Stefani Miglioranzi has explained that Colin Todd's resignation at Bolton Wanderers saw his prospective move to the Whites fall through and instead saw him move to Portsmouth.
In 1999, Miglioranzi was a free agent looking for his next move in the game. He had been on trial at Everton and was offered a reserve team contract, but the then 21-year-old wanted more than that.
A move to Portsmouth was on the cards, but due to being in administration, the transfer was uncertain. That was when a move to Wanderers became a realistic prospect.
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Then Wanderers boss Todd said he had to move some players on in the Whites' squad before the move could come to pass. But his subsequent resignation meant the end of that possibility, which led to the midfielder moving to Fratton Park.
Speaking to the News, Miglioranzi said: "Pompey were still in administration, the takeover by Milan Mandaric was in the works, and, while they wanted to sign me, it wasn’t definitive whether they could.
"My agent was working to get me the right opportunity and I was presented with the option of joining Bolton, who I had faced in the final game of the season, with their keeper pulling off a worldie of a save to deny me a goal.
"I accepted the move, but manager Colin Todd’s caveat was firstly he had to move on a couple of players before I could put pen to paper.
"Next thing I know, I received a call from my agent: 'Colin just called, he has apologised profusely, but he’s going to resign. There’s no contract for you at Bolton'. They had picked a house for me too!
"That same summer, I also had the opportunity to sign for Liverpool reserves. I believed some Pompey games had been watched by their scouts and they thought enough of my ability that I was a consideration.
"However, I had stayed in touch with Pompey and Alan Ball wanted me back. With the administration stuff now resolved, I instead signed a three-year deal at Fratton Park."
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