Cutler departs

Last updated : 09 June 2004 By Mark Holmes
Cutler's contract ran out at the end of the season but Tony Pulis did decide to offer the 27-year-old a new deal despite the fact that he had placed him on the transfer list earlier in the season and loaned him out to Swansea.

It comes as no surprise however that Cutler has decided to leave the club although a move to Vetch Field looked more likely after his successful loan spell there this season.

It is thought that he was offered a contract by the Swans but Cutler opted to join the Hatters on a two-year deal with the relative short travelling distance no doubt a factor in Cutler's decision.

Cutler made 82 appearances for the Potters but was limited to just 16 this season as he has been an understudy to Ed De Goey. At this stage of his career it is no surprise he wants regular football and he should be assured of this at Edgeley Park with County's only other 'keeper being 19-year-old James Spencer.

Neil was signed in the Summer of 2001 initially as back-up for Gavin Ward but he forced his way into the side and broke the record for the amount of time before conceding a goal, inevitably it was Vale's Steve McPhee who scored the first goal against Cutler in a 1-1 draw at Vale Park.

Under the reign of Gudjon Thordarson few expected Cutler to remain first choice at the Britannia Stadium particularly after money was (badly) spent on Finnish international Jani Viander. However, he was fantastic in our promotion winning season and kept 19 clean sheets.

He struggled along with many others in City's first season in the first division and Tony Pulis brought in Mark Crossley and Steve Banks for the final run-in and then De Goey was signed as first choice keeper for this season.

However, he has proved himself to be a more than capable understudy and seems to have improved many aspects of his game when he has appeared this season.

He is no doubt a good signing for Stockport and we wish him the best of luck in the future.