Darren Leaves, Purse Needs Change

The World's Worst Cardiff City secret has been confirmed today - that skipper Darren Purse will not be offered a new contract and is leaving the club.


Only 3 players were out of contract this summer but only Darren was released with other veterans Mark Kennedy and Riccy Scimeca accepting new 1 year deals. It remains to be seen whether City try to rid themselves of contracted players who don't look as if they can take us further and, of course, if (or when!?) they sell the Big Three of Johnson, Ledley and McCormack who are all attracting Premiership interest.


Back to Purse. Although he wanted to stay, the writing had been on the wall for some considerable time with him having public disagreements with boss Dave Jones, finding himself overlooked far too often and not even making the matchday 16.


At 33 later this year and having lost pace, few can really argue it is a sound football decision too for a player who was noted almost as much for red cards, own goals and mistakes and much as powerhouse performances. In four years since becoming a big spending signing - by Cardiff City standards - of £750k from West Brom, Purse had 123 outings and scored 10 times at the right end. He also got a couple at the wrong end!


This season, despite always being behind Gyepes and Johnson, he still managed 23 outings but got sent off twice, one of those later rescinded.


Darren is already in talks with several clubs, most believed to be Championship sides, with Sheffield Wednesday apparently in pole position to gain from his experience.


Whatever our views about Purse as a player these days, nobody can dispute he's one hell of a nice guy who showed a passion, commitment and love of this club and the fans that few do - and that includes several of his failing team-mates who didn't stand up and get counted when it mattered and who may well be staying with the side.


That started when he decided to sign for us over Southampton who, at the time, were a more appealing club. Darren needs regular first team football and that was never going to happen at City and although he has done well recently, he wasn't right for us and in need of a new challenge.

Thanks Darren and Good Luck to you and your family.