Jody Morris 'jumped at chance' to join Bristol City
Jody Morris says the 'Derek McInnes factor' persuaded him to leave St Johnstone and sign for Bristol City.
Out of contract at McDiarmid Park, the former Chelsea midfielder has signed a one-year deal after moving to City on a free transfer.
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Jody Morris left battles for ball
He says he jumped at the chance to renew his working relationship with the man who revived his career by bringing him north of the border in 2008.
"I'm over the moon to have agreed this deal," said Morris. "After four-and-a-half years working with the gaffer at St Johnstone, I jumped at this chance.
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"When the gaffer signed me (from Millwall) in 2008 it was a tough time in my career, but St Johnstone is where I fell in love with football again.
"When the gaffer moved down to Bristol I kept an eye on Bristol City's results.
"The job he did last season, coming in at a difficult stage, was tremendous, especially to keep the team up comfortably in the end.
"It was a big task and now the manager is keen to build and improve next season.
"I know he is keen to strengthen the squad for the challenge ahead this term."
A European Cup Winners Cup and FA Cup winner with Chelsea, Morris is now 33, but insists he is still fit enough for the npower Championship.
He said: "I've played at Championship level before and higher, so I'm fully confident in my ability.
"I'm only 33 and I live my life a lot better than I did ten years ago, making me feel a lot better.
"Long-term, I do have coaching ambitions, but my sole focus moving to Bristol City is to play football. I feel I have a few years left to play yet.
"This is the right switch for my career, plus an opportunity to bring the family back down south."
McInnes is keen to recruit up to three new players before City report back for pre-season training next month and Morris is his first summer signing.
A creative player with an eye for a pass, Morris can operate in central midfield and will provide competition for Neil Kilkenny, Cole Skuse and Marvin Elliott.
City boss McInnes said: "Jody is someone I know well and someone I trust. I know about his dedication to performing, not only on a match-day, but also in training throughout the week.
"I feel it is important we bring in the right players and also the right types and Jody fits that bracket. He was a vital part of my team at St Johnstone and I'm looking forward to working with him again here at Bristol City. Jody has excellent experience as well as superb fitness levels and I know he is capable of performing well in the Championship on a regular basis."
Morris boasts a Premier League pedigree, having started his career at Chelsea, for whom he made 124 appearances. The Londoner went on to play for Leeds, Rotherham and Millwall before being snapped up by McInnes at St Johnstone in 2008.
He made more than 100 appearances for the Saints and helped them win the Scottish Division One title in 2009.
When McInnes left McDiarmid Park to take over at Bristol City last October, Morris stepped up to assist Saints caretaker-boss Alec Cleland before reverting to his playing role when Steve Lomas was appointed as manager.
Comments
by marksy1
Thursday, June 14 2012, 3:34PM
“by Red_Emerson
Where are the goals coming from?
Don't be surprise if Eddie Howe comes in for Pitman. He's got plenty of cash to spend and where else is he going to get a 20 goal a season striker for about 1 million?”
by Red_Emerson
Thursday, June 14 2012, 3:11PM
“It's fairly obvious, he is searching through the lists of free agents and free/low signings, for anyone who might be able to do a job, at Championship level.
Maybe one signing for around one mill, which is likely to be Keogh.
Where are the goals coming from again!”
by DaveinSA
Thursday, June 14 2012, 3:09PM
“We could do a lot worse than him and that's for sure. How about coming to South Africa for some players DM. The league here isn't all that, but SA has sent some marvellous players overseas. There are some GREAT players in this league who would relish the opportunity to come to the UK to play some "soccer".
Get to it DMac...”
by piledriver
Thursday, June 14 2012, 2:39PM
“@ CharlesBridge: He's been at ST Johnstone for four years and the average wage is between £800-£1,200pw so don't make me laugh with £8Kpw.
To others:Why not see the bloke first before you condemn him? We've paid plenty more in a fee and wages for far worse, quite often, so calm down.
Two months to go to the start of the season so let's hope the manager gets most of his business done in the next 4-6 weeks.”
by redcapred
Thursday, June 14 2012, 2:27PM
“@wqasting time...
Nope he doesnt have the wealth of a shiekh... but i bet hes one of the weathiest chairman outside of the prem...”
by Baboonsass
Thursday, June 14 2012, 1:48PM
“after the awful season the reds have had i can understand some of the moans. Morris was a liability talented but a loose canon. But MM is going to bring players to assure of continued champ' status, its nice to dream of playing in the prem but like its been said the money pot isn't going to spew endless amounts of cash for the players like lambert maynard etc give him a couple of seasons to see what success he brings you”
by Frankclack
Thursday, June 14 2012, 1:26PM
“First off, let's hope that this signing turns out to be an inspired move for all parties, even if it is miles away from being long term team building. If it does nothing else, it seems to confirm that DMc. is going to be restricted to papering over the cracks rather than strengthening the foundations of the team.
This will come as no surprise to those of us who have been ramming home the fact for some time that City are the poor relations of the Football League, and talk of Premiership football in Bristol, as it has always been, is but a pipe dream.
Perhaps now we will read less of the nonsense that sometimes appears in comments here about signing this or that headline player, and more about appreciating what we have got and enjoying the better performances on a match by match basis.
If City end up next season as a solid side comfortably in the top half of the table, that should be considered a huge step in the right direction.
if, along the way, we can knock two or three years off the average age of the team, so much the better.
Supporters with any sense always realised how difficult the next few years would be.
DMc. has a huge long term task on his hands if he is to make anything of City, bearing in mind where we are right now. The least that he should expect is to be given a fair crack of the whip from the supporters, and a more pragmatic understanding of his difficulties in attempting to build a team, when all he has to offer incoming players is peanuts and promises.
And we still have yet to find two mainstays of any successful team. A reliable strong central defender and someone with the knack of regularly scoring goals. No small ask for any manager with minimal resources at his disposal.
To help the club, all supporters should now come to terms with reality.
Never ditch your dreams, but temper them with practicality.”
by wastingtime
Thursday, June 14 2012, 1:16PM
“Some of those commenting on here need a check up from the neck up. This is Bristol City and not Manchester City. Steve Lansdown does not have the wealth of Sheikh Mansour. The guy has pumped £30m into the club in the last 3 years, how many of you would do the same?
Personally I have no idea what Jody Morris is like as a player nowadays. Roll on the new season when I can find out and make a considered judgement based on performances.”
by Kingswood_Lad
Thursday, June 14 2012, 1:14PM
“Anyone who seems to be smacking Scott Brown in the face gets a massive thumbs up from me. Despise that guy.”
by Red_Emerson
Thursday, June 14 2012, 12:54PM
“It is a real shame that the lack of budget, has been exposed early, by this signing.
I fear there will be 3 or 4 more journeyman, on free transfers joining him, and another season of struggle.
We will be desperate for loan signings again, to avoid relegation!!!!!!”