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CHRIS CARRUTHERS (Defender) Born: 19th August 1983 Where:Kettering	Joined Wycombe: Agreed a two year deal in June 2005 and was set to sign officially on 1st July 2005 on a free from Northampton Town. However, the player had a last minute change of mind and joined Bristol Rovers instead. Chairboys.co.uk had already completed his player profile, so it seemed a shame to waste it and appears here along with a few media comments at the time of his u-turn.
	Career Details (* indicates loan spell) Stats up to the end of the 2004/5 season. Date Club League Apps League goals Cup Apps Cup Goals Aug00-Jun05 Northampton Town 52(22) 1 12(3) 0 Mar05-May05 Bristol Rovers(*) 2(3) 0 0 0 Jul05- Bristol Rovers - - - - Background: The 21 year old left sided defender was to become Wanderers' sixth signing of a busy close season off the pitch at Adams Park. However, in an amazing u-turn the former Northampton Town trainee opted to join Bristol Rovers instead. It left bitter feelings with Club officials and supporters alike at Wycombe. Bristol Rovers Manager Ian Atkins explained the way the deal happened via their official website, saying ""The attitude he's shown, and his determination to join Bristol Rovers and Bristol Rovers only, is something I've never seen before. He made it clear after last season that he wanted to come here, but during the summer, when clubs don't like to pay wages if they can help it, Wycombe stepped in. I couldn't do anything at the time because I didn't have the go-ahead. But he kept ringing me, and I think he actually signed for Wycombe on a Saturday in June, and then went on holiday the next day. But before flying off he sent me a text message saying that although he had signed for Wycombe, his contract didn't start until 1st July, and if there was anything that could be done between now and then to let him know. He made it clear he wanted to come to Bristol Rovers, and that with no disrespect to Wycombe, he would rather come here." The 6'1" player made his debut for the Cobblers towards the end of the 2000/2001 season at the age of 17. He went on to total 89 First Team appearances for Town and scored his only professional goal in the 4-1 defeat of Wycombe in April 2002. He represented England at U20 level in the World Youth Championships in November 2003 but First Team opportunities at Sixfields became limited and he made just three First Team appearances for Cobblers in 2004/5 and was loaned to Horchurch, Kettering Town and at the tail end of the campaign was on loan at Bristol Rovers and played against Wycombe on the final day of the season. He joins Bristol Rovers despite having a year on his contract to run and was said to have opted for Rovers because he was more likely to play First Team football. "It's nothing against Wycombe, but this is the first time I've known a player want to come to a club so much in these circumstances. He got a good feel for the place and for the fans towards the end of last season, and he wanted to come back. Atkins added "It takes a brave man to do what he did. He rang Wycombe back and said that his heart was set on moving to Bristol Rovers. It's fantastic for this football club to have players like that here, and hopefully he will be a cult hero with the fans straight away." Meanwhile, Wycombe boss John Gorman commented to the Wanderers official website, "If a player doesn't want to be here then it's in the best interests of both parties that we rip up the contract and allow him to go. He's been told that he'll play regularly for Bristol Rovers and I put it to him that he couldn't be guaranteed that here. Everyone of our players in the squad is happy to fight for a place and I don't want players here who aren't up for the challenge." Carruthers was allowed to speak to Rovers about his change of mind because he was techinically still a Northampton player at the time and his move to Wycombe was pending a medical. Gorman added "We want players who want to be here and if someone doesn't want that it's in the best interests to let him go. In all honesty I've got plenty of other options but I just felt we needed cover in the left back position. There's other people I have in mind and I'm hopeful that something will happen in the near future."
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