ANDY Todd has committed his long term future to Bolton Wanderers - behind his father's back!

Todd Snr played no part in the negotiations that secured Todd Jnr on a four-year contract but applauded the decision today when he said: "It's in the best interests of the football club to have players like him on long term contracts."

Young Todd rose to prominence in the Premiership last season with a string of outstanding defensive displays which earned him rave reviews and a double Player of the Year award.

He still had a year left on the contract he signed when he joined Wanderers from Middlesbrough for a bargain £250,000 in the summer of 1995 but club bosses have moved early to protect their interest in a player whose valuation has already multiplied ten-fold.

But this was one contract deal the manager was determined to play no part in - typical of the way he has handled the tricky father-son relationship from the start. He left the negotiations in the hands of his chief executive, Des McBain.

"I was never involved," Todd Snr confirmed. "I left all the negotiating to Des.

"I'm delighted that things were sorted out though. It's a recognition of Andy's outstanding performances last season and it's the right thing for the club.

"We didn't want to get into a situation where we could have lost him next year under the Bosman ruling.

"He didn't do himself any justice at all in his first two years but last season, playing in his right position, he was outstanding. He came through with flying colours."

One of England's most cultured central defenders himself, Todd knows he has an outstanding talent following in his illustrious footsteps. But he has shown his son no favours and actually joked about causing family turmoil when he didn't select him for the final Premiership fixture at Chelsea.

And he couldn't resist taking the hard taskmaster line today when he put a sting in the contract tale.

"Andy's set himself high standards and he knows I'll be demanding even higher standards next season," was the message from Todd the manager.

"He's made people sit up and take notice, now he's got to keep them interested."

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