October 23 2003

Simon Jordan

Eagles chief Simon Jordan said Palace had to sell Hayden Mullins to West Ham or he would have walked off for free at the end of the season.

Mullins, who worked his way up through the Palace youth ranks, was out of contract at the end of the season and was available on a Bosman.

Jordan said: "We would always have preferred to keep Mullins at Crystal Palace but he made it clear that he would be reluctant to sign a new deal.

"This would mean he would have left the club at the end of the season when his contract expired as a free agent.

"The sale was in the best interests of Crystal Palace Football Club and the funds will be used to further enhance the squad."