Mick Harford

TJJ

3-0

Collo 2-0

1-0

Collins

On topic of recruitment, and I think it had a massive impact on where we have ended up, never forget the role of Wasserman Media Group in all of this, Bent, Shackell, Butterfield, Brad Johnson, Blackman, Camara were all WMG clients at time of signing.

The same WMG that Sam Rush used to work for, any sensible person looked at the fees and thought that it seems like we overpaid.

TJJ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NML!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30 secs e to B4 time for those of us not there

Mental fortitude in the lad, head doesn't go down and, as you say, atones for a poor pass.

New England kit is R/W/B, no info on shorts though, hope they are navy. I'd like a Red/White/Red away shirt, but as the current away is that then I can't see them keeping the same colour scheme 2 cycles running.

2 hours ago, ariotofmyown said:

Not sure how true it is, but you often hear that a large % of homeless people are ex-military.

............

Really interesting posts from ex-military people on here too, thanks for your thoughts.

This is true, to go from having literally everything done for you,/deducted from pay to having to your own stuff out can be a culture shock, sounds weird but that's true.

Also lots of ex Service Personnel at AA, NA and suffer with substance abuse.

The RBL/Poppy Appeal are fantastic and offer all kinds of services from counselling, Care Homes, Training, Networking, physical help, meetings/activities they are even doing cost of living grants.

And if you've drawn one days pay from the Military, then you are eligible for help/support.

It really is a truly fantastic charity.

So so sad to hear this, others have said more eloquently than me about how his enthusiasm and never faltering belief in the Rams shone through. Condolences to his family and friends, and also what a superb human being he was with his support of others in their times of need.

RIP Daniel

xx

Be more B4

On 11/11/2023 at 11:05, DiggerB said:

As an fellow veteran you reflect my feelings perfectly.

Another Army chap here, weird how none of us (think it's 5 so far) wish to see The Poppy forced on anyone, it's a personal choice.

26 minutes ago, Brailsford Ram said:

In the final game of the 1990-91 season we faced Luton at the BBG. We were bottom and already relegated. Luton and Sunderland, both former clubs of Mick Harford, were vying with Man City on the final day to stay up. Luton opened the scoring when Mick crashed a bullet header past a gobsmacked Peter Shilton for an own goal. The Hatters won 2-0 and stayed up with Man City, sending Sunderland down with us. We all questioned afterwards if Mick had purposely come to the rescue of his old club. Many dismissed the thought because a professional footballer would never do that surely? When he retired as a player, Mick admitted that he had done just that to help Luton avoid the drop.

I'll add to this, when I was 14/15/16 and playing for Chesterfield the GK coach, Eric Steele, would often take me to train with the first team keepers at clubs that he trained keepers at like Wolves/Oxford/Barnsley during school holidays. I've sat in the first team dressing room at Oxford once, next to John Durnin, who was quite openly talking about how many bookings he needed to get Christmas off.

11 minutes ago, ExiledinDerby said:

Sunderland maintained Cat 1 throughout their stay in this division and until recently were the best and most successful academy in the NE as well as winning national competitions during that time.

Also got one of the highest rated youngsters in the country in Chris Rigg.

Just a shame that the top talents go from the likes of us, Sunderland, and Reading (who have a few ex players in age groups) to the bigger teams for what is essentially peanuts in the big scheme of things.

Why I reckon a % of future transfers, say 10% a year, go to clubs that have developed players post 12/13, don't care if it means that player A moving from say, Man Utd to Chelsea costs £40m, if he'd been at Derby for 2 seasons before going to Man Utd then the developing club should get £8m of that as standard.

EPPP was a disaster for Football League clubs and the sell to survive mentality.

Not to mention being an Eric Steele lad, I want EVERY keeper to do well at this club, as well because Ken Oxford was my first ever coach

7 minutes ago, Bald Eagle's Barmy Army said:

Without the right coaching and set up, you can only do so much on your own. 

