Ones that got away

Bottega Don

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2015
Messages
5,342
Reaction score
1,770
Points
113
Supports
Scunthorpe United
Which players have left your club potentially early on in their career or for very little who went on to be far better than they were for your clubs?

This isn't players that were fantastic players for your club and moved on to bigger and better things, it's players that your club let go for probably not being good enough and they turned out to be very good.
 

SkyBlueElephant

Active Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2015
Messages
674
Reaction score
100
Points
43
Supports
Coventry
Sturridge was poached from us at 16, so it wasn't that he wasn't good enough but its potentially one that got away.

We had Keegan on trial when he was kid and we turned him down.
 

Aaron-Bcfc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
828
Points
113
Location
Bristol
Supports
Bristol City
Bolasie. Derek McInnes thought it was too attacking to play Adomah and Bolasie at the same time.
 

TimeyWimey

Sustainable
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
1,938
Reaction score
605
Points
113
Location
Manchester
Supports
Crewe Alexandra
Can't think of anyone off the top of my head who got released and went on to have an amazing career. There are a fair few who got released and came back through the leagues to have a good career in L1 or L2 such as Mark Roberts, Gareth Evans, Adam Yates (and others) but that more tallies with the fact they were released when we were in the Championship or had ambitions (lmfao jk) to return to Champ. We also released Antoni Sarcevic but that was cos he is a twat.

There's probably some really obvious answer that isn't coming to me.
 
D

Dion'sHead

Guest
Dan Crowley at Arsenal, Daniel Sturridge, Che Adams at Sheffield United.

There's some more but I'll have to have more of a think.
 
D

Dion'sHead

Guest
Oh, try and beat these.

icon1.png

COVENTRY City tried to buy Man United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 1997, Sky Blue coach Ray Clarke has revealed....

COVENTRY City tried to buy Man United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 1997, Sky Blue coach Ray Clarke has revealed.
And in his former guise as the club's European scout, Clarke also tried to sign Thierry Henry, Mario Melchiot and Boudewijn Zenden.
Speaking on the www.ccfc.co.ukwebsite, Clarke said: "We tried to buy Van Nistelrooy four years ago.
"I watched him as a 20-year-old and recommended him to the club. Unfortunately we could not clinch the deal and now he has joined Manchester United for #24 million.
"I spotted Henry as a 20-year-old playing for a French second division club and I tracked him. Gordon Strachan went over to watch him, but we could not do the deal and he is now at Arsenal.
"Bear in mind we were watching all these players when they were youngsters and had not attracted the attention of the top clubs."
Zenden, Melchiot, Freddie Ljungberg and Erik Bakke were also targets that never bore fruit for City as Clarke scoured the whole of Europe searching for talent that, at the time, would befit the Premiership.
He was recalled to England in the summer and is now helping Roland Nilsson and Richard Money run team affairs since the departure of Strachan.
Clarke said: "I will do whatever I can to help the club. Everyone here must put their shoulders to the wheel to support Roland in any way they can."


And


Gordon Strachan has revealed Coventry City were once in the running to sign Italian legend Andrea Pirlo as a youngster.
In a tweet from the Strachan Football Foundation, the Scotland boss said: "When I was manager of Coventry I met up with Andrea Pirlo's agent to bring him to the club when he was a youth team striker"
Pirlo went on to become a stalwart of AC Milan side of the 2000s as a deep-lying playmaker before making the switch to Juventus in 2011.
He has made 101 appearances for his country and was one of the stand-out stars of Euro 2012, where he scored an audacious chipped penalty against England in a shoot-out.
 

Fedora Dale

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2015
Messages
1,648
Reaction score
515
Points
113
Supports
Rochdale
Geoff Thomas and John Pemberton.

Both played as youngsters for Dale. However, our youth policy at that time was non-existent so both moved to Crewe and eventually Div 1/ Premiership with Palace.
 

Shrimpurh

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
2,492
Reaction score
373
Points
83
Supports
Southend
Michael Kightly. Gary Hooper
 

GFCSludge

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
1,069
Reaction score
417
Points
83
Location
Corby
Supports
Gillingham
We told Peter Beardsley he'd never make it as a league player :ffs:
 

GFC4EVA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
1,057
Reaction score
302
Points
83
Supports
Gillingham
we also told Demba Ba he wasn't good enough
 

THE TERRACEMAN

Active Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Messages
729
Reaction score
201
Points
43
Location
Burton on Trent
Supports
BURTON ALBION
Jamie Vardy, when he was at Halifax, we had agreed a fee and a contract but then manager Paul Peschisolido got cold feet about the deal and Vardy signed for Fleetwood Town. The source of this info ? Ben Robinson Burton Albion chairman.
 

Jockney

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
2,969
Reaction score
1,552
Points
113
Supports
Fred Onyedinma
Let Matt Jarvis go as a 17-year-old. He joined Gillingham and then went on to play in the Premier League.

Lewis Grabban was mostly toss for us and hardly set the world alight for Brentford either but is now technically a Premier League player.

