Whitehead isn't doing anything he doesn't 'owe 'us'
As far as we know, he hasn't said that he won't play, he is doing exactly what he owes us. While I would rather him be happy and want to become a top player with us, it's his perogative to look elsewhere, it's a free country, as long as he fulfils any commitments fully to us until such a time occurs.
Fielden's situation wasn't all that different, most presumed he still had good years ahead of him too, just didn't work out that way. He still decided he wanted to move on part way through a contract.
I just wondered why we have stopped him playing and some don't want him around the club altogether? Is there something more to it?

It's a beauty

TBH, undisclosed fees can work in our favour.

Say for example Whitehead went to Salford for the £125k that was reported in the press. That means that all the other clubs in SL know that the Bulls have £125k to spend if they wish, so should the Bulls come knocking regarding a player then it puts that club in the driving seat in so far as naming the price goes.

It's the best move for both parties to be honest. Elliott has done all he needs to do under his contract [though I do have a certain sympathy with Tigertot's POV, he's told his team mates and asked, properly, for a transfer which has been granted, so what he's done is completely above board.

Like everyone else on here I haven't a clue about any 'background' stuff so I have to assume that Franny had his reasons for leaving him out of the team; he's the gaffer and it's his decision to make.

It is, if you can't keep your best players happy (wherever the fault with that lies). Watching SL now is an increasingly bittersweet experience as most weeks you see a crop of our former players doing well for whoever is on the screen. Just at Cats now there'll be Whitehead, Leon, Menzies and Elima.




Well yes, if you disregard stating he wanted out of his contract, with years still left to run


That's true. What you don't know though is whether or not he had been tapped up. If for example "he was always going to go to Catalans" then that means he was tapped up.

Interestingly, Whitehead himself told the T&A



That bit at least seems simple; FC spoke with Whitehead and it's his job to decide if his head and his heart are in the right place to do a job, presumably he decided they weren't and it is hardly surprising, given he said he didn't want players who were committed to the cause (and Whitehead saying we weren't making progress etc was a direct swipe at FC and at many of the team).

SO I'm certain that FC made the right decision, but the question is, was Whitehead also right? The reason most managers end up getting sacked is because they lose the dressing room, not because they're useless. That's stating the obvious, as they almost all get a sequence of jobs at other clubs, often getting another gig straightaway.

To be honest FA I find it hard to think he's been 'tapped up' this season as he's probably being playing worse than for the last two years, that said I'd guess that stranger things have happened.
As for stating he wanted out of his contract [length is irrelevant, he and every player, has the right to ask the club to let him leave, as does any person on a contract. Speaking to your employer and coming to a mutually agreed settlement to the contract is what I would regard as being honest and following the rules. I agree with you that it does seem a bit 'off' wanting out so soon after signing a long contract, but I can't really see anything [legallywrong, though morally maybe there is something to say.