Peacock Targeted

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 08/08/2000

Peacock Targeted

News from 23rd July 2000

With Town boss Alan Buckley looking like losing the services of Lee Ashcroft to Wigan, the hunt for a replacement is taking place behind the scenes. Buckley's target is believed to be 23-year-old Manchester City striker Lee Peacock.

The Grimsby manager has been promised that any proceeds from money earnt from transfers out can be spent on transfers in, so Buckley should have around £350K at his disposal when the Ashcroft deal is completed.

6' 1" Peacock should consume most if not all of that money as the Paisley-born striker cost Man City £500K from Mansfield, and City will be looking to get most of that back for Peacock. The City striker suffered from a knee injury in the early part of last season, and had a limited number of first-team opportunities after that with the Maine Road club in the latter part of the season. Peacock is described by Man City sources as a strong physical "Shearer" type front player.

With Man City now joining the big boys in the Premier league, Peacock's chances of breaking into the first team are limited at City and he may drop a division in the hunt of regular first-team football, which would be almost guaranteed at Town as there are so few senior strikers on the books at Blundell Park (Clare, Allen and possibly Livvo).

Meanwhile Ashcroft is asking the Mariners for a pay-off before departing to Bristol City, which the club are refusing to pay as the Town striker himself instigated the move

"We're not paying him anything to leave," said Town vice-chairman Brian Huxford.
"He wants to go so why should the club pay him to leave us.
"It's entirely the player's decision, not ours, and we are very happy with the deal we've struck with Wigan."

No doubt some agreement will be reached and "Peggy" Ashcroft will no longer be a Town player by the end of the week. His replacement can be expected shortly after.

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