Campbell walks away from Notts County
Defender Leaves League Two club in Controversial Circumstances
Oct 6, 2009
Former England defender Sol Campbell’s decision to stave off retirement with a spell at Notts County has turned to disaster. Going there in the first place always looked like an eccentric move, though the money presumably helped. Released by Portsmouth in the summer, it was assumed his free agent status had more to do with the financial problems surrounding Fratton Park than anything Campbell had or hadn’t done.
When he agreed a five-year deal with County that would have kept him in employment until close to his fortieth birthday, it seemed he had found the perfect club for his waxing years. In England’s fourth tier but clearly ambitious and with enough money to find work for Sven-Göran Eriksson, a man not known for thrifty living, the Nottingham set-up promised Campbell an opportunity to be a central part of something new and exciting. He’d be there as the Magpies’ steady rise started. He might even still be around when they returned to the top flight, a division they hadn’t troubled since 1992.
Campbell Played One Match for Notts County
Instead, Campbell’s new career move ended swiftly and in circumstances of high farce. Obviously failing to adjust to life in the lower climes of the Football League, the centre back played just one game for his club – a 2-1 defeat at Morecambe – before asking to have his contract torn up. County showed some dignity in letting him go. Executive Chairman Peter Trembling admitted to being disappointed, but noted that he didn’t want Campbell to stay against his will and wished him the best for the future.
It was at this point the inevitable muck-raking began. With distance between him and Meadow Lane, Campbell claimed he left because he had been misled over the club’s transfer targets. It seemed he was told that he would soon be rubbing shoulders with football legend Roberto Carlos and Benjani Mwaruwari, the Zimbabwean striker who continues to claim a £50k weekly wage in Manchester City’s reserves. Neither player signed. Trembling expressed bewilderment over the story, stating that Benjani was never more than a fanciful rumour and talk of Roberto Carlos went as far as a conversation with Eriksson. County’s targets didn’t go far beyond players who were good by the standards of League Two. Attracting anyone with a more illustrious pedigree was virtually impossible because of County’s lowly league status. Indeed, Campbell was about as good as it got, and just look at how that deal turned out.
Lessons Learned by County
The lesson for Trembling and Eriksson was clear enough. Having wasted time, effort and money in clinching the signature of a player with 73 England caps to his name, only to humiliate his new club by finding the level of football, small crowds, lack of column inches and paltry facilities weren’t to his liking, it’s unlikely they will pursue anyone of a similar status for some time. Signing Campbell was a classic instance of over-reaching themselves. His fleeting appearance for the side might have brought them some attention, but the end result wasn’t worth it.
As for the player, Campbell is now unable to sign for another side until the January transfer window opens, in accordance with the sport’s rules. Questions remain over who would have him. Can the risks justify the outlay for a defender whose best days are behind him, his last appearance for England coming in 2007; five years ago being his most recent name check in the Professional Footballers Association’s Team of the Year?
Campbell's Controversial Past
Neither is this his first brush with controversy. Starting as a striker at Tottenham, Campbell established himself once he’d switched to central defence and assumed the captaincy, taking over from where Garry Mabbutt left off. By 2001 and with over 250 first team appearances under his belt, Campbell left White Hart Lane after refusing to sign a new contract. His destination was Arsenal, Spurs’ closest rivals. Though he asserted he had switched in order to play Champions League football, the Tottenham supporters were unanimous in accusing him of betraying his club. He could have gone anywhere, but the move he took was a kick in the teeth for people who’d chanted his name for years.
Campbell has asked Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, if he can train with his old club in order to maintain his fitness ahead of a January move. Interesting that he didn’t approach Spurs, and it will be equally absorbing to see who takes the bait and makes him an offer. Sol Campbell doesn’t come cheap. Notts County paid him forty thousand pounds per week, enough for just about anybody to swallow their pride and forget the small stadia they are forced to play within. Not everybody, though, and clearly managers who consider snapping him up must bear in mind that he could lose interest and walk out at any moment. Faced with that prospect, is he worth it?
