Leavings this Summer

davidcurrieclass · Post by **davidcurrieclass** » Mon May 04, 2015 5:17 pm

Always happens that a few players leave off their own accord or are moved on at the end of a season. Sad to see any go but obviously if we are making a few new signings who do we reckon will leave to make room in the squad? We have Purewal, Dowson, Armstrong, Hatch and Cartman vying for the front two. I wouldnt be surprised if at least Hatch goes. Tho Dowson isnt prolific he has a brilliant work rate and is great for the squad

Post by **D_F_C** » Mon May 04, 2015 7:03 pm

I would expect the following to be decided:

Mota - I don't think he's done enough and we may need the room in a small squad
Bell - I didn't expect him to be here this year, but have heard the same rumours as most that he had already decided to retire, but there are other rumours about him leaving to go to another club
Hatch - might be 5th choice when Purewal comes back. No one can doubt his impact but he may want game-time and we might want to same a potential high wage
Mitchell - will he get snapped up by someone
Weldon - someone mentioned he is going abroad

Would think that the rest will remain

quakerste · Post by **quakerste** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:26 pm

White - is he going to carry on playing or is he going to retire?

Beano · Post by **Beano** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:27 pm

Why would White retire?!

He is one of the best defenders in the league!

Bogratsteve · Post by **Bogratsteve** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:28 pm

quakerste wrote:White - is he going to carry on playing or is he going to retire?

He has said if MG still wants him he will carry on if I recall

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super_les_mcjannet · Post by **super_les_mcjannet** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:31 pm

Bogratsteve wrote:
quakerste wrote:White - is he going to carry on playing or is he going to retire?
He has said if MG still wants him he will carry on if I recall

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Yep, out of contract I believe.

I think he has earned another year contract.

quakersam · Post by **quakersam** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:37 pm

Weldon has signed with Minnesota United based in Minneapolis St Paul

Post by **Breedon** » Mon May 04, 2015 9:28 pm

I'm hoping the theme of non attacking/second striker type central midfielders not getting noticed much keeps up and Portas has slipped under the radar. He could easily play higher up.

Quaker Mod · Post by **Quaker Mod** » Mon May 04, 2015 9:35 pm

It's imperative that we aim for promotion in 2015-16 season. The longer we languish the more difficult it'll be to get out of the league. Therefore, the end of season gap analysis leads me to the following.
1) We have the right manager and staff in place. I'd expect this to be a universal opinion?
2) We need two new full-backs, specialised in the RB/ LB positions respectively.
3) White; has to be a squad player next season. Worth retaining due to experience but pace and discipline whilst stepping up is a concern. We should target Gatehead's James Curtis.
4) Aquire a ball playing midfielder in the mould of Bamber Bridge's Waddicor, this will bring out the best in Nathan.
5) The prospect of pairing Cartman and Purewal is mouth watering. You will struggle to find a better centre forward pairing in the league.
6) Dowson to push the pair and regrettably letting Hatch move on to make space for another forward. Either Chris Winn or James Fairley from Washington would be a decent recruit for that fourth forward berth.
7) The demographics of the league mean that the NW clique will not be so strong next time around.
8) We have to give the players the best opportunity to succeed when playing teams of a distance away by putting them up in hotels the night before if funds can be raised. (Reference to another post)
9) Despite stepping up we will be everyone's "cup final"; ex-league and biggest gates in the league.

lo36789 · Post by **lo36789** » Mon May 04, 2015 9:39 pm

The only reason for White to go is a perception that he may get to old. He certainly didn't show it this season but only he will know how he feels (not just during every game but for the days after it).

A Brown/Hunter partnership should, and I expect will be our first choice next season, unless Martin finds it easier to bring in a CB than a RB.

I think Mitchell might be too old unless he has a season like Thompson last season. Then people might sit up and take interest, there is a whole new load of academy players that have just been released this summer that he is now up against. Some of those could have 2 years on Mitchell. I suspect he will be with us next year.

Interested to know why you think we need a new LB. For me Ian Watson was far and away the best LB in the division last season. We then have cover in the form of Galbraith and Scott that seems absolutely sufficient.

