Crofts generosity ahead of City move
Last updated : 12 July 2002 By Michael Morris
There seems little doubt now that Gary Croft, 28, will sign for City on Monday. Croft played out last season for City and it's been confirmed he's been talking to Cardiff agreeing personal terms. Ipswich have released him from his contract so he can sign as a free transfer. He will have to take a pay cut as he was on Premiership wages at Ipswich and the drop to Division 2 will mean a reduction in income.
What comes as a surprise is a gesture from Croft. It's reported today that he has delayed his signing so he could be back in Grimsby, where his career began, to personally hand over a four figure cash sum to the Grimsby youth system that gave him his chnace to break into professional football. Croft played first team football for the Mariners when he was 16. The youth team need £100,000 to continue this coming season and Croft has stepped in to give something back to the game.
Croft said
"With the current financial climate it was a good way of doing my bit for Grimsby, to help keep the youth team going and to make sure this club has a future from the youth system upwards. I'm in the process of a transfer and although it means stepping down a League, Cardiff is a massive club with lots of potential. They've got great ambition and so has the chairman, Sam Hammam. It's an exciting time down there."
Excellent Gary, a superb gesture.
