King gets offers, opposition after outstanding season

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

After an outstanding season for Championship division club Coventry City, Reggae Boy Marlon King is out of a contract this summer and carefully weighing his options.

But fans of at least one club rumoured to be interested in his services have made it clear that he would not be welcome.

Leicester City are said to be keen on acquiring the services of the Jamaican marksman, who has netted an impressive 12 goals in 27 games since joining Coventry in September, but could risk the ire of the fans, especially women, should they pursue their interest.

The 31-year-old joined Coventry after serving nine of an 18-month prison sentence for physically assaulting a woman in a nightclub and breaking her nose after she refused his advances.

In letters to one of the city's newspapers - Leicester Mercury - some fans were quick to voice their disapproval. Signing King would alienate a "massive section" of the club's fan base, one fan from West End, Leicester, wrote.

"I will also organise a high-profile boycott campaign for all women and girls to stop attending," she added.

"Is this the sort of club we have become? What exactly are you saying to every woman and girl who attend matches every week, Sven (manager Sven Goran Eriksson)?" another was quoted as saying on the paper's website (www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk).

"Which parents want their daughters attending matches when this man is playing?

"I, for one, will never attend again if this man is signed."

King, a proven goalscorer, perhaps enjoyed his best season when he led Watford to the Premier League in 2006 after being crowned the Championship's top scorer, was sacked by Wigan Athletic, which he joined in 2008, after the incident. However, it's not all opposition for the forward and at least some fans seem unopposed to the move.

"I can see people's point of view on this because of what he did," said Cliff Ginnetta, chairperson of the official Leicester City supporters' club.

"But I have always been of the opinion that if someone has served his sentence and paid his debt to society, he is entitled to a fresh start.

"Marlon King is a fantastic footballer, probably the best striker we've come up against this season."

The controversial striker, who has been the subject of abusive chants from away fans for most of the season, however, faced similar opposition ahead of his move to Coventry. And, after a diligent season in front of goal, he has now been presented with a new three-year contract and while he is yet to sign, King could very well stay put.