Tom Anderson leaves

[ncRover]

Shrewsbury must have offered some decent money I'd suspect

Can’t have been any more than we did

[Colemans Left Hook]

Tom also has back issues that flair up from time to time, maybe it’s best for us anyway, good luck Tom and best wishes

For what it's worth doesn't Oluwu also have back problems  I reckon he's doing a bit of part time modelling - I remember when he first came he was a bit iffy - but settled down and has been a dependable rock.

[keith79]

Don't blame him really, the amount of abuse he got earlier in the season must have help made up his mind to leave.

When was this?

around Xmas time maybe after a loss at home. I remember grant talking about it .

[Chris Black come back]

I like Anderson and he was a brilliant servant for the club, but I have to say I did have a few doubts about handing him a new deal in L1, especially 2-3 years.

All the very best to him, he is a legend. Good opportunity to really strengthen that position now though I think.

Agree with this.

[PDX_Rover]

I loved Tom. Proper mester. Been great for us. The best of luck big fella.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Been a great servant for us and was worth a contract offer. That said it’s probably right that L2 is his level. Here he’d be a back up you’d expect and he deserves to play.

Assume we offered a 1 year deal and that, and expectations of been a starter, meant Shrews had a better offer.

[ravenrover]

2 years with a 1 year option?

[selby]

  Sedwards, Tom was our best technical defender, and when fit it showed.
  He was better positionally in the defensive area, and his distribution and areal ability because of his positioning looked easy compared with others in the division, and could pick a pass, and could mix it physically with the best.
   If he had had pace he would have never played for us, he would have been at a different level.   

[glosterred]

Tom, promoted with Donny, relegated with Shrewsbury in the same year


COYR

[IDM]

Tom, promoted with Donny, relegated with Shrewsbury in the same year


COYR

That doesn’t make sense.

[steve@dcfd]

This from Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury Town are delighted to announce the signing of experienced defender Tom Anderson on a two-year deal.

The commanding centre-back put pen to paper on a contract with the club earlier today and will officially become a Salop player on July 1, subject to EFL approval.

Tom arrives in Shropshire following an outstanding season with Doncaster Rovers, where he played an integral role in their League Two title-winning campaign.

The 31-year-old is our first signing of the summer as director of football Micky Moore and head coach Michael Appleton work to revamp our squad.

Tom said: “It's great to be here - the last few days have been really smooth.

"I first heard about the contract on Monday. We did a bit of negotiating, but I was delighted to get it over the line and done quickly.

"I had a great time at Doncaster, but everything comes to an end."I spoke to Michael (Appleton) and Micky (Moore) and their ambitions for the season match mine."They have both told me to come in and be the player I am.

"It was refreshing to hear their ambitions. That’s what you want when you get a new challenge.

"When you are working as a team, you want to all be on the same page and that is what we are."

On his style of play, Tom added: "I will give 100 per cent commitment, I will put my body on the line and be a really good defender.

"But I am also very capable of playing good football. I back myself to be one the best players on the pitch each week."

Director of football Micky Moore said: “First of all, I’d like to welcome Tom to the Croud Meadow.

“He’s a player we’ve identified as possessing the qualities and character that we feel have been lacking in the squad.

“He has a strong presence both on and off the pitch, he is a leader, and he arrives having played a key role in Doncaster’s title-winning campaign.

“Tom brings a wealth of experience, I think his arrival is a real coup for the football club.”

[Jonathan]

He’s been brilliant for us over a long period of time and has kept coming back after being written off. Leaves with his head held high after a series of brilliant displays at the end of the season.

I’d have been happy if he’d stayed and continued to compete for a place. However I'm surprised at the length of contract we offered him at his age and equally surprised he has rejected it. Leaves with our best wishes and I’ll keep an eye out for how he does.

[GazLaz]

He’s been brilliant for us over a long period of time and has kept coming back after being written off. Leaves with his head held high after a series of brilliant displays at the end of the season.

I’d have been happy if he’d stayed and continued to compete for a place. However I'm surprised at the length of contract we offered him at his age and equally surprised he has rejected it. Leaves with our best wishes and I’ll keep an eye out for how he does.

Without knowing the financials, offering 2 years with a years option feels madness. He’s been regressing for a while now and just played well in the last period of his contract as players do when they need a new deal! I have every respect for him but this is a blessing in disguise.

[Jonathan]

He’s been brilliant for us over a long period of time and has kept coming back after being written off. Leaves with his head held high after a series of brilliant displays at the end of the season.

I’d have been happy if he’d stayed and continued to compete for a place. However I'm surprised at the length of contract we offered him at his age and equally surprised he has rejected it. Leaves with our best wishes and I’ll keep an eye out for how he does.

Without knowing the financials, offering 2 years with a years option feels madness. He’s been regressing for a while now and just played well in the last period of his contract as players do when they need a new deal! I have every respect for him but this is a blessing in disguise.

I have to agree on the whole, although I think his end of season performances were driven more by his character than seeking a new deal. Contract offer seemed Jon Taylor-esque. That’s no disrespect at all to big Tom, just not often you see a 31 year old with a known injury problem get offered a deal of that length. I had anticipated a one year extension. Shows what I know!

[GazLaz]

He’s been brilliant for us over a long period of time and has kept coming back after being written off. Leaves with his head held high after a series of brilliant displays at the end of the season.

I’d have been happy if he’d stayed and continued to compete for a place. However I'm surprised at the length of contract we offered him at his age and equally surprised he has rejected it. Leaves with our best wishes and I’ll keep an eye out for how he does.

