottest properties in the Football League and attracted interest from a host of Championship sides on Tuesday before the window slammed shut.

Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth are understood to have enquired about the former Poole Town front man, while Millwall saw a £600,000 bid flatly rejected by Swindon’s management.

And after scoring the second goal in their 3-0 win at Southampton the same evening, Austin celebrated by rushing to the away fans clutching the Town badge on his shirt in an apparent show of commitment.

“It (the celebration) shows I’m still a Swindon Town player and what this club means to me,” he told the Advertiser.

“The fans were great and got right behind us at Southampton.

“There’s not really too much to say (about interest from other clubs).

“I didn’t know too much about it - I saw it on Tuesday morning but just thought it was speculation.

“I’m still a Swindon player after the transfer deadline though and what the club did, they did right.”

Austin played the role of both goalscorer and creator on Tuesday as Swindon secured their first win of the season in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

And now the forward is determined to take that form into league action this weekend.

“You’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do for the team to get a win. And we did that on Tuesday,” he explained. It is still early in the season but we really wanted a win and we got it against Southampton.

“Hopefully we can kick on from now on.”

www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/headlines/8365875.Happy_to_stay/