There are almost certainly others. Can't remember anymore right now, though.
 

TimeyWimey

Sustainable
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
1,938
Reaction score
605
Points
113
Location
Manchester
Supports
Crewe Alexandra
Jamie Vardy, when he was at Halifax, we had agreed a fee and a contract but then manager Paul Peschisolido got cold feet about the deal and Vardy signed for Fleetwood Town. The source of this info ? Ben Robinson Burton Albion chairman.

He's one we had on trial but turned him down. Price you pay for employing Gudjon Thordarson.

Also, not one we missed out on but there is a classic quote along these terms from Dario when we were looking for a new keeper... "They say Shrewsbury want £1m for their keeper Hart, but I wouldn't give anything for him". Mind you, it is from a manager who would probably abolish goalkeepers if he could.
 

Cheese & Biscuits

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2015
Messages
3,111
Reaction score
2,227
Points
113
Location
Yarkshire
Supports
Daggers
Harlee Dean for us. Came through our youth team, made a couple of sub appearances and now a regular in The Championship.
 

Craig

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
4,925
Reaction score
3,593
Points
113
Location
Yorkshire
Supports
Danny Rose
Jon Parkin came through our youth system and played a dozen games before moving on and being a pretty consistent goalscorer throughout his career. Geoff Horsfield had a trial as a youngster but was told he wasn't good enough. Similar story to Parkin. Demba Ba was told he wasn't good enough a few years before signing for Newcastle. David Speedie was sold to Darlington and went on to have a successful career.
 

DaveOAFC

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
90
Reaction score
21
Points
8
Location
Shaw
Supports
Oldham Athletic
Marc Tierney left for nothing to Colchester played in the prem for Norwich.
Andy Hughes had a decent career after leaving us for Reading and Leeds.

We had Sami Hypia on trial, chairman wouldn't splash out 40k on him. Tips up at Liverpool a few years later and was class for them.

Sure there's more.
 

TheWednesday

Active Member
Joined
May 4, 2015
Messages
303
Reaction score
30
Points
28
Location
Sheffield
Supports
Sheffield Wednesday
Jamie Vardy, Grant Holt, just a couple off my head. We had a player in the 90's who we sold to Juventus or someone for a pittance who then went onto be sold for about £13M, can't remember his name was a bit before my time.
 

blademan89

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
9,237
Reaction score
2,507
Points
113
Supports
sheffield united
Oh, try and beat these.

icon1.png

COVENTRY City tried to buy Man United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 1997, Sky Blue coach Ray Clarke has revealed....

COVENTRY City tried to buy Man United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 1997, Sky Blue coach Ray Clarke has revealed.
And in his former guise as the club's European scout, Clarke also tried to sign Thierry Henry, Mario Melchiot and Boudewijn Zenden.
Speaking on the www.ccfc.co.ukwebsite, Clarke said: "We tried to buy Van Nistelrooy four years ago.
"I watched him as a 20-year-old and recommended him to the club. Unfortunately we could not clinch the deal and now he has joined Manchester United for #24 million.
"I spotted Henry as a 20-year-old playing for a French second division club and I tracked him. Gordon Strachan went over to watch him, but we could not do the deal and he is now at Arsenal.
"Bear in mind we were watching all these players when they were youngsters and had not attracted the attention of the top clubs."
Zenden, Melchiot, Freddie Ljungberg and Erik Bakke were also targets that never bore fruit for City as Clarke scoured the whole of Europe searching for talent that, at the time, would befit the Premiership.
He was recalled to England in the summer and is now helping Roland Nilsson and Richard Money run team affairs since the departure of Strachan.
Clarke said: "I will do whatever I can to help the club. Everyone here must put their shoulders to the wheel to support Roland in any way they can."


And


Gordon Strachan has revealed Coventry City were once in the running to sign Italian legend Andrea Pirlo as a youngster.
In a tweet from the Strachan Football Foundation, the Scotland boss said: "When I was manager of Coventry I met up with Andrea Pirlo's agent to bring him to the club when he was a youth team striker"
Pirlo went on to become a stalwart of AC Milan side of the 2000s as a deep-lying playmaker before making the switch to Juventus in 2011.
He has made 101 appearances for his country and was one of the stand-out stars of Euro 2012, where he scored an audacious chipped penalty against England in a shoot-out.

They would of all signed for bristol city
 

Jamo

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Joined
Feb 13, 2015
Messages
1,306
Reaction score
634
Points
113
Supports
Barnsley
Jon Parkin came through our youth system and played a dozen games before moving on and being a pretty consistent goalscorer throughout his career. Geoff Horsfield had a trial as a youngster but was told he wasn't good enough. Similar story to Parkin. Demba Ba was told he wasn't good enough a few years before signing for Newcastle. David Speedie was sold to Darlington and went on to have a successful career.
Add David Hirst to that list, Wednesday legend, and Jordan Rhodes who left our academy aged 15. John Stones as well who looks likely to be an England regular.
 