Without knowing the financials, offering 2 years with a years option feels madness. He’s been regressing for a while now and just played well in the last period of his contract as players do when they need a new deal! I have every respect for him but this is a blessing in disguise.

I have to agree on the whole, although I think his end of season performances were driven more by his character than seeking a new deal. Contract offer seemed Jon Taylor-esque. That’s no disrespect at all to big Tom, just not often you see a 31 year old with a known injury problem get offered a deal of that length. I had anticipated a one year extension. Shows what I know!

Club been woeful with contract renewals over recent years. Likely another poor decision dodged. Close and Westbrook last year case in point. No evidence to say we have improved decision making in that area.

Improved performance due to contracts is a subconscious thing I think as opposed to strategy. Biggins for example. Tom has run his course as a DRFC player. Finding a better replacement really will be pretty easy. We are now recruiting/ building a squad for the top end of L1. Anderson isn’t that level.

[Alan Southstand]

I’d hardly call it a blessing in disguise, when we consider the timing of Tom leaving within days of losing our 2 other centre backs that are loaded with experience and have a great understanding of what’s required. Yes, maybe from the point of view of length of contract offered to a 31 year old, but then that period also reflects how much Grant wanted him here!

It does present an issue that I’m not sure Grant was ready for. A complete rebuild of the central defence and all that goes with it. I’m sure the Club have options, but can we afford them, when you consider what is required elsewhere! Hopefully, all targets are achieved, but this may well have thrown a bit of a spanner in the works!

[roversdude]

Depends if we offered him a starting wage or a squad player wage, maybe Grant didn’t see him as a starter - agree with Gaz on this ones potential 3 year deal was a bit risky
Best of luck Tom

[SydneyRover]

Good luck Tom, all the best for the future and thanks for being a big part of our promotion.

[rover-n-out]

My grateful thanks to you Tom for everything you gave to the Rovers every time you stepped across that white line.
A true defender in every sense of the word, and you always gave us 100% commitment. Good luck with the Shrews and hope to welcome you back to the Keepmoat one day.

[mushRTID]

I’m gutted about this. I do feel it’s best all round from a footballing perspective. But what a bloke and what a servant.

He’s been absolutely brilliant for us and I wish him nothing but the best.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

There just comes a time for a change. 7 years service through thick and thin, grinding away, same training ground, same stadium, same journey etc etc. He finally achieved something with us which justified his unwavering commitment, so what better time to move on and try somewhere different with a fresh challenge.

It's up to McCann to find the next Tom Anderson with potential to serve the club for the next 7 years.

[Chris Black come back]

He’s the epitome of the classic English centre back. Head it, kick it / them, fully committed. Coming towards the back end of his career but he’s never once been lacking in effort, bravery and commitment. Glad he has the medal of a champion.

His departure seems odd. We offered him a deal, of surprising length if truth be told. Then apparently was only contacted on Monday about a deal that was no longer in duration and by Friday he has left. Money perhaps, guaranteed start perhaps, seems an odd choice to go to League Two rather than League One for perhaps the final time in your career.

At least we know early doors what we need to recruit for now. McGrath lost both his main partners from last season.   

[Nudga]

Could be he was going to be playing 2nd fiddle to a new cb pairing and the pay scale may have reflected that?
There's also many clauses in contracts nowadays and they maybe played a part?

The other thing could be that Tom achieved his dream of winning a title with us and getting us out of this god awful league so now wanted/needed a new challenge. 

People may see three cb leaving and two rejecting conteact offers as a negative and that Rovers don't have money or lack of ambition.
I don't,  I see this as a chance for Grant to freshen the squad up with lg1 quality with a genuine chance to push on for "Destination Championship".

Interesting and exciting times.

[Alan Southstand]

CBCB:

Money perhaps, guaranteed start perhaps, seems an odd choice to go to League Two rather than League One for perhaps the final time in your career.

You forgot the third option - geography!

Personally, I think it’s possibly a combination of financial and travelling that led him to his decision. Good luck to him, he’s been one hell of a servant. The problem now is finding someone with experience and a leader that’s both affordable and slightly younger!

[Nudga]

Does Tom still live around Burnley? If so, it can't be anything to do with making travelling easier

[keyser_soze]

I remember when Wellens left the second time round (also to Shrewsbury funnily enough wasn’t it) he said at the time he was moving for geography reasons, but later admitted when he came back as manager he knew his time was up at that level. Maybe Tom knows L2 is his level and he will perhaps get found out. Or perhaps Grant told him as much and he would be a squad player.

Does seem like he had a part to play though, particularly with Olowu and Wood moving on.

[selby]

  It was money in both cases, and we have lost two of the best in the division we played in and no transfer fee in the case of Olowu who would have commanded a decent fee.
  We are left with trying to get better probably for less in a higher league and could well want three two right sided and a good left sided with McGrath as back up if we want to make a splash at that level.
  We have been found wanting once more and lost out again with clubs and agents outsmarting us. Penny wise and pound foolish.
 
 

[Chris Black come back]

Not ideal but Barrow will be thinking the same. There is a hierarchy and we need to be better at finding those below us, than worrying about players leaving to go elsewhere.

[silent majority]

I have a framed, signed, Tom Anderson shirt sat in the garage if anybody’s interested!

[BobG]

Selby. I am not trying to be argumentative, or rude, or unhelpful. For all I know your post number 56 may be nothing but the absolute truth. But your presentation of information as incontrovertible and absolute, without evidence, without even a suggestion of access to a secret source, leads me at least to think back, again, to Hitchens Razor.

A statement made without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

BobG