 In August 2002, Purse "ended months of speculation" by signing a three-year deal (with an option for a fourth year).Having been courted by Arsenal, Charlton Athletic and Everton, he had previously been stripped of the club captaincy after twice rejecting Birmingham's offer of a £10,000 per week five-year contract.The protracted negotiations were put down to his ambitions for top-flight football, which were secured with victory in the 2002 play-off Final (Purse did not feature in the matchday squad).