Stoke City: Leaving Potters was tough for popular midfielder Liam Lawrence
LIAM Lawrence admits he signed for Portsmouth at the last possible moment because he was so reluctant to sever his four-year association with Stoke City, writes Martin Spinks.
The 28-year-old signed by fax from his Republic of Ireland training camp in Dublin on deadline day as part of a deal which also saw Dave Kitson move to Pompey and Marc Wilson come the other way.
"I did have to think about it," he confessed, "and it took me to the last few minutes of the transfer window for me to do it.
"Stoke has been the best four years of my career.
"I came down here from Sunderland and listened to the manager talk about what he wanted to do with the club, and to be fair it's turned out how he wanted it to.
"It's been an absolute thrill and privilege for me to have helped the club push on to being a top-10 club for the next 10 years at least.
"I wish I could have played a bit more over the last year, it's just a shame these things don't always work out."
But Lawrence, Stoke's player-of-the-year in their promotion season of 2007/08, insisted there had been no rift with Tony Pulis.
"Me and the gaffer never had a bad word and I've certainly still got a lot of respect.
"In fact he's just sent me a text to say how much he thinks of me and I am thankful for that. I never left on bad terms with anybody."
He said his personal highlights were the winning goal at Coventry shortly before promotion and the penalty against Aston Villa during the Britannia Stadium's Premier League debut two years ago.
"That goal against Coventry came in the one game that pushed us on and made the fans believe we were going up. The Villa goal was the first ever in the Premier at the Brit and so will go down in history.
"I'm glad to have left on good terms with the fans because they are among the best around and deserve their success," added Lawrence.
"I just hope I can come back one day and say a proper goodbye to them."
Lawrence, who was speaking from Ireland's team hotel in Armenia, hopes to have shaken off a recent groin injury in time to play in tonight's European Championship qualifier.
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by Mick, Luton
Sunday, September 05 2010, 12:01PM
“Good Luck Liam. Arsene Wenger just worry about your own team and leave Stoke City alone.”
by Tom, Folkestone
Friday, September 03 2010, 11:07PM
“Thank you Liam. You will be missed. The winner at Hull in our 1st year in the premiership is may favourite LL goal. Great finish and it allowed us to ease away from a relegation battle. The picture on the front of the "We Are Premier League" book is how I will always remember a great Stoke winger. Good luck at Pompey and with Ireland.”
by Darren Sutton, o
Friday, September 03 2010, 10:06PM
“good luck liam.you gave us so great moments.the cov game certainly was a turning point.but the goal at the brit in the dour game v ipswich was probably your best.He got his injuries just as he was reaching his best.and i think they took their toll as the pace of the prem caught up with him.portsmouth have picked up a little gem at championship level.”
by Janet, market Drayton
Friday, September 03 2010, 8:35PM
“Sad to see Liam move on, but things change and the team has to progress. I'd like to than Liam for his time and effort at Stoke and wish him well with the new challenge he faces at Portsmouth. He's been a good servant for Stoke and I've no doubt he's always receive a warm welcome if her returns in the future - lets face it, we watch the Republic play now just to see how he's doing! Thanks Liam, now grasp the new challenge and give it all you've got!”
by Janet, Market Drayton
Friday, September 03 2010, 8:34PM
“Sad to see Liam move on, but things change and the team has to progress. I'd like to than Liam for his time and effort at Stoke and wish him well with the new challenge he faces at Portsmouth. He's been a good servant for Stoke and I've no doubt he's always receive a warm welcome if her returns in the future - lets face it, we watch the Republic play now just to see how he's doing! Thanks Liam, now grasp the new challenge and give it all you've got!”