How Owls’ last-ditch bid to sign Page failed

Mar 15 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

How Owls’ last-ditch bid to sign Page failed

ROB PAGE rejected the chance to remain in the Championship when he joined Town from Coventry.

Andy Ritchie has revealed that Sheffield Wednesday tried to snap up the former Wales international shortly before he signed on the dotted line at the Galpharm.

“The mark of the man was shown when Wednesday came in,” explained Ritchie, who agreed terms until the end of this season with the 33-year-old former Sheffield United centre-back.

“Rob lives in Sheffield and going to Hillsborough would have enabled him to keep playing in the Championship.

“But he had already told me he would join us and stuck to his word.”

Page, who was making his 12th Town appearance at home to Southend today, has proved highly popular with the Galpharm faithful.

And Ritchie is hopeful the relationship forged with the fans will be a factor when the former Watford and Cardiff man decides where he will play his football next season.

“I’d love to keep him here because he has been fantastic both on and off the field,” he added.

“He’s influential in the dressing room, and in some ways, it’s like having a coach out on the field with the way he organises, talks and pulls players around the pitch.

“While I’m sure we might have to fight off some other clubs, I know Rob has really enjoyed himself here and that gives us one ace up our sleeve.

“We’ve had some early talks, and if we can come up with something that would be acceptable to Rob, I’d be delighted.”

Page is one of 16 Town squad men out of contract this summer.

Talks are under way with experienced defender Frank Sinclair while Danny Schofield, having announced that he won’t be staying, is having talks with an unnamed rival club.

Ritchie confirmed that could lead to the midfielder leaving before the end of the season.

“We wanted to give Danny as much time as possible to sort something, so we’ll see what develops,” he said.