Kellyman was obviously very good but surely not AVFC first team ready within 18 months - that has to be who he's had around him in that time. 

Fair play to the lad - gut wrenching he isn't doing this with Derby but we will not be able to offer European football any time soon. 

Exactly, I'm a Derby fan, love Derby and my old man was mates with the 70's lot, Rodger even had me playing for the Ex-Rams Allstars, but as a kid you have to go for the highest level available as far as I am concerned.

Beating Derby 1-0 at U16 was one of my fave memories, sorry Rams, but you look after your career, ability to play and money, who you support is very very down the list.

I know we hate it as Rams fans, but it's true.

I love the talk from @Brailsford Ram and @ExiledinDerby from two very very good keepers, I have a mate who was at Everton and now at Farnborough , Pat Nash, I'm almost certain that both of our keepers could perform really well at NL leve like he isl, I know the difference from an 18 year old challenging you to a man doing the same, in fact it's why I was let go from Chesterfield as they didn't know how well I'd do against Dion Dublin in the Central League. *spoiler I'd have been wrecked*

Yeah good point, @Bald Eagle's Barmy Army  at age of 15 I was playing for Derby (school of Excellence back then!) , then went to Chesterfield (for games, as Derby GK was far better), then to Norwich (who had just finished 3rd in fledging PL) and basically I was not good enough, but highly rated with England trials.

Highest I played at senior was Northern Counties East, so being good at 15 is not the same as being a world beater.

Which is why I like hearing about Harry E and Thompo doing well, when I was at the club we had another great England U15 keeper called Jon Thompson, he was eventually deemed too small and joined the Navy, I know this as I joined the Army and met him a few years after!

Eric, still rates me though 😀

Was in last seasons team of the year, along with McGoldrick, wouldn't say no myself but not devastated if he doesn't come

Bloody hell 

Waggy again

Personally I think Brighton are an excellent example of how to recruit and run a football club, obviously I have no idea of wages but they get youngsters with potential in and develop/loan them out either for their first team or for a profit. Read articles with their scouts about the recruitment of Ferguson and Moran, two Irish youngsters and their recruitment and development, they also have a plan for development which involves loaning out as part of a players development, not to mention at first team level they sell high and have succession planning for every role at the club in place.

Latest thing they are doing is signing young English keepers, as the Chairman/club have decided that that is where the next big value in the market is, Rio Ferdinands lad is there, they have 2 age group England keepers and one Canadian (previously English, but switched) 

Taking my Derby glasses off for a second if I was a Derby player playing in the 3rd division on a restricted contract and Brighton wanted me, then I'd be off both financially and professionally, if it doesn't work at Brighton then a sale to the Champ looks a good bet, would you risk that against us rising up the leagues at the moment (no slight on where we are, it is what it is) 

A sale with loan back sounds great in my view, especially if as Eric Steele says there are possibly add ons, and may help us get more quality (midfield) in the side.

I'd love Cash to stay, but a deal away may suit everyone really.

All my opinion of course.

Such a top bloke

Ahh, so not a bad amount then.

Cheers @Brailsford Ram

Mickleover are a great club for loans, similar to Belper with Burton.

If I was a non league local club I'd get a regular partnership with local league teams and agree for loans for the GK's on a seasaon by season basis, as a GK coach and ex semi-pro keeper myself who played semi-pro from 16 I recognise the absolute importance of playing senior football in the development of a keeper, the difference from playing against pro-clubs U16's to getting a big sod from Stavely MW crashing into you was an eye opener, plus my theory is that technically GK's are ALL very similar, its the psychological make up and ability to react to adverse situations that makes a goalkeeper elite, you will only get that in a competitive environment. Obv depending on locality I may also have the keeper back one or two days a week to work with the parent clubs GK coaches.

Anyway, hoping someone can help in here, does anyone know what Palace offered/gave for Ebiowei?

Oh dear