Clair Chews It
After offloading 22 year-old New Zealander goalkeeper
Clair Harlow, Grilled now have a fortnight to scout out a suitable replacement as they prepare for yet another S-League adventure. Polish Division Six league winners F.C Czestochowa signed the Grilled No. 20 for S$6 120 000, a large chunk of the upwards of S$10 million they received for their midfielders Martin Olenlius and August Sangha earlier in the day.
The trade as a whole went down well with Grilled fans, who felt that Harlow was a good prospect but not really of first-team standard. "Herron's got Abd Rauf Mohd Nadzir, Winning Eleven had Tom Pinchetti, HaTT has Eric Alley, and the list goes on." six-year fan Teo Kian Teng said. "Clair can't be put on the same level as any of them. Grilled's most glaring weakness is in goal now, and a top-rate keeper will make us a team to be feared."
A few dissenters like stationery businessman Fong Low Sien pointed out that Harlow had been one of Grilled's more consistent performers over the past months, but in the end conceded that a change was probably necessary. "We let in a few goals that a more seasoned custodian might have cut out at the source," Fong agreed. "I'd like Clair to stay as a reserve and soak up experience for a few seasons, but I guess the club needed the funds quite badly."
Danish Division Six side The Bootroom Boys were the only other side strongly connected with Harlow, who was a little let down by Grilled's decision to sell him. "Ah well, it's been a good four seasons with Grilled, and the three seasons in the S-League were very well-spent. I'll be concentrating on shutting out opponents for Czestochowa now." he said.
33 year-old original team striker
Chen Chiew-Yen went for S$4000 to Spanish Division Ten club C.D.Halcones an hour later, as Grilled helped him fulfil his long held wish to go overseas. "I think I have two good seasons left, and I've always wanted to play in Europe before I settle down and start a family." Chiew-Yen revealed. "It's been a good ride with the Birds for all these years, I'll sure miss Singapore."
