Whitmore in limbo at Hull JAMAICA'S midfielder Theodore "Tappa" Whit-more seems intent on reclaiming favour and place at Boothferry Park where manager Brian Little offered him a free transfer at the end of last season. According to a report posted on the English Third Division team's web site yesterday, Whitmore and his Jamaican teammate, Ian "Pepe" Goodison, were booked on a flight back to England on Saturday after their latest international commitments with Jamaica and both were due to link up with their Hull City teammates in pre-season training yesterday. The lanky, but crafty linkman who has one year remaining on his contract, rarely figured in Little's plans during the second half of last season and then faded out of the picture completely following a tragic car accident in Jamaica which led to the death of his Jamaican teammate Stephen "Shorty" Malcolm, a former trialist with the Tigers. Prior to the accident, Whitmore had figured prominently in the Tigers' campaign, but there seemed to have been a major fall-out when Whitmore played a World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago after failing to return for important City fixtures after the accident which claimed Malcolm's life. The club was of the impression that Whitmore was not physically and mentally prepared for play and his action seemed to have left a bitter taste at Hull where he plummeted from hero to zero. Only a few months earlier, cash-strapped Hull had placed a one million pound sterling transfer tag on the Jamaican World Cup star, who is among their highest paid players. He scored twice in Jamaica's only victory 2-1 over Japan in their France '98 Cup debut. Whitmore was one of five players handed free transfers soon after the end of the club's campaign last season, when they gave a clear signal of their intentions by releasing Whitmore to play in the regional Copa Caribe (formerly Shell Cup). On the other hand Goodison, for whom the club made a plea to the JFF to have in the play-offs for promotion, looks set to play a key role in Little's plans for next season. However, his presence and suggestions at Boothferry Park indicate that Whitmore wants to stay at City and is prepared to fight for a first team place at the start of the season. Tigers' chairman Adam Pearson has stressed the club's position regarding Whitmore had not changed and the free transfer arrangement was still in place. "Our information is that Theo is due to return to training along with Ian but we're still looking to off-load him. He is aware of the situation," said Pearson. Four other players who were offered free transfers David Brown, John Eyre, Gary Brabin and Lee Bracey all returned to the start of pre-season training last week. Hull made 11 signings this summer and of the new recruits, Scott Kerr, Julian Johnsson, David Lee, Ryan Williams and David Beresford are all recognised midfielders. To add to Whitmore's problems, he is one of the highest paid players on the club's books. City are understandably reluctant to commit themselves to a salary of around 2,000 pounds sterling a week for someone who is not assured of a regular first team place. Provided Whitmore returned on time, the Tigers are likely to hold talks with him as soon as possible, if only to outline the latest situation. As yet, City have not received any firm enquiries for the 28-year-old and Pearson played down reports linking Whitmore with American club Miami Fusion and a possible move to Bulgaria.
|
