Rumours...

Besides being one of the all-time great albums by Fleetwood Mac, rumours are what we get every year, at the time when player contracts are coming to an end and moves are being suggested. 

I find a lot of such rumours laughable. There will always be someone who likes to make out that they know something, the bloke (usually) who 'has it on good authority' (with voice dropping...)

I don't deal in rumours on here. There are numerous occasions when I have heard that a player is set to join, but I don't say anything, unless I see it already in the public domain. The club do the work, often a lot of work and they deserve the right to announce the deal, or the signing, when they choose to do so. Of course, if it is 'out there' it is fair game.

A lot of rumours start with the agents of players and they generally tell people who they know cannot keep quiet. Thus the story spreads and before you know it the media and pubs are full of stories. It happens in all sports, as the best deals possible are understandably sought for their client.

I might at times suggest that player A would be a good signing for Derbyshire, but that should not be interpreted that I have inside knowledge. The 'Martin Andersson to Derbyshire' story was around for a few weeks and I could vouch for the veracity of it from people that I trust. But it was not for me to break it, because I didn't think it would be fair. I am not a gossip columnist (thankfully) and prefer to deal in facts. For that matter, I didn't know if there were options elsewhere that were potentially better. 

I have been unable to verify the 'Luke Procter to Derbyshire' story. That doesn't mean it won't happen, just that people whose knowledge I trust haven't confirmed it. The player's contract is up, he is 36 and presumably looking for another (somewhere) and we would be a good fit. A top order bat who averages top 30s and genuine all rounder who took 2-25 yesterday in ten overs, he will not lack suitors IF he leaves. He averages 56 this season with the bat and has 19 wickets at 28 with the ball, hardly indicative of powers on the wane. 

Anyone who suggests such statistics would not improve Derbyshire is having a laugh. So too, those who say he is too old. Eddie Barlow was 36 when he came to Derbyshire, Darren Stevens probably had his best years for Kent after that age. If you have looked after yourself, you likely have a few good years in store before you are seeking careers advice.

It might be that the signing of Martin Andersson knocks the possibility (IF there was one) on the head. But I could see the logic in a move for a proven 4 day and 50-over player IF the budget is in place. No one outside of the club knows that.

One that I can rule out is the frequently aired in comments 'Harry Moore is going to Nottinghamshire'. The ECB has processes whereby academy players at counties cannot be approached and poached by other clubs. Harry signed a 'rookie deal' that takes him to the end of 2025 only two months ago. Given his performances in the one-day cup, I suspect that the club will make an appropriate offer to him when the time is right.

Again though, we don't know what his plans are. He may decide on further education, which renders him part-time for several years. But he will be well aware, as will his parents, that his early career is best-served at Derbyshire. They have looked after him, coached him well, given support and opportunity.  Where would he be in the pecking order if he moved to Nottinghamshire? A much larger staff, plenty of seam options ahead of him and progress blocked. Playing regular senior cricket at his age is far better for him, but let's not forget he still has a year of schooling to finish!

Compare with someone like Toby Pettman, for me a bowler of some talent. He is 26 and barely gets a sniff down the road, nine years Moore's senior. Shouldn't he be looking elsewhere, at a similar age to Mark Footitt when he left Trent Bridge? 

At some point in the future, like any young player of talent, suitors will come knocking for Moore's services, offering untold riches and opportunities. Perhaps at that point, like Slater, Critchley, Qadri, Parkinson, Blackwell and many more before him, he will have a decision to make.

But not yet and not for a good while, in my humble opinion. Besides which, as many before him will verify, the grass isn't always greener over yonder fence. I could reel off a good few names who left for greater opportunity and/or more money, only to find that it never quite worked out that way.

Postscript: around a decade ago, I sat in the stand at Derby and listened to a conversation behind me. I know, it was rude, but it was loud enough to suggest an audience would be appreciated. The gist was 'he's leaving, it will be announced by the end of the week 'they' told me'.

Wayne Madsen never did leave, did he..?