Richie Wellens

There was a mixed reaction when midfielder Richie Wellens joined us in 2007 on a free transfer from Oldham Altheletic. The playmaker had a bit of an ego, a reputation, with fans of his previous clubs - Oldham and Blackpool.

For a then-27-year-old, it was an astonishing feat that Wellens had never been 'sold'. No money had ever, in his entire career, been payed between two different clubs for his signature.

There's a simple reason why. Richie Wellens, at Manchester United and his other two clubs whom I have already mentioned, he had 'run down' his contract. He refused to enter negotiations with the clubs because he always believed he could get payed more elsewhere. By doing this he gave no commitement to his parent club, and therefore caused a feud with their supporters.

It should never be taken away that Wellens was a remarkable player, even the doubters knew that. He had, when he arrived at Donny, just been named in the League One Team Of The Year, and was quite possibly the best player in the division. He was bought by Sean O'Driscoll because he was looked upon as the ideal candidate to form a partnership with Brian Stock which would be the foundations for a new Rovers team.

This idea worked a threat as by the following May, Rovers gained promotion at Wembley by beating Leeds United in the play-off final. Wellens was then part of the 'great escape' Rovers side that survived the drop from the Championship at the first attempt, despite sitting bottom of the table at Christmas.

In July 2009, following weeks (not months) of speculation, Wellens signed for Leicester City. It was the highest fee that the keepmoat-outfit had ever recieved, quadrupiling the fee of the sale of Darren Moore in the 90's.

This time Wellens broke his own personal duck. He left because a club met his asking price. The comments he made after the move showed he did not want to leave, and he showed a passion and commitement for the cause that he had never shown in his entire career. He left in a way that he had become an extra-ordinary player. Now, you can't become a legend in two years, but Richie Wellens' consistant performances in two different divisions and without leaving in a negative way, Richie Wellens came unbelievably close.