Bradley Duke and end of an Era

[rob]

Having been at the club for the last nearly 4 years and winning youth team player of the year in season2005/06,Ian told Bradley tonight at training that he does not figure in his start of season plans,but thanked him for being loyal as most of last years reserve team seemed to have moved on.Bradley wanted to stay at the club,but obviously its not to be and along with Sam Clayton who will not be returning after tonights training,its looks like the era of Phil Dunne has well and truly ended.Apart from Jason Henry from last years reserves everybody else has either left or not been wanted.With many of the team going to Met Police(Mo Mann,Richard Blackwell,Luke Adams,Greg Andrews and Steve Douglas) to mention a few.Bradley will now concentrate on finding first team at another club although this may well be at a level below,But at 19 he feels hewants to play first team football and if it cant be at Sutton then it will have to be elseware,there is certainly no point in playing for Sutton reserves for another season and with the players training with the reserves at the moment well below the normal requirement of past Sutton reserve sides,they may well struggle to turn out a side to either win games or push into 1st team.I will also with regret not be returning to my midweek role on the gate for the youths home matches and will miss the nights with Dave and Lyall etc.I realise some of you staunt Sutton people on this chat page will be saying 'told you so' with regard to players progrssing to the 1st team from the reserves,but let me tell you,losing the likes of Steve Douglas,Richard Blackwell,Bradley Duke Sam Clayton and Luke Adams who all came through the youth system is Sutton's loss and somebody else's gain,But Ian is the manager and he will be governed by the resuilts in the coming season,we will wait and see.

[Millsy]

Best of luck Rob, to you and Brad, I'm sure things will work out and new opportunities will arise. You never know, some of the names mentioned may well be back at some stage and all the better for some experience elsewhere or even go on to bigger and better things, in any event, all the very best.

[os]

I don't think its a case of I/WE told you so, its really just a difference of opinion. I don't see anything wrong with releasing young players and I don't see it as negative either for the club or for them individually. I do genuinely believe there is a gap between 1st and reserve football which has to be filled in some way and playing 1st team football 1 or 2 levels below for these young players is just the next step for them. With a couple of seasons experience there is no reason why some could not go on to play at our level if not higher.

As for Sutton I don't think our 1st team has been strong enough for 3 or 4 season's now and trying to progress these youngsters into that setup was not really helping either party. As you say Haze will be judged on his results next season and he is the governor with what will be his team that might surprise a few. This is the most positive I have felt about a season for a good few

[Andy K]

I agree with os, I'm feeling positive too, especially as the fact that we haven't performed in the last few years, I feel the pressure is off us like never before at this level.

I for one will never think "told you so". Sometimes we do get reserves come through the ranks, and Jason Henry did indeed show glimpes of promise last season. With the addition of the conference cup, IH will have more opportunities to blood in new players (providing we play more than one match in that!).

All the best for the future to Bradley and Sam, and to you Rob. I will personally miss your insights into the reserves, which became a great line of information last year.

[bh]

Cheers Rob, I'm sure Bradley will soon find a club and get the first team football he deserves. I'm also sure that the club will miss you and your valuable support. I always enjoyed your contributions to this board, and when able to attend Youth and reserve matches a good beer and conversation.

Don't be a stranger, I for one would like to know where Bradley goes next, and reports into his progress would be appreciated.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who will miss you at the club.

Cheers mate, I'm sure you will be always welcome to pop in for a beer at the club.

[markf]

Unfortunately, this happens from time to time. Many an aspiring youth or reserve player has moved onto other clubs after the realisation that their first team opportunities would be limited. The issue here is that it is so many of them all at once!

Perhaps with Phil gone, these lads have no reason to continue their loyalty, especially the likes of Luke Adams, Sam Clayton & Steve Douglas who seemed to have been around for years. It is a chance for them to make their way in senior football & good luck to them.

I must admit to be a little concerned over such a mass exodus but that often occurs when there has been a change of management. I do think that the apparent loss of Richard Blackwell is a negative though, as he did do well when drafted in.

Good luck to them all though & at least they have some silverware to remember their time at GGL - in some cases, quite alot.

[taz]

Good luck to Bradley and the rest of the lads who've departed in finding senior football. And maybe see 'em again in the future. Who knows?

Cheers Rob, for all your contributions on here. Not least in helping keep us abreast with the goings on at Youth and Ressie level. I for one certainly appreciated it as I'm rarely able to spare the time to get down and watch those sides. And like BH says, don't be a stranger!

[The Editor]

Good riddance to the rubbish I say! Ha ha. Only kidding. I'll certainly miss the friendly faces, and hope that the lads find their feet with the Met Police or whoever they end up with. Someone like Bradley will do well, especially growing more and more and I suspect he'll be an even better prospect come this time next year - if not a more established regular. Let's just hope it's not them knocking us out of a cup...

Best of British and see you soon lads.

[Indiana Johns]

Unfortunately the PFA says about 400 of their 4000 members are released every year. This isn't the end of the world. Just look at Steve Sidwell, left Arsenal, dropped down a division to Reading and is now at Chelsea.

The gulf in class between first team and reserves is not necessarily between talent but competition. Rafa Benitez wants Premier league reserve teams to play in the Football League because the competition is apparently tougher. Our reserve teams over the years have been alot better than most but as such their opposition hasn't pushed them as much as needed in preparation for the first team.

I honestly expect to see some of those players released back at Sutton after some time and experience in a first team somewhere, much like Gaynor and Ide had on loan at Sutton. Get them used to the hopless referees we always seem to get.

[sallycat]

Hopless? What, no beer?

[sammy]

just to tell everyone i am not leaving and i am still a current sutton united player. sam c

[os]

Good to hear that Sam you certainly have the potential to make a 1st team place your own!

[Millsy]

sammy said:

just to tell everyone i am not leaving and i am still a current sutton united player. sam c

It's all become clear now, it was me asking you about Met Police today, sorry! Glad that you're still around and hope that you get an opportunity this season.

[Gareth]

Good luck in the future Bradley. Keep in touch Rob