Ranson's No Fan Of The Transfer Window

Last updated : 09 January 2009 By Covsupport News Service
Coventry City Chairman Ray Ranson has admitted that he is no fan of the transfer window.

Speaking to the club's ezine, the Chairman said: "I have to admit I am not a fan - I don't think the system really works.

Maybe I am from the old school, but I think it is restrictive and forces clubs to do all their business during the season in the space of four weeks.


It causes some clubs to panic-buy because they are trying to cover themselves for what may or may not happen in the final months of the season.

That, in turn, causes some clubs to over inflate prices because they don't particularly want to lose a player halfway through the season. That's understandable.

As you can probably see, we are not in the business of panic-buying. In the last January transfer window, we added Danny Fox and Scott Dann to the squad - two young players with a bright future ahead of them.

And, then, in the summer we brought in six players - most of whom fit into that category too. It's only to be expected that more business is going to be done by most clubs in the summer, with the odd exception.

We are looking to bring in players this month - there is no secret about that. Chris Coleman, his management team and Andy Thorn, our chief scout, have identified the players they want and we would like to bring them in as soon as possible.

But if we have to wait until the end of the season to get the right players for our long term plan, then so be it.

The situation with James McPake is a perfect case-in point.

He has already agreed to join the club in the summer but we would like him to get his Coventry City started career now - and so would James.

We are prepared to pay Livingston - his current club - a nominal fee to bring him here now but we are not going to pay silly money for a player who will be here at the end of May anyway.

As I say, we do have one or two other things we are looking to tie-up before the end of the month but it will only be done with an eye on the long term future of the club."