TinShedDarloFan · Post by **TinShedDarloFan** » Mon May 04, 2015 9:52 pm

I don't see us having a problem at left back, Ian Watson was most definitely the best left back in the league this season, Galbraith is more than capable of filling in at left back also. For me the priority is a right back and a central midfielder to play alongside Portas, if Mitchell gets snapped up then also a winger. Upfront were looking very strong, we have Purewal to come back although were looking very strong with Armstrong and Cartman.

Robbie Painter · Post by **Robbie Painter** » Mon May 04, 2015 9:58 pm

Quaker Mod wrote:It's imperative that we aim for promotion in 2015-16 season. The longer we languish the more difficult it'll be to get out of the league. Therefore, the end of season gap analysis leads me to the following.
1) We have the right manager and staff in place. I'd expect this to be a universal opinion?
2) We need two new full-backs, specialised in the RB/ LB positions respectively.
3) White; has to be a squad player next season. Worth retaining due to experience but pace and discipline whilst stepping up is a concern. We should target Gatehead's James Curtis.
4) Aquire a ball playing midfielder in the mould of Bamber Bridge's Waddicor, this will bring out the best in Nathan.
5) The prospect of pairing Cartman and Purewal is mouth watering. You will struggle to find a better centre forward pairing in the league.
6) Dowson to push the pair and regrettably letting Hatch move on to make space for another forward. Either Chris Winn or James Fairley from Washington would be a decent recruit for that fourth forward berth.
7) The demographics of the league mean that the NW clique will not be so strong next time around.
8) We have to give the players the best opportunity to succeed when playing teams of a distance away by putting them up in hotels the night before if funds can be raised. (Reference to another post)
9) Despite stepping up we will be everyone's "cup final"; ex-league and biggest gates in the league.

2) We have Watson/Galbraith at LB, both excellent. New RB / CB to compliment Brown/Hunter/White.

6) What about Armstrong? Our best striker taken over the whole season.

8) Funds & players time off make this impractical. Funds raised need to go towards ground improvements.

Not sure why some people think we'll have a greater budget next season - given the 500 club funding the ground improvements then I think it is likely we will have less season ticket sales going towards the budget next season. Then add in its not certain when we will be playing back in Darlo (start of season seems a very optimistic target to me), with subsequent increase in crowds, then forecasting exactly what budget we can give MG will be very difficult for the board. It could actually be lower in a worse case scenario.

Post by **Breedon** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:03 pm

Not sure I agree with flapping and overhauling the squad in a desperate bid to go straight up. We've got the two most important initial promotions out of the way. We can afford to establish ourselves at the NPL and build a strong side for when we eventually do look to move into the Conf North, which is likely the level we'll stick at for a while. To me a promotion push next season would be a bonus. More likely I'd expect a positive season next season and to maybe list promotion as a realistic target the season after. I'd like to see us sign a natural right back and another option at centre mid maybe, I like Scott but have a hunch he may be one of the few first teamers that could struggle a bit with the step up next season. Age is just a number, the White/Hunter central defense partnership was awesome all season. No reason we should be looking at that as something that needs changing without any evidence of that on the pitch, and if it does need changing, Brown to me is a much better centre back than right back. Up top we're spoiled for choice. Armstrong, Purewal and Cartman are all money in the bank for goals (assuming Amar is roughly the same player after that bad injury), and Dowson is a tailor made game changing substitute. As much as I wish we could have our cake and eat it, I expect Hatch will move on.

