Marlon King to sign for Coventry City this week?
WHETHER YOU'RE FOR him, or against, the arrival of Marlon King to Coventry City looks imminent.
King was sat in the stands for Saturday's match against Derby, but that's not why I'm convinced he's on his way. It's no secret that he and Boothroyd have maintained a close relationship since King played under him at Watford, so one shouldn't read too much into his mere presence at the Ricoh.
Rather, it was Boothroyd's words after the match that has had me checking news channels and websites ever since I heard them, expecting any minute to hear breaking news of King's signature.
King's presence at the game hadn't gone unnoticed by the journalist who conducted the post-match interview with Boothroyd. And, naturally, this journalist asked Boothroyd whether he was about to sign his guest of honour.
It wasn't so much what Boothroyd said that was so revealing to me, but what he didn't say. It's common practice for a manager in this situation to immediately play down such a link, to clarify the situation as nothing more than speculation around the visit of an old colleague and friend.
Even if Boothroyd was bent on signing King, one would expect him to quell the situation in case words to the contrary would stand to jeopardise any potential deal. You can imagine how Ray Ranson might react if his negotiating position with King's agent was compromised by errant words to the press by his manager...
But Boothroyd made no effort to distance himself from the notion of King signing for the Sky Blues. Instead, he made pains to defend King as a human being, and stress the importance of sticking by a man who gave him no problems to speak of during their time together.
A recent poll on the Coventry Telegraph website asked whether King would be welcomed. As I recall, the result was almost a 50/50 split. My mind was also split in two over the matter, but hearing Boothroyd's post-match intimations made me more excited about the prospect of King's arrival than I anticipated.
Call me indecorous, or even morally bereft, but the thought of having a Premiership-quality striker at my club sent a tingle down my spine and all around my nether regions.
No, I wouldn't want the guy dating my sister, or babysitting my kids (if I had any), but I really don't have any objections with him playing for the football club I support. He's been tried for the wrongs he has done, and served his time. As far as I'm concerned, until he steps out of line again, he deserves a chance.
That said, one foot out of line, and I'd chase him out of the club quicker than you can say 'restraining order'.
4 Comments
Latest Football League video
Ian
Ive written about my thoughts on a Marlon King signing and recorded some doubts however I agree with you it seems likely that it is about to happen
I would say we'll all have to be careful with language if it does. There's no suggestion at all that Marlon King is a danger to children and I'm sure you didnt
mean to imply that
Totally agree Ian, I had the exact same feeling of unexpected excitement when the thought of Marlon playing for us became closer to reality.
Awsome post !! What cms do you use on your site ?
Highly descriptive article, I enjoyed that a lot. Will there be a part
2?