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JIM - I COULDN'T STAND IN HIS WAY

Gannon Justifies Decision To Let Dicko Go To Derby

Following his return from his summer break, Stockport County manager Jim Gannon has justified his decision to release Liam Dickinson to League Championship Derby County. 

As was revealed exclusively by County 4 Life hours before official websites revealed the news of Dickinson's departure, County's top scorer last season with 21 goals, moved to Pride Park in a £1m deal, and while Gannon is disappointed to see the 22-year-old striker go, he understood that he couldn't stand in his way after Derby manager Paul Jewell offered him a four-year deal.

Gannon said, "I didn't want to sell him. I owe a duty of care to everybody at Stockport County to put ourselves in a position to go forward and to be very competitive next season and Liam was a big part of that. I also have a responsibility to players if a reasonable, respectable figure - obviously at the top end - is offered. How can I deny a player an opportunity to play in the Championship or Premiership, getting four years on a lucrative deal with the type of money that would ensure a future for his family and himself?"

Rumours on Dickinson's replacement are rife, with Bury's Andy Bishop mooted for a move to Edgeley Park and also a move for Morecambe's Carl Baker is seemingly on the cards. 

DICKO'S DERBY DECISION

County's Top Scorer Moves To Pride Park Pending Medical

County 4 Life can exclusively reveal that Stockport County have accepted a £1m bid from Derby County for Liam Dickinson and pending a medical today (Tuesday) will sign for Paul Jewell.

This will put an end to the never-ending transfer speculation linked to County's top scorer after his twenty-first goal of the season helped County secure their first promotion in eleven years, and Derby County will win the race with fierce rivals Nottingham Forest for his signature.

As was reported by County 4 Life last week, Dickinson was advised to cut short his holiday in Ayia Napa to seek assistance after Nottingham Forest had tables a £1.1m bid, but it looks like Derby has become Dicko's club of choice.  

More to Follow...!

ALL QUIET

Just One In, But MD Promises More Action

Apart from right-back Johnny Mullins being drafted in from Blue Square Premier outfit Mansfield Town, nothing other than speculation and contract negotiations have come out of Edgeley Park after another week of agony for County fans.

Although Jim Gannon is currently on holiday, County’s managing director Mark Maguire remains confident that there will be more transfer activity in the next ten days.

"We’ve got a number of ongoing situations at present." said Maguire. "We’ve made formal enquiries about two goalkeepers and we’re still waiting to hear back at this stage. We’ve made a substantial offer for one of those goalkeepers. The ball is very much in the court of the people concerned. Including the goalkeepers, we’ve enquired about three or four players, but they are still very much at the discussion and negotiation stage. I would say a busy week to 10 days is in store, particularly once Jim Gannon returns from holiday, some exciting moves are set to be made I feel."

The bid to re-sign Chester City winger Kevin Ellison is still very much alive, despite the Deva Stadium club being hit by a transfer embargo this week, according to Maguire."There are no issues with our move for Kevin," added Maguire. "He still wants to come to County - a fee has been agreed with Chester - so that deal should be brought to a conclusion very soon."

Meanwhile, County 4 Life have been advised from a very reliable source that a massive £1.1m has been tabled to lure County's top scorer Liam Dickinson away from Edgeley Park.

Despite strong rumours suggesting Derby County's initial 'derisory' bid was said to have risen, it is in fact their League Championship rivals Nottingham Forest who have renewed their interest, and County 4 Life can report with confidence that Dickinson had been advised to cut short his trip to Ayia Napa to sort out contacts. 

Another player looking increasingly likely to be leaving Edgeley Park is right-back Jamie Smith. The former Liverpool man, whose County contract was up for renewal this summer, was offered a new and improved deal to extend his stay at Edgeley Park after helping County up from League Two, only for it to be turned down by the player’s agent. County chiefs then refused to meet Smith’s subsequent over-exhuberant demands.

Remours were that negotiations were well underway with Smith directly until his agent interfered and ultimately negotations broke down, then out of the blue, Smith demanded to be one of the top earners at Edgeley Park and it looks now that the popular full back will be fast-tracked to the Edgeley Park exit.

Will Mullins now on board, Smith will no been seen as surplus to requirements.

Poll - Which Team Was Better? Gannon '08? or Jones '97?

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