Biggest Fib Of 2005 going to Rodwell?

Living in Cuckoo land?

"We offered the same money as Lincoln but the lad chose to come to us" Stated Rodwell as the county listened in on local radio. "He felt the time was right and he signed for footballing reasons".

The comments may be heartfelt from Rodwell but the harsh reality may be something Boston fans could have to face in the coming weeks. They overspent and overstated last summer, but by the time 2005 was on their doorsteps they were preparing to balance the books by selling off the crown jewels. Boston haven't really ever been a club that boasts serious play off aspirations and Futcher must surely know this.

A cynical onlooker might point to the signing and sale of Andy Kirk as clever financial management rather than a footballing decision. By signing a player above their stations on short term contracts that player can enhance his reputation with a couple of good performances and increase his value. His manager talks him up in the press, the nation sit up and take note and poor old Boston are forced to part with their prize asset for a hefty sum. Sound familiar? Now look at the players they've targeted this season Ben Futcher who wanted a move up the league and has probably failed to get it due to lacklustre performances in the final third of the season. Taylor Fletcher, ditto. Lee Canoville is another youngster who may have been tempted by good wages and the promise his career won't be restricted should the big clubs come knocking. Perhaps this is just a cynics view.

However theres no doubt that something else has to be behind the move. A sensible player from a footballing family would not make such a strange move simply for football reasons. Three play off finals in a row in our wake Lincoln is still a vibrant and well supported club with promotion aspirations. Boston however ended the season badly needing ten or eleven players to make something partially resembling a decent side. Add to this the hard fact they play to about half the amount of people City do and it becomes clear the lure is not the chance of success.

There is speculation that Ben Futcher has switched for the same reasons that Simon Yeo offered the fans. Poor treatment by the board is the headline of the day and if Yeo is to be believed then Futcher may have felt wronged at the end of last seasons campaign as well. There have also been hollow rumours of a personality clash between Futcher and another current member

Ladies and Gentleman I give you the new and improved: Ben Futcher (aka Jamie McCombe)

of the Imps squad after a public bust up away at Scunthorpe and talk of a second following the defeat at Notts County.

Either way Futcher is gone and Boston are sounding the victory bell over their county rivals. However with Futcher gone it is simply a chance for Beevers to take his place in the first team alongside Irish international Gareth McAuley and the giant Ben Futcher-esque Jamie McCombe or future Northern Ireland captain Paul Morgan. Doesn't seem such a loss now does it?