MN Thunder signs Francis Doe –
The real story
By: Bruce Wiah - Beat Reporter - Liberiansoccer.com
3/26/ 2004 Accra, Ghana)-Minnesota
Thunder, a 2nd division side in the United States , has concluded the
signing of Liberia ’s Francis Doe on a two-year loan spell from his
refugee team, Buduburam FC of Ghana .
Doe signing comes after 18 months of four separate tryouts, which took
him to Walsall FC and Portsmouth of England and to Al Jazirah of the
United Arab Emirates and t hen to Metro Stars in the US.
But Francis Doe, his family and DISM are excited and view his signing
as a new beginning for the 18 year-old whose career was threatened by
a tragic thigh strain at Walsall of England and a protracted illness
nearly a year ago.
Buzz Lagos , Thunder’s Head Coach, seems much more fascinated by the
skills and prospects of the promising Liberian talent.
“Francis Doe is a young and explosive finisher and We anticipate a
solid year out of this player”, Buzz Lagos , Thunder Head Coach told
the team’s official web site.
Thunder, which has three other Liberian players - John Menyongar,
Melvin Tarley and Aaron Paye in its line-up, has been watching Doe
ever since he was 16 years-old.
The former Tonnerre KC dashing forward and Buduburam FC all-time top
scorer was two months ago invited by MLS giant Metro Stars, but
rejected their loan offer to join 3rd division Rough Riders of Long
Island in New York .
Doe, 18, spent six days with Metro Stars and had seven minutes in a
trial match but amazingly lived up to expectation. The close of Metro
Stars foreign players’ registration prompted the loan, which has
already been snubbed.
Although financial details of the Thunder’s deal are still held
quietly, the startling youngster has the option to leave and pursue
his career at his discretion.
“His contract allows him to seek and pursue any and all options
available to him anytime and anywhere in the world”, confided Charles
Dean, President of DISM, the player’s Management group.
According to DISM, the option which allows the player leaves the club
whenever he chooses has reduced the Thunder’s financial assessment and
investment strategies in the spirited Liberian attacker.
Some of Doe’s fans have criticized the deal considering the player’s
highly rated profile and quality, and believes he should have begun
either in Europe or in the US Major League.
"The league in the UAE is far below standard as compare to the one in
the US, and in fact this the team that beat the Liberian national team
5-1 two years back", replied Velmer Porte, DISM Vice President.
DISM and Francis Doe has earlier scrapped another contract with UAE's
Al Jazirah few days before the Metro Stars trial invitation.
DISM - Dorkpah International Sport Management owner of Buduburam FC
according to President Dean, has considered a lot of other options and
deems the signing of Francis Doe with MN Thunder as the best at the
moment.
“The player’s future is foremost in whatever agreement we sign and
we’re not considering monetary gains now”, Vice President Porte
argued.
The Thunder travels to Madison this weekend for a pre-season
tournament and Francis Doe is said to be in high mental and physical
readiness.
The fearless and rampaging forward had a rewarding stint with
Cameroonian side Tonnerre KC and was pivotal in the team's 2002 CAF
Cup campaign, which they lose to JS Kabylie.
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