Matt - an end to speculation

[DaveF]

Midfielder Matt Gray has joined Woking for a fee described by U's Chairman Bruce Elliott as "substantial". Gray came up through the youth system at Gander Green Lane and made his first team debut just a day before his 17th birthday, away to Farnborough in January 2001. "Matt has always had ambitions of turning professional", says Elliott, "and although Woking finished only a few places above the Conference relegation zone last year they are full-time and Matt feels this opportunity gives him a better chance of realising his ambition of League soccer. We have resisted interest in Matt in previous years but next summer he could walk away for nothing under the Bosman Ruling, so we felt it is in our best interests, as well as his, to accept this offer at this time. Woking were not the only club showing in interest. He is a player who wears his heart on his sleeve and always gives 100% effort. We thank him for some great memories and wish him well in the future."

[Nick the Greek/The Speshul One]

honsec said:

Midfielder Matt Gray has joined Woking for a fee described by U's Chairman Bruce Elliott as "substantial". Gray came up through the youth system at Gander Green Lane and made his first team debut just a day before his 17th birthday, away to Farnborough in January 2001. "Matt has always had ambitions of turning professional", says Elliott, "and although Woking finished only a few places above the Conference relegation zone last year they are full-time and Matt feels this opportunity gives him a better chance of realising his ambition of League soccer. We have resisted interest in Matt in previous years but next summer he could walk away for nothing under the Bosman Ruling, so we felt it is in our best interests, as well as his, to accept this offer at this time. Woking were not the only club showing in interest. He is a player who wears his heart on his sleeve and always gives 100% effort. We thank him for some great memories and wish him well in the future."

"soccer"


Good luck Matt, and well done to all those involved in getting us a "substantial" fee.

[Rax]

"Substantial" Is that a keg of real ale, three packets of nuts and a tin of paint for the lines?

How much do you reckon the amount is? Let the speculation begin!

[The Editor]

£1.4m spread over 15 years.

[Amber Aleman]

suttoneditor said:

£1.4m spread over 15 years.

15,000 years would be more like it.

Sorry to see one of our more talented players leave Sutton United. But Matt's done six and a half years' service in our first team, so has shown more loyalty to the club that nurtured him than certain other players I could mention. I don't begrudge him the opportunity to play at a higher level.

Best of luck, Matt! At least someone from Sutton will get back to Salisbury next season. ;D

[suttonview]

I am glad to hear that my "speculation" in an earlier thread was unfounded. It's just that so many times these days, purchasing clubs try to avoid paying anything to clubs that have developed players and deserve some reward for their work. I'm pleased for Matt and hope he takes this opportunity to develop as a full-timer.

Er, I don't suppose we managed to get a pre-season friendly with Woking as part of the deal?

[Del]

Sorry to see Matt go but glad that we gained a substantial fee. As has been said he always wore his heart on his sleeve.

[markf]

I'd love to know how substantial, substantial is.

Even so, all the best to Matt & thanks for sticking with the U's for so long in an era where footballing loyalty is not what it used to be.

One bit of advice, the Conference ref's love showing cards - so I'd test the water a bit gingerly if I were you!!

[taz]

Good luck to Matty at Woking. I thought maybe he'd missed his chance, but seems not!

Hope he does well.

[bh]

£1.4m over 15 years, more like £15 over 1.4 million years!! ;D

[ewellchris]

gutted but good luck to him

[simonb]

"Understood to be £10k" says the Surrey Ad, apparently.