Portsmouth fans have been left stunned over the weekend as details emerge over a controversial decision announced by the club.
The Hampshire outfit had a 12-month option to extend Craig MacGillivray’s contract but they still decided against that, ending the goalkeeper’s stay at Fratton Park.
The 28 year old, who was named as Pompey’s Player of the Year, was out of contract in the summer and it had been reported that the League One club were in talks with MacGillivray over a new deal.
One report already claims the newly promoted Peterborough United have they eyes on potentially signing him in the summer window.
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However, it’s now been stated that the keeper will be leaving, with journalist Andrew Moon revealing that Portsmouth declined to take up a one-year option, and it’s left a bitter taste with the supporters.
You could think that MacGillivray may have moved on if a new deal couldn’t be agreed between the two parties, or if he had a bigger offer waiting from another club and wanted to jump at the chance.
But, with that not the case, and the decision was seemingly entirely down to new permanent boss Danny Cowley, it’s certainly proved to be a talking point.
Portsmouth ended up moving out of the playoff places on the final day of the season, with Oxford United replacing them, the U’s won 4-0 whilst Pompey lost 1-0 against Accrington.
Cowley’s side picked up a total of 72 points from 46 games played, meaning that the club will endure a fifth season in the third tier of English football.
As mentioned, Portsmouth fans were stunned as details emerge over the club decision to axe Craig MacGillivray, whilst others had something else to say on the matter…
— TedPFC (@teddynettle1) May 16, 2021
https://t.co/cOHVxsqkZd pic.twitter.com/ZInn7pTevE
— Henry Woolf (@Woolfie_01) May 16, 2021
https://t.co/wJeUFvHxzr pic.twitter.com/6dkIkc5I4W
— Alex🐮🇮🇴 (@alex_nunn7) May 16, 2021
Feel like pure shit just want Craig MacGillivray to stay pic.twitter.com/aUUe59F2ml
— Barney (@barneyhw11) May 16, 2021
@adachops: Absolutely ridiculous decision, can’t see any logical reason why you wouldn’t want to keep him. Not a good sign at all. Questions to be answered already
@jmx1988: Goes to show we’re trying to cut costs then, they’ll give Bass the No1 shirt and save a few £ ! Also if that’s the case why not keep one of the other kids as a back up?
@WooStewd: @macgillivray93 Respect to you for respecting your own value. I can only imagine how much your body is going to hurt in 30 years time from throwing yourself on the floor every day. You’re worth every penny.
@BluesNews_: Craig MacGillivray set to leave #Pompey 😩 He wants to stay… just give the man what he wants ffs.
@Real_Dan_Horton: Bizarre. Good keepers at this level are very hard to come by. They must have someone in mind
@HarryGardner26: stupid in most scenarios, for exp if they want to start bass because hes the future, then CMac is an amazing backup. or do they think they could get a better first choice, would be hard and if they didnt perform quickly could be a disaster as pressure grows because we had CMac
@Niall_Judge26: That’s a huge call and on paper certainly looks the wrong one, they best not be planning for Bass to be number 1
@bernardpfc: Gonna be difficult to replace him with better quality
@TheChief657: Strange one. Always thought he was one of the better keepers in the league and you need a reliable one for a promotion charge
@Shovell96: Don’t understand why
@GaryDTrotman: Perhaps the cowleys are looking for someone more comfortable with the ball at his feet, especially if they are looking to play from the back. In my opinion he always seems a bit nervous when the ball is at his feet and an attacker is closing him down. Great shot stopper though
@mr_michael77: If they had an option then surely they should activate said option and then sell him to generate funds rather than let him go on a free. That way they are in control and either get to make money or keep someone who has been a consistent performer?? #pompey
@MrBarnardPE: Classic Pompey
@pfc_harry: Shit club
@JHancock46: Oh that’s mental
@blakepfc: Excuse me
@LiamTinson22: Fuck off 😫😫😫 nice one whole of Pompey is crying
@SidneyWise10: The Cowleys must have someone lined up surely?
@cameronbeeney: Just let our best player go again another season.. Fuck sake
@whopetravels: Fair play to MacGillivray he’s was fans player of the season, he great few years go and rangers came crawling looking at him boy plus been main stay in the 11 and kept lot of clean sheets he’s done well deserves the pay raise if that issue
@Mark_Monks99: That’s unfortunate he was a great keeper one of the few players that showed passion in that team
@cardman81: Madness!
@Lisawoody30: Awful decision I think….. 🤦♀️
@WrightingWayne: Don’t understand the reaction to this news tbh . He’s no better / worse than prob 75% goalies at this level – who knows ? They may have someone, in their opinion better, lined up !!? Why not wait & see……..
@BileysMullet: Its probably a shock to many as he was best player this season. As you say though its no huge disaster.
@Clarkeyboy12345: At the end of the day he was player of the season with one of the worst group of players I’ve seen since before cook its no massive achievement
@Jake_PFC: Wow.
@SamKnight9: Hes just won player of the season 😂 ludicrous
@pfczak: Strange
@pfcchaz: This fucking club man
@Fuengi: Mistake.
@GavH_: Easily replaceable at this level, Cowleys must have someone else in mind after letting 2 other gks leave , roll on 1st June when we can actually bring players in then we can judge the standard of quality we’re allowed to sign
@JoeBriant: This is actually disgusting
@KeithWaddingto2: The fact we had a goalkeeper as player of the season in the first place shows how poor the rest were. Shame to see him go though.
@mattbennett_11: Very poor decision. Think we’ll regret it.
@POMPEYBENNY: He’s good but he’s not great and certainly doesn’t fit how the Cowley’s want to play as Craig’s distribution isn’t great… it’s a big call. It at least we have people making brave decisions rather than just endlessly repeating year in year out…
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