The Scottish football page in the Planet Football section of this month's FourFourTwo magazine has an article about Jim McAlister.The articles in this section usually look at quirky aspects of a player's personality or career - and this one is no different. There are two main focal points: the fact that Jim had to get a boat from Rothesay to get to training every day before he moved to the mainland - the article is titled: Plain Sailing; Meet Morton's Jim McAlister, possibly the only footballer who catches a fishing boat to work - and that his Dad has a farm and McAlister works on it during the summer.
However, I found the most interesting part of the piece right at the end. Jim isn't quoted directly but the article (I'm not sure who it is by as there is no by line but the Scottish editor is Graeme Thomson) suggests that he was unhappy with the contract extension he signed in December 2007 that ties him to the club until May 2010. It says:
Stellar cup showings this season against Hibs and Inverness Caley Thistle prompted Rangers to monitor his progress, while Motherwell were left frustrated by the 'Ton's desire to retain their talisman. McAlister wasn't told of Fir Park's interest; instead he was offered an extension to his contract to maximise sell-on value.
With no agent to fight his corner, he diplomatically describes his chairman's conduct as "smart" and his own "naive". He's unlikely to make the same mistake twice: "Unlike farming, football's a short career. I want to be the best I can for myself, my family and everyone back home."
It would appear that Jim regrets his decision to sign that contract extension. The last quote certainly suggests he is looking to move on sooner rather than later.
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