Bristol City have ruffled a few feathers at Luton Town over the last 12 months having signed two of their players.
It started in the summer when City signed Kal Naismith on a free transfer which led to the Hatters questioning the Robins' etiquette in how they went about their business.
Long story short, Luton claimed they only learned the Scot had agreed a pre-contract with City after the Robins announced his impending arrival, with his signing supposedly coming completely out of the blue. Naismith had turned down a new deal in Bedfordshire which led to the statement: "We have learnt that Kal Naismith has agreed to join Bristol City when his Luton Town contract comes to an end next month.
"We were surprised to discover from our fellow Championship club’s announcement, without advance warning as is the usual etiquette, that the 30-year-old has rejected the opportunity of a new contract at Kenilworth Road."
Former boss Nathan Jones would then seemingly question City's transfer strategy by adding: "It’s very difficult for us to compete with other Championship clubs who are envious of our pay structure, but can blow it apart. But that’s the way we’re run and we’re very proud of the way we run our club and what we do."
Then in January, Harry Cornick followed in his former team-mate's footsteps by leaving Kenilworth Road for Ashton Gate. Although it was in slightly different circumstances with City paying Luton a low six-figure fee for the forward having entered the final six months of his deal.
Luton may go on to have the last laugh this season as their 1-0 victory on Wednesday left them fourth in the Championship and looking good for a promotion push via the play-offs, but there still appears to be a hint of bitterness, judging by chairman David Wilkinson's comments in the matchday programme.
The initial paragraph highlighted City's "up and down season" and being "one of the few clubs who can't practically be involved at either end of the table." A fair and perhaps accurate comment.
He then went on to pinpoint the club's financial situation and alluded to City underachieving given the money they have spent in recent years. The club recently posted losses of £28m for the 2021/22 financial year, which is £10m better off than the previous 12 months having worked hard to balance the books following the impact of the pandemic.
Wilkinson adds: "I'm sure, though, based on media reports they will be disappointed not to have done better despite, as their latest accounts show, they have been 'giving it a go'."
There was also a comment about the signings of Cornick and Naismith while referencing City being able to offer the latter a financial package that they couldn't compete with. It read: "We've had a few player exchanges between us over recent years.
"Joe Morrell, Freddie Hinds, Tyreeq Bakinson plus Chris Martin and Jay Dasilva, albeit indirectly of course and not forgetting a couple of recent players who've taken the move west. We were sorry to lose Harry Cornick and it'll be good to see him out there again tonight.
"We understand that it may be the case that Kal Naismith is injured, which is disappointing as it would have been good to welcome him back. I know some of you have noticed a bit of media comment recently about reasons for him leaving us.
"It's always gratifying to exceed people's expectations. Indeed, we have seen it all too many times over the last decade."
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