If I was 20 and was offered a 4 year contract that meant i could buy myself, mum and siblings houses outright and effectively set them up for life in an industry where that scenario may be a once in a life time opportunity I would not think twice.
Good luck to the lad....gave some great times for us and was very much a popular part of the squad with great rapport with the fanbase.
There is no loyalty in football and we've just let Watson and others go without a second thought and there's never any fan hoo ha when we release players and effectively put them out of work, turn their and their families' lives upside down e.g. potentially having to move areas, schools etc. It's the game.
Correct, as the majority of Thierry's peer group are either playing semi-pro when you are struggling to get any type of contract or give up through injury or because they can't keep taking rejection. The lucky few are playing Premier football and they will be set up for life if not ripped off by unscrupulous 'financial advisers'.*
Rodders, having known one ex Academy player, (released by Fulham) go for trials at 13 different EFL clubs over a 3 year period and known as even 'A trialist' to his mates I can totally understand Small taking the 4 year contract at Preston. I'm still gutted that Nathan didn't think Small was worth being made an offer to keep him at CAFC but possibly it sounds like Small and his agent couldn't keep Preston and the concrete offer waiting too long and he was always leaving over the last couple of months.
The lad above who did the numerous trials was a left back is now at 23 a Journeyman footballer doing the part-time rounds in South east county leagues.
If I was 20 and was offered a 4 year contract that meant i could buy myself, mum and siblings houses outright and effectively set them up for life in an industry where that scenario may be a once in a life time opportunity I would not think twice.
Good luck to the lad....gave some great times for us and was very much a popular part of the squad with great rapport with the fanbase.
There is no loyalty in football and we've just let Watson and others go without a second thought and there's never any fan hoo ha when we release players and effectively put them out of work, turn their and their families' lives upside down e.g. potentially having to move areas, schools etc. It's the game.
Correct, as the majority of Thierry's peer group are either playing semi-pro when you are struggling to get any type of contract or give up through injury or because they can't keep taking rejection. The lucky few are playing Premier football and they will be set up for life if not ripped off by unscrupulous 'financial advisers'.*
Rodders, having known one ex Academy player, (released by Fulham) go for trials at 13 different EFL clubs over a 3 year period and known as even 'A trialist' to his mates I can totally understand Small taking the 4 year contract at Preston. I'm still gutted that Nathan didn't think Small was worth being made an offer to keep him at CAFC but possibly it sounds like Small and his agent couldn't keep Preston and the concrete offer waiting too long and he was always leaving over the last couple of months.
The lad above who did the numerous trials was a left back is now at 23 a Journeyman footballer doing the part-time rounds in South east county leagues.
* Advisors if formal.
Except he did - another offer had been made, discussions were had, there absolutely was no intention to just let him go without a qualm. Now without knowing the terms I don't know if the offer was a good one (but Preston was better) or a token lowball that would never have been accepted, but it definitely was made.
Comments
Correct, as the majority of Thierry's peer group are either playing semi-pro when you are struggling to get any type of contract or give up through injury or because they can't keep taking rejection.
The lucky few are playing Premier football and they will be set up for life if not ripped off by unscrupulous 'financial advisers'.*
Rodders, having known one ex Academy player, (released by Fulham) go for trials at 13 different EFL clubs over a 3 year period and known as even 'A trialist' to his mates I can totally understand Small taking the 4 year contract at Preston. I'm still gutted that Nathan didn't think Small was worth being made an offer to keep him at CAFC but possibly it sounds like Small and his agent couldn't keep Preston and the concrete offer waiting too long and he was always leaving over the last couple of months.
The lad above who did the numerous trials was a left back is now at 23 a Journeyman footballer doing the part-time rounds in South east county leagues.
* Advisors if formal.