Fan power is becoming more prevalent in English football and John Achterberg can thank Tranmere supporters for rescuing his Prenton Park career.
After contract talks had broken down between the big goalkeeper and Rovers, it looked as though he was heading through the exit door until more than 3,000 supporters signed an e-mail petition calling on the club to grant Achterberg a testimonial in recognition of his contribution to Tranmere over the last nine years.
However, the prospect of Achterberg remaining on the Wirral looked bleak last Friday when the club released the following statement...
"After months of negotiations it was not possible to agree terms for a new contract. In addition John had failed a medical.
"The club offered John a new contract as a player and also a two-year contract as a coach. The club discussed the option of a testimonial and gave John the option of joining in pre-season training, with or without a new contract having been agreed, in the hope that he will be fully fit by the start of the new season.
"However, John made further demands and approached other clubs with a view to creating an auction for his services. The club matched all of John's initial demands but he added further demands.
"John has made a massive contribution to the club over the last nine years and everyone wishes him well but the club cannot be forced into an unreasonable bidding war for the services of any player."
It looked as though the 35-year-old Dutchman would be flying the nest with Chester amongst the interested suitors after he released the following reply last Friday.
He said: "I have to consider whether it is worth having a public row with the club after the nine great and happy years I spent at Prenton Park. It may be better to leave people to make up their own minds about this issue. Football moves on and the club is bigger than any player."
However, 298 first team appearances since his arrival from Eindhoven in 1998 had endeared him to the Prenton Park faithful and they took up the cudgels on his behalf. Achterberg missed the second half of the 2005-06 campaign with a groin injury and started only five first team games last season, suffering a cruciate ligament injury in February.
However, Achterberg continued his work as a goalkeeping coach to Tranmere's youth and school of excellence players.
The petition calling on the club to retain Achterberg was launched last week on www.roversrearguard web site and was signed by more than 3,000 fans by last night - over half the average attendance for League games at Prenton Park last season.
And it proved compelling evidence as less than a week after releasing Achterberg on a free transfer, saying he had failed a medical, Tranmere re-signed the 35-year-old Dutchman on a two-year contract.
The petition was suspended as Tranmere reopened negotiations with Achterberg that had broken down last Friday. This time there was a speedy agreement between club and player and an outcome that pleased the petitioners.
Under the new deal, Achterberg will have a coaching role with Tranmere's first team, youth team and centre of excellence goalkeepers. He will also work with Tranmere's football in the community section and on commercial goalkeeping courses involving the club.
Tranmere said in a press release yesterday that he would start the season as second choice goalkeeper but Achterberg is delighted at the positive outcome. Achterberg said:"I'm delighted to be staying at the club. We couldn't agree terms last week but I'm pleased we have now reached an agreement.
"I have enjoyed my nine years at Tranmere and look forward to continuing my stay here. I have been involved in the coaching of young goalkeepers for some time and am pleased the club has given me the opportunity to make it a permanent role. I also hope to prove my fitness in time and be involved on the playing side."
