United defender Mirfin keen to extend stay at Glanford Park
MODEST David Mirfin reluctantly accepts his stock has risen following some impressive performances at Scunthorpe United – but that won't affect his desire to extend his stay at Glanford Park.
The former Huddersfield Town defender is the latest player out-of-contract in the summer to be questioned about his future and he insists a new Iron deal is at the top of his agenda.
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HAPPY TO STAY: Scunthorpe United defender David Mirfin.
Since suffering a foot injury in mid-October, contract talks with the centre-back and his agent have stalled – but Mirfin told the Telegraph he wants them to re-open quickly, so all parties reach an agreement 'sooner rather than later'.
"Have I raised my profile since I've been at Scunthorpe? Maybe, but that isn't something I ever really think about," said the Yorkshireman.
"I love playing games and I love playing in the Championship. It's been a steep learning curve for me, but I've thoroughly enjoyed it and loved doing it at Scunthorpe.
"There's no reason why that should change.
"Scunthorpe have been a brilliant club to me in terms of my development and what we've achieved in the past couple of years.
"I'd love to still be here next season, still learning and playing."
Scunthorpe paid Huddersfield £150,000 to sign Mirfin in August 2008 and have since almost built their back four around him.
Now aged 25, he could walk away for nothing in the summer, along with fellow Iron stars Martyn Woolford and Joe Murphy, if not tied down to a new deal.
Voted the Iron's player of the season by Telegraph readers last year, Mirfin is likely to be courted by other clubs – even though he says a link with hometown club Sheffield United last summer was nothing more than 'paper talk'.
He is adamant though Glanford Park is where he wants to remain – and is confident he will do so in the Championship.
"I don't know where the link with Sheffield United came from, maybe with me being from Sheffield, I don't know. But there was nothing in it," he confirmed.
"Obviously it's nice to be linked with clubs like that, but when there's nothing in it, there's no point to it really.
"It never affected me. A few of my mates joked about it because they're Wednesday fans, but that was as far as it went.
"Since I've been at Scunthorpe I've had a promotion-winning season and then two years in the Championship.
"It couldn't have gone any better for me to be honest.
"Being in the Championship again next season would cap it off."
It is up to Scunthorpe to make sure that happens.
4 Comments
by iron kev, scunthorpe
Sunday, January 02 2011, 3:58PM
“same excuses same crap, godden showed more in 40 mins than forte as all season. great club but no ambition while wharton chairman, manager sadly out his depth cos players aint good enough and he not got same motivational skills as adkins.”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Saturday, January 01 2011, 6:07PM
“What more do you expect? The "journalists" at the ET are only interested in acting as the club's mouthpiece. Out of interest chaps, where did you get following up Wharton's assertion that it's not worth trying to attract new supporters? Or the story about us not qualifying for a FL grant due to being too well run? Unless I missed it, that was never followed up and verified one way or another.”
by P.Doff, Rejectedsville
Saturday, January 01 2011, 12:30PM
“Probably stalled due to Wharton's YTS wage offers. Wharton is hell bent on getting us out of the NPC and isn't going to want any capable players on the books just in case we survive again like he did not wanted last season.
Why do the hacks on here back away from real probing issues with the club?
There will be more of this type of intelligence insulting "reports" until such time as someone at the ST grows some cajones.”
by Steve, London
Saturday, January 01 2011, 11:04AM
“Why does the SET publish junk like this? Everyone knows what comes of stories like these - the player leaves despite swearing loyalty to SUFC, offers made but not accepted etc.
The same will apply to anyone who attracts attention as a result of some good performances. SUFC is just a shop window which would have 'sale' permanently plastered over it if it wasn't for the transfer windows.
Will SUFC make good offers to MIrf, Murphy and Woolford in January and then sell if not accepted. If they don't, they are crazy. Mirf and Wooly cost money, it would be good to recoup some of it if they won't commit (which they won't).
Stop insulting our intelligence Steels. This article is absolute rubbish.”