Sol Campbell does a runner!

[Montse]

EXCLUSIVE: Sol Campbell walks out on Notts County - after just one game!

By LEO SPALL

 

Sol Campbell has walked out on Notts County - after only one match. The former England defender has asked County to tear up his £10million, five-year contract having spent most of his time at the newly wealthy League Two club on the sidelines.

Campbell packed his boots and said his goodbyes after training on Tuesday as his gamble to drop out of the Barclays Premier League backfired spectacularly.

 

The former Tottenham and Arsenal star was unveiled only three weeks ago and the signing was intended to demonstrate the ambition of County director of football Sven Goran Eriksson.

Former England manager Eriksson had badgered Campbell to join County throughout the summer and last month the defender finally agreed to commit to the project, which is said to be backed by Middle Eastern millions.

But after leaving Portsmouth as a free agent when his contract expired at the end of last season, Campbell did little in the way of pre-season training and delayed his debut until last Saturday during a 2-1 defeat at Morecambe.

 

Campbell, 35, was hardly the star turn and he was given Monday off by manager Ian McParland, reporting into training yesterday complaining of a sore hamstring.

But after speaking to McParland (right) and asking for his permission to leave, he packed his belongings, telling colleagues he would not be returning.

County, who will review the manager's position next week after results tailed off, are set to grant Campbell's wish and have agreed to release him from the £40,000-a-week deal he signed.

Campbell had expected to undertake some coaching duties at the club but will be in great demand as a player again because he will be a free transfer.

Newcastle were interested in signing him during the summer and, with a takeover finally seeming likely at St James' Park, may well target him again.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has described him as one of the top six defenders in the Premier League and would have signed him if it were not for his history with the club.

The future for Notts looks considerably more questionable. In addition to losing their marquee signing quitting the club, the ownership of the club is continuing to come under the scrutiny of the Football League.

They have requested documentation about the club's major shareholders after they were taken over by Swiss-based consortium Munto Finance, who were fronted by executive chairman Peter Trembling.

Middle East backers are thought to be involved but the identities of the people behind Munto Finance are unknown and League rules state that all club directors and significant shareholders must pass a 'fit and proper person' test

 

ere

[muleskinner]

Its no surprise, he looked terrible for Portsmouth last year, no pace whatsoever. If he can't hack it in League 2 he won't find it any easier in the Championship.

[John am Rhein]

sh*t player

[Walrus]

sh*t player

Haha, I honestly thought I had opened the Zlatan thread there.

[John am Rhein]

Haha, I honestly thought I had opened the Zlatan thread there.

 

So did I

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Notts County have sacked McParland

[Cam]

Hmm, obviously their new manager won't be Sven. Nosireebob.