With the imminent arrival of Simon Ferry and Paul Caddis from Celtic, who are expected to be unveiled before the Nottingham Forest match tomorrow, it seems strange and exciting at the same time, that Town now find themselves in a position to state their intent and commit to splash the cash by paying a significant transfer fee for the first time in a while.

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Chairman Andrew Fitton has now revealed Town will pay an initial fee of £350,000 for the pair with future add ons depending on appearances and achievements, plus a sell on clause, that will potentially cost the club £600,000. This represents a significant fee considering the club’s past financial history and recent record in transfer fees, by heavily relying on free transfers.

The recent sale of Gordon Greer to Brighton for £250,000 (however annoying) obviously helped. Without this income it would have been very unlikely Town would have been able to make their second successful increased bid for the Celtic duo. The truth is the fee could have, and should have been more. Town have secured an excellent deal, at least according to many Celtic fans, who in particular rate Caddis, the Scotland U21 player, very highly and expected a significantly higher fee.

We are not known as big spenders in the transfer market. Our recent record of highest transfer fees paid over the past 10 seasons shows how much money has been tight with 4 of 10 seasons seeing no fees paid. Also, in these 10 seasons, only 3 players have been deemed valuable enough to merit a fee of £100,000 or above.

• 2009/2010 – Scott Cuthbert £100,000
• 2008/2009 – No fees paid
• 2007/2008 – Simon Cox £200,000
• 2006/2007 – Peter Brezovan £60,000
• 2005/2006 – No fees paid
• 2004/2005 – Jerel Ifil £70,000
• 2003/2004 – Rory Fallon £50,000
• 2002/2003 – No fees paid
• 2001/2002 – No fees paid
• 2000/2001 – Gary Alexander £300,000

With a ‘big’ transfer fee comes the risk, see Gary Alexander, who scored only 7 goals in 37 appearances and was soon off to Hull. However, with Ferry we know what we are getting following his successful loan, also the 22 year old attacking right wing back / wide midfielder Caddis has been chased by Wilson for some time and his purchase is clearly a thoroughly considered decision.

So is this a risky purchase?……