Well that wasn’t quite what the account’s followers were expecting.
Crewe Alexandra fans were anticipating a lunchtime treat on Thursday afternoon, as the club’s official Twitter account teased “some major January Transfer news.”
👀🤝 | Afternoon #CreweAlex fans…
Some major January Transfer news coming up very shortly….
Guess Who?!? 🔎https://t.co/lGafD2Ghe7 👀 pic.twitter.com/kmuCDfuM7g
— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) January 18, 2018
Supporters’ minds went into overdrive, wondering what kind of coup the board had pulled off and which incredible addition was going to arrive at Gresty Road to guarantee the side’s safety in League Two.
13 minutes of giddy excitement followed but all hope was dashed in stunning style when the official announcement arrived.
The news was that one of the club’s best players, George Cooper, was leaving the club after a deal had been agreed with Peterborough United.
🤝 | DONE DEAL: George Cooper has joined @theposhofficial for an undisclosed fee…
All the best @georgecoopsx 👌⚽#CreweAlex #pufc
Full Info 👉 https://t.co/GFiOLtV58x pic.twitter.com/DEMKezx5EW
— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) January 18, 2018
Cooper has been a mainstay for the Railwaymen this season and is the leading assist-maker in the division thus far, having set up nine goals already in this campaign.
It wasn’t quite the announcement that fans were expecting and while it’s understandable for clubs to announce the departure of players, the decision to tease the news inspired exactly the kind of reaction you’d imagine.
Hahahahah why build up transfer news when it’s bad and may get us relegated now, look what happened when we sold coco mid season ⬇️⬇️ banter footballclub
— CreweAlex? (@CreweAlex1877) January 18, 2018
Why on earth would you build up the fact you are selling our best player like this? This club is a joke! #CreweAlex #Relegation
— Phil Roberts (@iamVilla) January 18, 2018
Poor. A struggling club teases already despondent fans into thinking there’s a new signing then gets out the bunting and champagne about selling their star man
— Andy Wiles (@wilesandy) January 18, 2018
So you’ve put out this build up to announce the departure of one of your best players, really?
— Daniel Auton (@DanAuton2590) January 18, 2018
Serious lack of judgement to state this when we desperately need to bring players in. Did you not think this was misleading the fans? We’d better see the funds from Coops sale to be reinvested into some decent signings.
— Iain Perry (@InTheShires) January 18, 2018
Why would you build it up in a positive manner and get the fan’s hopes up? It’s been a bad enough season as it is! #BackTheBoys More like #SackTheSocialTeam #Morons #CreweAlex
— Jamie Baker (@jaybaker1991) January 18, 2018
why would you build this up hahahahahaha
— BillysBoots (@Soccerreports23) January 18, 2018