Mystery Surrounds the "Luton Three"

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/03/2009

TOM Newey and goalkeepers Phil Barnes and Gary Montgomery all left Blundell Park in controversial circumstances yesterday. Shortly before kick-off in last night's game an announcement was made on Mariners Net that the trio had left the club "by mutual consent".

However in the post-match press conference Mike Newell refused to talk about it and appeared to suggest that they were still at the club.

When asked if the club had severed ties with the players, Newell replied: "Have we? They were (still with the club) when I left this morning."

"They weren't in the squad - that's a different question. The reason is I didn't want them in the squad.

"If you want to talk about the game, let's talk about the game. Right now, I don't want to talk about people who didn't play. That's for another time."

All three players are believed to have been out of contract in the summer.

Phil Barnes has been absent for the past month with "tonsilitis" and Gary Montgomery had been overlooked by Newell in bringing in Henderson on loan. However without a full time goalkeeper at the club, it would appear to be a risky policy getting rid of both full time staff. Ironically Henderson could have been sent off last night for violent conduct,

Tom Newey has been in and out of the side, has often looked disinterested, and has not always been popular with the fans, although on his day he can be a good player.