Former Wolves, Bolton and Cardiff man reveals failed Huddersfield Town and Rangers transfer
A former Wolves striker has opened up on two transfers that went cold - and gives his take on an ex-manager.
Adam Le Fondre joined Wolves on loan in the 2015/16 season, and netted three times in 30 appearances. He arrived having been out of favour at parent club Cardiff City, but rediscovered his form at Bolton Wanderers, getting eight goals in 17 games.
Kenny Jackett was manager of Wolves at the time of Le Fondre's arrival, and he led the club to a 14th placed finish, after finishing seventh in the first season back in the Championship. Le Fondre, a super sub for most of his career, was limited to just 10 league starts, and admitted his frustration over his lack of first-team opportunities.
The 37-year-old, now a free agent after being released by Hibs, made the claim that he could have arrived in Scotland sooner. He has alleged that Kenny gave him a bad reference, which put off Rangers from signing him in 2016.
Speaking on the I Had Trials Once podcast, he said: "In pre-season I had Rangers offer me a three-year (deal) and I was like f***ing hell this is unreal. I'm looking at gaffs and that I'm like oh yeah, let's go.
"Let's go up there, like I'm going to do well and score goals. I think they just got back to the Prem. But they signed Garner I think, in the end.
"But I was set to sign. Everything was done apparently, and then it just went cold. I was like what's happened? My agent didn't have a scooby.”
Going in to further detail about the matter with Jackett, Le Fondre added: "I was going to go to Huddersfield, Hudders were like yeah we went to take you. The year they went up and I was like yeah buzzing, let's go to Huddersfield, an hour from home. Let's go there.
"And they come back and they went oh someone has given you a bad reference. So Kenny Jackett has given me a bad reference. I've gone to Kenny Jackett's assistant who has been giving me a bad reference?
"There's only you who can do that. And he's like 'alright I'll speak to Kenny and see but no one can give you a bad reference. The way you handled yourself here you were great, blah blah blah and all this stuff.
"Kenny has killed me saying like I don't want it, I'm not hungry, and all this b******ks. I was like what the f*** are you on about? I took a pay cut to go to Wolves. Like I forego all my bonuses which is a lot of money at the time to go and play for them. He killed me by not playing me."
Le Fondre was loaned out to Wigan Athletic the following season, but only found the back of the net once for the Latics. He had to drop down to League One to discover his form, returning to Bolton Wanderers where he netted six goals in 19 games to help them get promotion.
The Stockport-born striker would spend two years with the Trotters, before four seasons out in Australia and India with Sydney and Mumbai City, before joining Hibs last year. He is currently on trial with FC United of Manchester, who play in the Northern Premier League.