Brodie signs for Crawley in record deal

York City striker Richard Brodie has signed for Blue Square Premier rivals Crawley Town just three minutes short of the August transfer deadline. Brodie is understood to have moved for a £275,000 fee - which is a record at this level of the game - after netting 37 goals for the Minstermen as they reached the play-off final last season. He is expected to team up with fellow recent recruit and one-time York-target Matt Tubbs at Crawley, who have already spent more than half-a-million pounds in the transfer market since May."He's a goal-scorer, but he also works very hard for the team. He complements our squad very nicely," delighted manager Steve Evans told BBC SussexEvans conceded that the plan to unite Brodie and former Salisbury striker Tubbs had been in his mind for some considerable time. "I spoke long and hard to our defenders, as well as seeking counsel from other people," he continued. "The defenders said Brodie and Tubbs independently were a right handful, and they would welcome having them on board. That's the biggest testament that you can have."Opposite number Martin Foyle was understandably disappointed at the decision to part with his prized asset."Obviously you're a little bit disappointed to lose your top goal scorer," he told BBC Radio York. "But from a club's point of view it was a decision to accept it. From my point of view you've got to get on with it."You've got to look at all equations. You couldn't afford to make the same mistake as before with Clayton Donaldson who went to Scotland and the club got no fee for him."So we've got to look at the books and the overall picture and it's probably the right decision that the club has got to make." Foyle admitted.  "The loan window opens in over a week's time so that's something that I've got to use. Hopefully we can get somebody in because we certainly need somebody in."

Source: FOOTYMAD