More Confusion At Sincil Bank

27th June 2006

Lincoln City FC have been plunged into fresh confusion today over the contract situation of Imps' striker Gary Birch.

Last Wednesday, the club revealed that Birch had agreed to sign a new contract. However, Birch has now gone to the Lincolnshire Echo to dismiss these claims.

"Apparently, the club released a statement saying, in principle, I had agreed a new deal and would be staying next season. I was surprised by those reports - they were certainly premature."

Instead, Birch says that he sent a letter stating that he "would not be signing any contract until I had spoken to the new management team."

Birch was one of four out of contract players who were offered new deals by Lincoln City FC but he has stalled over the new terms due to personal reasons.

The news that Birch had accepted his new contract came on the same day of the confusion surrounding Marvin Robinson's departure to Macclesfield Town. Lincoln City stated that Robinson had "verbally agreed" to his new contract, yet later that same day, were shocked to find out that he had signed for Macclesfield.

In regard to the Birch situation, the club pointed to receiving a letter from the player that gave his assurances that he would sign the new contract.

Based on those reports on June 21st, The Forgotten Imp wrote: "Lincoln City FC have stated that Birch has agreed in writing that he remain at the club, so there should be no confusion unlike in the cases of several other players of recent years."

Oh how wrong we were........!

Click here for more Lincoln City news