I Wanted To Stay - Kabba

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 08/11/2002

RECALLED loan star Steve Kabba was days away from giving Grimsby Town fans the thumbs-up and signing a season-long loan deal at Blundell Park, the Grimsby Telegraph revealed today saying he was swayed by the amazing response to the Keep Kabba campaign and was ready to sign up until next summer.

But yesterday he was called home with a striker crisis at Selhurst Park and will be in the Eagles' squad to face Nottingham Forest instead of heading for Stoke City with the Mariners.

"I was ready to say 'yes'. I've been pulling towards staying after the way it has gone in the last couple of weeks. I was going to sign next week but then Grezzer (Graham Rodger) pulled me into his office and said they'd had a call that Palace wanted me back."

"I didn't see a reason to leave here and I was just waiting because I wanted to see how things would pan out. I'm disappointed that I have to go back because I've been scoring goals and really enjoying it here.

"I want to say a big thank you to the fans. To all of them who have got behind me in the last few days. Their support has been great and I want to thank everyone at the club, the players and the staff. I've been treated really well and the boys have been good to me."

He is in the last year of his contract at Selhurst Park and says he is now uncertain about his future. An injury to Palace frontman Dougie Freedman Francis needs him back. It is uncertain if he will return to Blundell Park as Town player.

"I know I'm going back to Palace but I think I'll only end up sat on the bench and I don't want that. I was starting at Grimsby and that's what I needed, to play and score goals."

"I didn't realise how quickly they wanted me so I'll have to get straight on the train. I don't know if I'll back, I don't what will happen at all."

"We've been doing really well and last Saturday's performance was one of our best. I had a lot of chances and I'm angry with myself for not scoring in that game. There were a few goals in that game for me and I think I could have got more if I stayed."

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