Listed Scullion seeks cross-channel switch

Local

Transfer listed winger David Scullion will decide on his future next week, but doesn't rule out staying with Dungannon Swifts

Saturday, June 09, 2007

By Kevin Hughes Jnr

David Scullion will make a decision on his future next week after being placed on the transfer list by Dungannon Swifts.

Stangmore Park boss Harry Fay made the surprise decision to offer up his most prized asset to all comers after meeting with Scullion at the start of the week.

Allegations of tapping and back door approaches brought the issue to a head and interested parties are now invited to make official approaches to Dungannon for the player.

And Scullion, who joined the Swifts three years ago, admits that the decision over whether to move on or not is not an easy one to make and it is not a case of which club to go to.

"I spoke with Harry Fay and told him that I am in two minds about my future and he has given me the opportunity to talk to other clubs," said Scullion.

"I haven't decided to leave yet."

Fay is angry that illegal approaches for Scullion unsettled the player at a key time towards the end of the season when the Swifts were preparing for an Irish Cup final meeting with Linfield.

" My form dipped towards the end of the season, but it wasn't anything to do with me being linked with other clubs," said Scullion.

"I felt that, as a team, our form slipped - although I know that both are temporary issues."

There has been a lot of interest and Scullion has spoken with a couple of local sides, but having been with Aston Villa as a youngster the ex-Northern Ireland under-21 international would love a crack across the water again if the right offer came along.

"I am 23 now and any older would be too old to go to England or Scotland," he said.

" Full-time football would certainly appeal to me, but not in Northern Ireland.

"I have just completed a degree in quantity surveying and would get a job in that line of work if I stay at home."

Linked with several English and Scottish sides at the tail end of the season, firm offers have yet to materialise, but the Lurgan man is still hopeful.

"So far I have had no approaches from the mainland, but I will hold off making a commitment for a few days yet," he said.

"Locally, I am interested in winning trophies to mark my career and while that would seem to limit my choice to two clubs, I have to factor Dungannon Swifts into the equation as well.

"The team is good and with the signings that Harry has made Dungannon shouldn't be discounted for silverware next season.

"At the moment, if I were to leave Swifts, Glentoran would be my preferred choice as I feel that their style of play would complement mine.

"I have also a few friends there and the recent change of manager doesn't matter as I worked with Alan McDonald when I was with the under-21 side.

"I have a lot of deliberating to do over the next few days.

"Dungannon helped me breakthrough to the under-21 team, play on the league representative side and twice make the Football Writers team of the year - and, with the potential at the club, they can compete with the Big Two.

"All bundled up, I have quite a dilemma."