Hargreaves to be a Brewer?

Interesting.

I think its fairly clear that he has really enjoyed his time down here and not only that but he clearly (from reading his blog) has also enjoyed living in the area as well.

He may well still have a house in the Midlands, but his "family" are originally from the Cleethorpes area where both his parents and his in laws still reside.

The only scenario I could imagine where he might consider a move to you would be if you were to offer him a longer deal? I suspect (only guessing mind) that we may only be prepared to offer him a 1 year deal and if someone was to come in and offer him 2 years then he would obvously have to consider it. That said he has just turned 37 years of age and clearly any club offering him a 2 year deal, particularly at League 2 level (given that he has spent the last 3 years in the Conference), would I think be taking something of a gamble.

However, in fairness I would also suggest that given the number of games he played last year - more than anyone else in the squad - and the fact that he actually seemed to get better towards the end of a very long hard season, would seem to suggest that he is as fit as a fiddle and has gone on record as saying that he reckons he can play for another 2 or 3 years.

It would be a great shame for us to see him move on, and why would your lot need him anyway .... you've already got 2 of the best midfielders around (certainly at BSP level) in McGrath and Simpson!

I sincerely hope you are wrong and that he stays with us ... but I would certainly wish him well wherever he goes. He has undoubtedly given us great service over the last 2 years and his goal at Wembley will never be forgotten!

Don't take this the wrong way Porkybrewer, but if I were you I would be worried; very worried.

You see, I have this thing about appointing only the best qualified and the most familiar with the level of football you are going to be playing in and (granted) although there are exceptions, I just feel that a club's entry in the Football League for the very first time in it's history is NOT the time to be straying from that path.

What is there in your manager's CV that indicates any sort of familiarity with League 2 football, it's players, tactics or managers? What are his contacts with which to bring in the sizeable number of players you so obviously require given the advanced age and out of contract status of so many of your excellent squad from last season?

I genuinely wish you all well for next season as your club appears to be a "proper club" fully deserving of your newly acquired status. I admire the way your Chairman showed loyalty, backing and eschewed the impatience and short sightedness so many others hold towards managers when instant success is not forthcoming, when foundations and methodical building of the infrastructure of the club is painstakingly undertaken and when the severe disappointment of going so close in the Play Offs, yet so far from achievement and the impatience of the fans with the subsequent "faltering start" to the following season whilst "tweaking" is carried out under realistic and competitive conditions grows louder.

Yes, I could be talking about our own Paul Buckle here as well as your own Nigel Clough ~ it's significant that the two ultimately successful clubs in the BSP followed almost parallel paths, diverged and then almost collided again as the season progressed.

IF you were to sign Chris Hargreaves you would be getting an iconic player and dressing room/training ground character and it is for that very reason that I would be very surprised if OUR club were to allow him to walk away without a hell of a fight to keep him. As you have read elsewhere on this thread he and his wife hail from Cleethorpes and for that reason I would be not surprised to see him accept an offer that allowed them to return to their roots. Whether or not Burton is too far to drive I'll leave it to you to surmise, but Grimsby Town is just around the corner and Lincoln City just down the road form Cleethorpes. The Hargreaves currently rent Chris Todd's property in Exeter I believe and as this is surely NOT the time to be selling property I guess the Welsh Dragon and good mate of Greavsie would be more than content to continue that arrangement. Whether or indeed where on the varied road of his career Greavsie actually owns a property could be another factor in the decision making, as of course does his kids' schooling, wife's opinions and a hundred and one other factors most fans never seem to be able to get their heads around when drawing up "wish lists". However, you've managed to keep the excellent John McGrath who first caught my eye as a young loanee from Aston Villa during his time at Dagenham a few years ago and I would happily see OUR club take him off your hands any day, that's for sure; but I guess for now your new manager will be scouring the lengthy lists of released young prospects from amongst the so called "greater and bigger" clubs than the ones you or I support ~ it CAN work, but it doesn't very often is all I would say to you at this stage of the close season

I think many of us had noted the sensible long-term way that Burton Albion has gone about its business, and that is why your club is so well regarded and respected.

Our club is working to build a similar long-term infrastructure, but we are a few years behind you in that.

Peschisolido was a surprising appointment but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

When you look at clubs that "overachieve" it is often through young hungry up-and-coming managers. We will watch your progress with interest.