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Varney Was Close to League One Move
Saturday, 20th Aug 2016 06:00

Town striker Luke Varney was close to joining a League One club — believed to be Port Vale — before a call on his mobile from Mick McCarthy saw him heading in the opposite direction and back to Suffolk.

Varney said: “It was out of the blue what happened. I had spoken to Mick a couple of weeks ago and I was picking his brain about clubs that had rung me about a possible move. He told me a few had also been in touch with him and we just left it at that.

“I spoke to another two clubs, both in League One, but I was obviously trying my hardest to stay in the Championship. Then I had a call at 8.30 last Thursday morning and it said on my phone ‘Mick McCarthy’. I thought he would be calling to ask me about players.

“I was actually going out for a run at the time so I asked if I could call him back a bit later. ‘Hold on,’ he said, ‘I’ve got something for you.’ He asked if I fancied coming back and I said ‘Of course I do but can I still ring you back?’

“Typical of Mick, when I got back from my run and rang him back he said he’d found someone else. I said ‘You’re joking, I’ve just told the other clubs who contacted me that I’m no longer interested’.

“Thankfully, he said he still wanted me and said, ‘See you down here tomorrow morning’. Suddenly, from sitting at home every day I was off to pack for the trip and I couldn’t wait to get down here.

“It’s absolutely brilliant to be back. There’s been no need for any settling-in process — for obvious reasons — but on my first day the lads hid my clothes and cut my laces, the sort of stuff they do to welcome a new signing and which I’m well used to by now.

“I can cope with all that but I admit I’m trying to get out of singing a song, which is the normal initiation. This is my third time with the club but I’m told Hunty [Stephen Hunt] did it about 17 times so I might need to get a song ready just in case.”

Varney has spent a lot of time away from the family home during his career but his wife is 100 per cent behind his return to Town. He added: “I had promised her after the final game of last season ‘That’s it, I’ll be living at home now’ but she was all for it because she knows the place and how much I loved it here.

“It means a lot to be staying in the Championship and prolonging my career at this level for as long as possible was always the aim. My wife jumped at the chance as much as I did.”


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battyblue added 06:58 - Aug 20
Well Luke really hope you do well for us i know your work rate is not in question but can't see what has changed from not being wanted one minute then suddenly MM changes his mind ,desperation i would say but thats not your fault good luck .
4

Mick_Mills_Tache added 07:09 - Aug 20
Think that says it all.....
7

yerfdog87 added 07:23 - Aug 20
Boring. Gimme a break, he's useless
-2

jas0999 added 08:42 - Aug 20
I'm really at a loss what to say. Even Varney didn't seem too bothered first off. Mick clearly didn't want him but s simply making do. Varney clearly more suited to league one. Bizarre.
7

BlueGoonie added 09:27 - Aug 20
Nice guy, grafter, but not the quality of player who's going to help us challenge for the top 6.

I thought our transfer policy was about bringing in players better than we already have? I'd rather use Ben Morris as our back up striker.

Do we have a transfer policy??
3

Eireannach_gorm added 10:17 - Aug 20
The transfer policy is based on paying the least amount possible with free being the preferred option.
1

Andy32Cracknell added 11:19 - Aug 20
I can only agree with everyone else. Really nice bloke, works very hard but very uninspiring. Id honestly get more excited if MM put Smith and Chamber back in the middle and signed an exciting young attacking right back.
3

Fixed_It added 13:36 - Aug 20
I have absolutely no issue with LV returning as a squad player. Good professional who won't expect to be in the team, but will bust a gut whenever given a chance from the bench. I suspect he has a positive influence on the others behind the scenes too - something that shouldn't be underestimated.
3

Taricco_Fan added 17:23 - Aug 20
Say no more.
0

TimmyH added 18:40 - Aug 20
League one at this time of his career is where he now belongs...
0

wayway added 21:38 - Aug 20
So we take on a player who was destined for a league one club. Just about sums up what a sad state this once great club is in. EVANS OUT
0


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