The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Andrew Tidswell has been given until this weekend to decide on his Spalding United future.
The striker, who is on contract at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, has been placed on gardening leave by boss Pat Rayment after an honest discussion between the pair last Tuesday night.
Tidswell is understood to be considering all options available to him – including walking away from football altogether.
Spalding’s South Holland rivalsHolbeach United are long-term admirers of the two-time UCL golden boot winner and would likely move for him should he leave the Tulips, but Rayment wants his star striker to stay – providing his head is right.
“Of course I want Andrew to stay with us,” said Rayment. “But I want him to want to stay.
“Andrew is on a very good contract here at Spalding and is playing for a team that is going for promotion. We create a lot of chances for him too.
“I don’t really know what else we can do for him. He’s not enjoying his football at the moment and we’ve had words.
“For the good of the club, it can’t go on too long. I’d like a decision from him by the weekend.”
Tidswell was Spalding’s top scorer as they won the UCL Premier Division at a canter last season, despite only playing once after Christmas. He has notched up double figures this season already.
Before joining the Tulips, he was Holbeach’s leading marksman for two successive seasons and was part of the team that won the UCL Premier Division title and two Lincs Cups.
Co-Tigers chief Graham Drury has refused to comment on his interest in the hitman, saying there has been “no movement” on any possible transfer this week.
- Spalding striker Mark Jones has agreed a pre-contract deal to join Boston United at the end of his contract. Jones, who has spent most of this season on loan with the Pilgrims, scored a hat-trick at the weekend.
