It has been revealed by Lincolnshire Live this afternoon that Harry Anderson’s contract is up this summer.
The last time he penned a deal it was classed as a ‘long-term‘ one, so it hasn’t been 100% clear when it was due to end. However, that ambiguity has been removed this afternoon, with Michael speaking openly about his plans or indeed lack of them at the moment.
“There’s a couple of things that need to be addressed in his current contract,” said Appleton when asked about Anderson, who broke the 200 appearance barrier for the Imps this season. “To be fair, it’s not even on my mind at the minute. Once the season’s done, we’ll have plenty of time. I think Harry gets that. I’ve had enough conversations with him.”
That will certainly leave a few Imps fans a little concerned that the one remaining remnant of the 2016/17 season could depart the club this summer. Michael certainly hints at a new deal, or at least an extension of the existing one, and Harry has always seemed very happy at the club, but even so, at 24 he is an established League One player and likely to be hot property.
Harry has appeared 29 times in League One for the Imps this season, starting 14 and coming on as a sub on 15 occasions. He’s scored three league goals, the last of which came as we went down 3-1 at Charlton. After breaking into the side following his spell out injured, he was a surprise omission for the final game of the season, not even making the bench.
It has been a tough season for Harry. He started superbly, and controlled games against Crewe and Forest Green in particular. He bagged three in five in the EFL Trophy too, and never let the club down when he has pulled on the shirt, but after seemingly being struck down by Covid, he then picked up an injury and played just five times between New Year and the beginning of April. In total, he’s now played 206 times for City, reaching the 200 against Blackpool, and bagging 32 goals. In his last two matches, he has a goal and an assist and in total, he’s claimed more than 20 assists for the Imps. Not once has he let the club down, and with three trophies and two play-off appearances in his five years here, he is without a doubt the most successful player the club has ever had.
The situation is complicated by his age. he’s now 24, which means were he to decide a move away from the club was preferable, he could walk away for nothing and the club couldn’t claim compensation, much the same as when James Jones left Crewe to come here. I’m not saying that will happen, I can’t see Harry being the type to hunt a move whilst the season is on, but an agent, who knows?
Every time I’ve spoken to Harry I’ve been struck by his humility. At times, it is like chatting to one of your mates, there are no barriers at all. He actually revealed to me he was taking part in the infamous Come Dine With Me dinner party with Ben Coker the day before the news broke properly, but that is Harry. He’s genuine, what you see is what you get, and if he knows the score and wants to stay, then I can’t see him being swayed.
Right now, there is a lot more to focus on than one player’s contract and, whether it is Harry, Sean Roughan or someone else, players leave football clubs. You just have to swallow it down and trust the manager and if I’m honest, as we move into a League One play-off game against a side who were Premier League when Harry joined us, I’m inclined to put my trust in the Big Apple.
That said, I desperately would love Harry to stay, because he is a great asset to the squad, even if he isn’t starting every week.
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