Blues Miss Out On Thomson

Andy Thomson was not in Ian Holloway's plans at Loftus Road

The 32-year-old, who made a total of 137 appearances on the south-east Essex coastline during four seasons with the club, was approached by Wignall after Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway told the former Doncaster Rovers chief that the striker was available. During his time at Southend, Thomson scored 29 goals, all in the League, and Wignall commented to the club's official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, "I spoke to Andy Thomson yesterday and made him an offer...he said that he would let me know within twenty-four hours and it was less than that". However, it was bad news for the Liverpudlian as the Scot decided to move back to his native Scotland and link up with Partick Thistle.

The 49-year-old boss also revealed that pre-season training was on schedule and that a few new players could be joining the club in the near future. Full-back Duncan Jupp, who made two appearances for the reserve team at the very end of the 2002/3 campaign will be speaking to Wignall for a second time tomorrow, and Wignall admitted, "hopefully we can tie things up there". And versatile defender/midfield talent Che Wilson will also discuss terms with Wignall after the Blues boss has had a chance to impress him in a match situation. Wilson was out for three months in 2003 with broken ribs, and only completed 23 full matches at Cambridge City last year.

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com