Southend United deny Championship interest in Anthony Grant

Last updated : 06 January 2011 By westfield shrimper
Grant: Late equaliser for Southend

No interest in Granty says the club, so that's all right then

Shrimpers player-of-the-year so far, the former Chelsea youth Anthony Grant, was a surprise substitute in the defeat against Cheltenham, though he was on quick enough as we went two down after five minutes!

Though having gone for a scan on an earlier ankle injury, and not expected to be seen for a while, rumours had been spreading that he had been withdrawn from the squad that were chosen in the win against Oxford United due to a bid being made by an unamed Championship club, both Reading and Bristol City hinted that they might take a punt on the player earlier in the season.

As one of the 'Shrimpers 4' that showed some loyalty as others jumped ship and the way he clapped the fans at the end of the Robins game, hopefully just a normal thank-you for your support, not a farewell, any stories that he personally wants to leave should be dismissed.

It would all be about the money.

However, don't panic, all is well, Blues boss Paul Sturrock has spoken.

Luggy told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I would like to calm supporters fears by telling them that we have not had a single bid or enquiry about him so far. We are keen to keep all of our quality players but, at the same time, we are a football club and a business and every player does have their price. If someone matches our valuation of a player then we would obviously have to think about it. However, we would only accept it if we could sort out bringing someone else in, so it would be like a revolving door."

And let's face it, we're always told the truth from Roots Hall Towers, though I'm sure Luggs believes what he says, as Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin is putting the phone down to another dodgy agent!

So expect Snoop Dog to be off within the fortnight then, where we might not see a lot of dosh.

Bilel Mohsni and Barry Corr have also been the subject of scouts sitting in the stands as clubs know Roots Hall is a destination if you want to pick up a decent bargin.

Of course, if he's really ambitious, Granty could always join Josh Simpson at Crawley Town, now that's a club going somewhere.