Byron Moore 'Vanishes'... For Good Hopefully

Dario says that he has had no word on Byron Moore's future as the wait for a decision on a two year contract extension goes on.

The 22 year old's contract officially ends this coming Thursday but there's no rushing Moore. He's had a contract offer on the table since November but with his agent, former Stokie Clive Clarke, filling his head with the idea he is better than League Two, Moore has decided to weigh up his options - and then some.

The wait for the Alex however is an important one. Unable to withdraw that contract offer without sacrificing compensation for Moore, our whole summer is currently resting on Moore's decision. His departure would free up funds to find replacements for both him and Donaldson whilst if he stays put it's one less replacement to be found.

It's a far from ideal situation for us, very few managers want to be in a situation of not knowing the make up of their squad as the players return for pre-season training in the coming days. Dario though suggests it's out of his hands, saying Moore has vanished:

Dario told crewealex.net: 'We are still waiting on news from Byron. He seems to have vanished but he will have to come to a decision soon.

'The ball is in Byron's court and we will still work on it.'

In essence Byron seems to have more power in this situation than the club and as it is he is stalling an entire club's season planning. It's behaviour that doesn't really wash well.

To sit on a contract offer for over six months in the knowledge that it cannot be withdrawn too easily is, some would say, a wise thing to do as a professional only looking out for the best paid job for the best lifestyle available.From a player who the club have invested in for over half his life however you'd expect slightly more respect.

Perhaps it's naive of us to expect the academy players to not jump on the football rollercoaster as soon as they get in the first team but when you think of the many, many players to sign new deals, ensuring the club would not go without come their 'big move', you come to expect it from them all.

Moore was offered a new deal the same time as Tootle, Westwood and Miller all pledged their futures to the club but only Moore has felt he could do better than the Alex - kind of ironic the other three lads have all been linked, with foundation or not, with moves to the Championship this summer.

Moore meanwhile has been linked with Notts County and even that doesn't look too likely with Dario suggesting any deal Moore did once have lined up may have fallen through.

For me it's now gone full circle, I was disappointed to hear Moore wouldn't be jumping at the chance to extend his deal like his team mates but six months down the like I am pretty disappointed he could now remain at Gresty Road.

Do we really want a player who we are likely to keep only for his transfer fee? Byron certainly doesn't seem to want to be here.

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