Darlogramps · Post by **Darlogramps** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:09 pm

Quaker Mod wrote:It's imperative that we aim for promotion in 2015-16 season. The longer we languish the more difficult it'll be to get out of the league. Therefore, the end of season gap analysis leads me to the following.
1) We have the right manager and staff in place. I'd expect this to be a universal opinion?
2) We need two new full-backs, specialised in the RB/ LB positions respectively.
3) White; has to be a squad player next season. Worth retaining due to experience but pace and discipline whilst stepping up is a concern. We should target Gatehead's James Curtis.
4) Aquire a ball playing midfielder in the mould of Bamber Bridge's Waddicor, this will bring out the best in Nathan.
5) The prospect of pairing Cartman and Purewal is mouth watering. You will struggle to find a better centre forward pairing in the league.
6) Dowson to push the pair and regrettably letting Hatch move on to make space for another forward. Either Chris Winn or James Fairley from Washington would be a decent recruit for that fourth forward berth.
7) The demographics of the league mean that the NW clique will not be so strong next time around.
8) We have to give the players the best opportunity to succeed when playing teams of a distance away by putting them up in hotels the night before if funds can be raised. (Reference to another post)
9) Despite stepping up we will be everyone's "cup final"; ex-league and biggest gates in the league.

There is no chance we would get James Curtis. None whatsoever. Targetting him would be a total waste of time.

Nor do we need a new left back at this stage.

And why have you bizarrely ignored the club's top-scorer in Armstrong? That's complete idiocy.

Bogratsteve · Post by **Bogratsteve** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:11 pm

I doubt there is a fitter 40 year old playing football than White, no feasible reason to get rid of him, how many reds has he had?

Watson is terrific and no need for another LB

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TFDM · Post by **TFDM** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:14 pm

Agree with Breedon. An immediate promotion for me isn't the be all and end all. We can take a bit of time now and develop as a club, both on and off the pitch. More important to me is when we go up to conference North (and we will at some point in the future) that we stay up and are ready for the jump up as a club.

White can easily do another season. I'll be majorly disappointed if he's not playing again next season.

Quaker Mod · Post by **Quaker Mod** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:31 pm

To clear up Armstrong/ Watson
Armstrong; I believe others are looking at him. So based this on him being taken.
Watson, I believe he may well find next season a lot more difficult than last. If so, we don't have anyone else in the squad up to it to be the number 1 LB. RB is the biggest concern. A 2 of Brown, Hunter and another would be a good fit at CB. I believe Curtis would buy into our vision. We're a much bigger club and time is on his side.

quakersam · Post by **quakersam** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:33 pm

Quaker Mod wrote:To clear up Armstrong/ Watson
Armstrong; I believe others are looking at him. So based this on him being taken.
Watson, I believe he may well find next season a lot more difficult than last. If so, we don't have anyone else in the squad up to it to be the number 1 LB. RB is the biggest concern. A 2 of Brown, Hunter and another would be a good fit at CB. I believe Curtis would buy into our vision. We're a much bigger club and time is on his side.

And you base that on what exactly. Tell me about all the Step 3 games you must watch. You mean the same LB we signed from Blyth Spartans, who are actually in the EvoPrem. For fuck sake

Darlogramps · Post by **Darlogramps** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:39 pm

Quaker Mod wrote: I believe Curtis would buy into our vision. We're a much bigger club and time is on his side.

You're deluded if you think he'd leave Gateshead to drop 2 divisions.

I promise you, Curtis will not come to us. He's one of the few players Gateshead want to keep.

And even if he did leave Gateshead he would stay at Conference/Conference North level.

KCChiefs · Post by **KCChiefs** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:43 pm

Can't see Armstrong going anywhere and is proven in the league we've gone up into - 1 in 2 for Whitby ? Him and Cartman to start up top for me.
Need 2 FB's 1 possibly 2 CM's and a winger if Mitchell goes.

Quaker Mod · Post by **Quaker Mod** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:50 pm

Wrexham supposed to be looking at Armstrong.

quakersam · Post by **quakersam** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:54 pm

Wrexham have just changed manager so I can't see that

Quaker Mod · Post by **Quaker Mod** » Mon May 04, 2015 11:03 pm

It's the new manager that rates him

TFDM · Post by **TFDM** » Mon May 04, 2015 11:55 pm

Then Wrexham will have to pay us a decent sum of money and they'll have to put Armstrong on a long, decent contract to make it worth his while to quit his job, go full time and move to a different part of the country. Can't see that happening.

super_les_mcjannet · Post by **super_les_mcjannet** » Tue May 05, 2015 6:00 am

All for a bit of speculation but do people not even think things through.

