It applies in ALL cases. The deal will have been agreed in principle through his agent and FC. If Rovers agree to the deal being signed pre Sep 1st then it will be announced, if not, it won't. Exactly the same thing happened with Calderwood when we signed him from Wigan.

Cas have obviously let Arundel sign his deal with us already, hence the announcement.

Hudge openly admitted that we wasn't going to retain SM we had got our heads round it and accepted it till Easty and slammer put they're two pennies worth in, ok he's signed for fc I wudnt have thought that hudgell wud be bothered why do you we've let a promising young prop sign for u is he bothered about that hudgell always has sum thing up his sleeve

Disappointed to have missed The Girl's Name Hokey Cokey today. It seems clear there are 2 scenarios:
1 Rovers have signed him up but want to fabricate a timely derby week announcement boost by pretending FC are desperate to sign him. Announcement to include commentary such as "I was offered more elsewhere but it was an easy decision to make, lads here are great, Sandy's great, fans are great etc"
Or
2) He's signed for FC but the proposed scenario on the other board of a 5000 strong East Stand turning their back on him might look poor on the telly on Friday so it's being denied.

We're all in no man's land here. He's a good FB. Select your Philb "we've better iron in the fire" or Mrs B "Zero to Exiles in half a season" weapon as you see fit and rumours contradict each other.

But there's a difference between him announcing that he won't be there next year because he rejected a new deal and him allowing Shannon to sign for someone else before sept. 1st.

The Watts situation is completely different.

To be fair tho mrs b he was third choice for the exiles there was no one else I hope the fans in the east stand get behind him on Friday night

I fully expect those rovers fans that have classed him a second rate, ageing aussie journeyman who isn't that good really to maintain their recently formed opinions in the interests of balance.

I think shan would make a better winger than a fullback, having watched rovers since 1968 we have had some good fullbacks, fletch, bob smithies and the best ever...george fairbairn. In my opinion for what its worth shan is no more than above average, better in attack than defence and his positional sense...well shall we say leaves a bit to be desired. Fair do,s to him if he has got a better deal at dull, but until it is confirmed or whatever , he is still a rovers player and will get my support till the end of the season...Then i,ll hate him

And this time it may well be his resignation from the board.

I think you'll find I didn't specify a number, or proportion of fans that held the view I somewhat cheekily highlighted.

I liked his cheeky post and if McDonnell does go and play for the horrible team on The Wrong Side Of The Chocolate River's Tributary, I shall make it my life's work to continually state that he is an ageing Australian journey man whose always been mainly rubbish.