Feeling wanted was the key to capturing Sean Davis (From The Bolton News)

Feeling wanted was the key to capturing Sean Davis

8:00am Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

IT seems all Wanderers needed to do to make Sean Davis their first signing of the summer was to show a little love.

The 29-year-old yesterday kissed goodbye to Portsmouth after three years, ending an uneasy relationship at Fratton Park to become the first piece of Gary Megson’s summer makeover.

It ended a long chase for the Wanderers boss, who had first tried to land the industrious midfielder in January. But just seven months later, his persistence paid off, literally, as he snapped him up on a free transfer — a saving of anything between £2-3.5million.

Affection had been in short supply at times for Davis on the South Coast.

He was praised for his part in Pompey’s fight against relegation in 2006 as Harry Redknapp plundered Spurs for him, Pedro Mendes and Noe Paramot to instigate another Houdini act.

But the signing of Lassina Diarra the following season forced him to the margins of the squad and months later Davis cut a disconsolate figure in the stands after being left out of the FA Cup final squad, later refusing to take part in the seafront celebrations.

Although he regained his first team place because of Diarra’s injury problems and consequent departure to Real Madrid, his cup final slight was one he never forgot.

To make matters worse, Redknapp then tried to sell Davis, and is understood to have been unhappy when the Lambeth-born midfielder refused to move north of the border with Celtic.

Circumstances brought him back to the fore, however, as the departure of Suley Muntari and Pedro Mendes left Pompey short of midfield options, and by the time Tony Adams took over the reins after Redknapp left for Spurs, he was firmly considered a first team player.

When Wanderers came calling in January Adams immediately tabled a three-year contract offer, although both the manager’s unstable post and the club’s precarious league position were contributing factors in that deal staying unsigned for the rest of the season.

By February, Adams was sacked and Paul Hart took temporary charge, sticking by Davis as Pompey inched to safety. He was praised for his performance against Wanderers in the narrow 1-0 win at Fratton Park that all-but guaranteed the club’s Premier League safety.

Since the end of last season, the fact he was bound for the North West was rarely in question. Other clubs, including near neighbours Blackburn Rovers are thought to have made tentative enquiries — but Davis’s mind seemed to be made up.

Speaking yesterday, the midfielder hinted that Wanderers’ long-standing interest, and the presence of former Pomey team-mates Andy O’Brien and Matt Taylor, had convinced him to move his family to Lancashire from their Wimbledon base.

“Bolton showed a genuine interest in January and I found that hugely encouraging,” he said. “It is an exciting opportunity, not just for me but my family as well.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back and I’ll be raring to go at the start of the season. I just want to come to Bolton and work hard, enjoy my football and take the club forward.

“I have got some friends here already in Matt Taylor and Andy O’Brien who both spoke highly of the manager and the set-up. It’s always nice when there are familiar faces at a new club and I’m sure that it will help me to bed in with the rest of the squad.

“Bolton have got modern facilities and a great stadium, plus I wanted to move to a club where I can play my football and be appreciated.”