Aaron-Bcfc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
2,070
Reaction score
828
Points
113
Location
Bristol
Supports
Bristol City
Richard Keogh could be another from us. Wasn't really rated here but has gone on to be one of the better centre backs in the Championship.

Our youth coaches didn't think Rolando Aaron's was good enough. Broke into Newcastles side this season
 

Posh Hammer

Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
1,067
Reaction score
402
Points
83
Location
Earth
Supports
Nobody
Russell Martin was sold for a couple of hundred thousand and was seen by many as not being good enough. Now captain at Norwich.

Also, I don't think anybody expected Jimmy Bullard to go on to have the career he did at the top level. He was complete pony when he joined.
 

blademan89

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
9,237
Reaction score
2,507
Points
113
Supports
sheffield united
Nobody will ever top Sheff Utd on this thread so I won't even bother trying.

Correct we win this one hands down no need to mention his name
 

Son of Cod

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
9,917
Reaction score
6,967
Points
113
Location
Faversham
Supports
Grimsby Town
Neil Woods released Cameron Jerome from our youth squad because he was a pain in arse to manage.
Jamie Vardy, Grant Holt, just a couple off my head. We had a player in the 90's who we sold to Juventus or someone for a pittance who then went onto be sold for about £13M, can't remember his name was a bit before my time.
Kovacevic or whatever his name was? Played for Lazio and Real Sociedad too. I remember thinking he was alright at Wednesday, but his transfer got labelled a disaster if I remember rightly?
 

blade1889

sir
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Messages
3,568
Reaction score
1,225
Points
113
Supports
Sheffield United
Twitter
@blade1889
Oh, try and beat these.

icon1.png

COVENTRY City tried to buy Man United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 1997, Sky Blue coach Ray Clarke has revealed....

COVENTRY City tried to buy Man United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 1997, Sky Blue coach Ray Clarke has revealed.
And in his former guise as the club's European scout, Clarke also tried to sign Thierry Henry, Mario Melchiot and Boudewijn Zenden.
Speaking on the www.ccfc.co.ukwebsite, Clarke said: "We tried to buy Van Nistelrooy four years ago.
"I watched him as a 20-year-old and recommended him to the club. Unfortunately we could not clinch the deal and now he has joined Manchester United for #24 million.
"I spotted Henry as a 20-year-old playing for a French second division club and I tracked him. Gordon Strachan went over to watch him, but we could not do the deal and he is now at Arsenal.
"Bear in mind we were watching all these players when they were youngsters and had not attracted the attention of the top clubs."
Zenden, Melchiot, Freddie Ljungberg and Erik Bakke were also targets that never bore fruit for City as Clarke scoured the whole of Europe searching for talent that, at the time, would befit the Premiership.
He was recalled to England in the summer and is now helping Roland Nilsson and Richard Money run team affairs since the departure of Strachan.
Clarke said: "I will do whatever I can to help the club. Everyone here must put their shoulders to the wheel to support Roland in any way they can."


And


Gordon Strachan has revealed Coventry City were once in the running to sign Italian legend Andrea Pirlo as a youngster.
In a tweet from the Strachan Football Foundation, the Scotland boss said: "When I was manager of Coventry I met up with Andrea Pirlo's agent to bring him to the club when he was a youth team striker"
Pirlo went on to become a stalwart of AC Milan side of the 2000s as a deep-lying playmaker before making the switch to Juventus in 2011.
He has made 101 appearances for his country and was one of the stand-out stars of Euro 2012, where he scored an audacious chipped penalty against England in a shoot-out.
Nobody will ever top Sheff Utd on this thread so I won't even bother trying.
Correct we win this one hands down no need to mention his name


Feel like somebody needs to tell Dion's Head.

As well as the obvious we also turned down RDM as manager (according to our chairman) before we appointed Wilson as he spent too much time on the golf course. That season RDM won the Champions League.

In terms of actually releasing good players I cant think of any though.
 
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
4,407
Reaction score
1,778
Points
113
Location
Buckhurst Hill
Supports
Leyton Orient
Nicky Shorey came through our youth system, made a few appearances but couldn't displace Matt Lockwood. Went on to have a great career noticeably for Reading and was capped for England.

Aaron McLean was deemed not good enough and dropped down to Aldershot and Grays in non league...

Gary (Taylor-)Fletcher was signed for a fee, never cut it at Orient, moved to Lincoln on a free...
 

Cashis

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
792
Reaction score
584
Points
93
Supports
Chesterfield
Finnish girl from when I went to Bulgaria.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
16,570
Messages
1,225,983
Members
8,513
Latest member
you dont know

SITE SPONSORS

W88 W88 trang chu KUBET Thailand
Fun88 12Bet Get top UK casino bonuses for British players in casinos not on GamStop
The best ₤1 minimum deposit casinos UK not on GamStop Find the best new no deposit casino get bonus and play legendary slots Best UK online casinos list 2022
No-Verification.Casino Casinos that accept PayPal Top online casinos
sure.bet miglioriadm.net: siti scommesse non aams
Need help with your academic papers? Customwritings offers high-quality professionals to write essays that deserve an A!
Top