Armstrong left Gateshead because he didn't want to be a full time footballer, the club went full time so he dropped down. This was when he was younger and he is now knocking on 30 odd. Why would he quit his job to give something a go that he previously rejected.

lo36789 · Post by **lo36789** » Tue May 05, 2015 6:40 am

Chances of Armstrong quitting a secure job as a teacher at the age of 30 to move to Wales does seem very unlikely.

He has been top scorer for Whitby in the 2 years before he joined us, in fact he scored more goals in a higher division that he did for us last season - yet now a professional club are wanting to sign him.

A pro club would need to offer him a substantial pay rise, a decent contract length, plus pay for his move. Reality is most conference clubs have players on 1 year deals due to the frail nature of their finances and to provide flexibility to ship players out if better things come along.

Beano · Post by **Beano** » Tue May 05, 2015 7:10 am

Armstrong turned down a pro deal when at Gateshead in order to retain the long term security of his teaching career.

It would have to be seriously crazy money for all involved - multiple thousands a week.

MikeinBlack2 · Post by **MikeinBlack2** » Tue May 05, 2015 7:20 am

As always the main factor in our retained list (for want of a better word) will be money. I doubt we will have a huge wage budget next season with every spare penny going into the ground, which is a fair decision. I think that everyone on a contract which continues into next season (Thommo for example was given a five year deal wasn't he?) will stay as a necessity. Others who are cutting the mustard and are able to continue (some may decide that the extra travelling that may be involved in midweek might be too much for work commitments etc) may be offered one-year (or one season) contracts. Other, experienced war horses like White for example, may be offered short or pay as you play or rolling contracts. Any transferred players like Hatch, well if he was listed for discipline reasons then that could be reversed if not we may try to sell or release. I do see our players being a bit dissapointed if they are expecting a significant pay rise though as season ticket money probably will be less than last season due to the 500 Club etc funds going into the ground build. I expect that we will see players come and go, maybe on loan, as the season progresses and money becomes available due to cup money or increased gates once we play in Darlo. On the plus side we do have some very good youngsters coming through....kerching! lol.

lo36789 · Post by **lo36789** » Tue May 05, 2015 7:36 am

Budget wise...

Negatives
>We have 300 500club members who's money won't be in the playing budget.

Positives
> A small number of those might not be lost income, those who attend games will likely still put in in other way and exiles will just see it as another way to support the club.
> We have 2 extra games of on the gate income this season
> The move home will save us £25k per annum of rent from Bishop Auckland
> 'On the day' revenues will be higher as more likely people will come early/stick around afterwards. Particularly if the fundraising group put things on after the games.
> Regular debt repayments have fallen (I think).

This is before the expected increase in attendances from a return home. I don't expect that players will be due a pay rise from promotion. The likes of Portas and Armstrong will be getting more than they were at Whitby before they dropped a division.

If the players want to go elsewhere they will likely be worse off - other than possibly Spennymoor.

divas · Post by **divas** » Tue May 05, 2015 7:51 am

lo36789 wrote:Budget wise...

Negatives
>We have 300 500club members who's money won't be in the playing budget.

Positives
> A small number of those might not be lost income, those who attend games will likely still put in in other way and exiles will just see it as another way to support the club.
> We have 2 extra games of on the gate income this season
> The move home will save us £25k per annum of rent from Bishop Auckland
> 'On the day' revenues will be higher as more likely people will come early/stick around afterwards. Particularly if the fundraising group put things on after the games.
> Regular debt repayments have fallen (I think).

This is before the expected increase in attendances from a return home. I don't expect that players will be due a pay rise from promotion. The likes of Portas and Armstrong will be getting more than they were at Whitby before they dropped a division.

If the players want to go elsewhere they will likely be worse off - other than possibly Spennymoor.

To add to that...

I expect sponsorship/commercial income to rise by at least 50% as a result of a move home.

Also having 2 rooms in the clubhouse means greater potential for beer & food sales - I sincerely hope we end up with a carvery a la the Ron Greener at the Arena.

Also, not to forget that our margin on those sales will be much higher than at HP

Darlo Uncovered