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Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 4:27 pm
by Feet4ever
Released

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 4:33 pm
by Darlopartisan
A good player plagued with injuries

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 4:37 pm
by jjljks
Sorry to see the lad go after his injury hit season. I had hoped he could come back into the team and assist the midfield, driving forward into the box as he used to do. He has been a great servant to the club despite being played in different positions. In the old days, he would have been called a utility player as able to fit into almost any formation and trusted to do a good job. Thanks for all the good performances for us in the past & I wish Tom all the best (and an injury free) future. :wave: :thumbup:

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 4:49 pm
by LoidLucan
Whoever signs him will be getting a very good footballer. If he can steer clear of injury, I feel there is a lot more to come from him. Another who has played his part in the revival of Darlington FC and that won't be forgotten. And that goal of the season after carrying the ball from the half-way line was out of this world.
I wonder if Whitby will fancy their chances although he certainly has the ability for National North level.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 5:06 pm
by jjljks
LoidLucan wrote:Whoever signs him will be getting a very good footballer. If he can steer clear of injury, I feel there is a lot more to come from him. Another who has played his part in the revival of Darlington FC and that won't be forgotten. And that goal of the season after carrying the ball from the half-way line was out of this world.
I wonder if Whitby will fancy their chances although he certainly has the ability for National North level.
yes exactly, our current midfield need to emulate Tom's surges into the box & how he hit that goal... magic!

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 5:51 pm
by bga
Darlopartisan wrote:A good player plagued with injuries
I understand what people mean by "plagued by injuries," but you could almost argue his most serious and lengthy injury was an "assault" so almost not related to football! He has been very unlucky, but I guess TW had to balance minutes played, versus his wages and decided we could not take a gamble on him remaining fit. Thanks Tom you never gave less than 100% and I enjoyed watching you play.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 6:11 pm
by The Golden Hairclip
Tom is a quality player and more than good enough to be playing regularly for us. He’d proven his fitness as well. Big shame, definite loss.


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Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 6:19 pm
by al_quaker
An excellent player for us at the Evostik levels, and a real shame we never really got to see him for an extended period in midfield at this level. Best of luck to him

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 6:30 pm
by quakerman
The Golden Hairclip wrote:Tom is a quality player and more than good enough to be playing regularly for us. He’d proven his fitness as well. Big shame, definite loss.


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Agree 100%, gutted Tommy has let him go, far too good a player and would have given him another season with us.Will not be surprised to see him end up at Spenny, perfect signing for them.Browny,Leon and now Tom, good characters and will be missed but let’s see who Tommy brings in but still sad not to see Tom in a Darlo shirt again.Not convinced about letting him go, time will tell.


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Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 6:38 pm
by Quakers83
Albeit a risk, it could be that decisions like this have to be made for financial reasons. For example, the squad was too big at the end of the season and Wright has to deal with a budget cut whilst looking to bring in 2/3 of his own.

As an example we definitely need a goalkeeper, and even David Johnston in his interview mentioned that we ideally need another forward. Although we've offloaded five with potentially more to follow I think tough decisions are needed unfortunately. Otherwise if we could afford to keep Portas then we would have done, as he is a good squad player to have.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 7:07 pm
by super_les_mcjannet
Some pressure on Wright to make some good signings to ensure we don't feel the loss of the players we have let go, however none of them have been playing much recently.

Disappointed to see Portas go but he started 15 games this season and not much the year before, he was behind the pecking order in terms of Wheatley, Turnbull and probably Glover. More the possibilities we lose with Portas going is the challenge, anyhow it may help Tom get his career going again where he is first choice.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 7:44 pm
by Spyman
Quakers83 wrote:Albeit a risk, it could be that decisions like this have to be made for financial reasons. For example, the squad was too big at the end of the season and Wright has to deal with a budget cut whilst looking to bring in 2/3 of his own.

As an example we definitely need a goalkeeper, and even David Johnston in his interview mentioned that we ideally need another forward. Although we've offloaded five with potentially more to follow I think tough decisions are needed unfortunately. Otherwise if we could afford to keep Portas then we would have done, as he is a good squad player to have.
Exactly - there's no point paying good money out for players who are fourth in line and have played very little (for whatever reason) in the last two seasons.

Probably one of the trickier calls that Wright has had to make so far this close season though.

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Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 8:52 pm
by dfc4me
Wonder if Tom wants regular first team football rather than being a squad player, something we cannot guarantee. Also the number of muscle injuries he has had this season may well have counted against him especially as we will be working with a smaller squad next season.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 11:08 pm
by Darlogramps
I'm not bothered at all about Portas going. Think he was a tad overrated by some fans.

He wasn't first choice and the only way he could get into the starting XI was at right back, which made our defence look more vulnerable.

A decent enough player who's contributed and worked hard for us. But if we're to progress, and start thinking towards promotion, we need better. We'll cope without him.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 11:18 pm
by liddle_4_ever
I'm disappointed that Portas has been released. I'd rate him as 2nd only to Wheatley in the midfield pecking order when he's fit, however I understand TW hasn't seen enough of him to risk keeping him.

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Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 11:43 pm
by Darlo_Pete
Wonder if Portas was on decent money? Sorry to see him go, but I assume TW has someone in mind to replace him.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 6:56 pm
by biccynana
LoidLucan wrote:And that goal of the season after carrying the ball from the half-way line was out of this world.
Yeah, just watched that again. An absolute beauty. Just six touches.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 7:07 pm
by don'tbuythesun
Thanks Tom and good luck!

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 8:04 am
by PierremontQuaker03
I thought he had be offered the chance to stay and earn a new contract - but maybe he decided to move on and try and earn a deal elsewhere - which is fair enough. Stranger things have happened and he may even come back at some point.
I dont think right back was his best position.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 9:33 am
by quakerman
PierremontQuaker03 wrote:I thought he had be offered the chance to stay and earn a new contract - but maybe he decided to move on and try and earn a deal elsewhere - which is fair enough. Stranger things have happened and he may even come back at some point.
I dont think right back was his best position.
Tom filled in well at RB but he was recognised as a very good attacking midfielder and just a pity he was plagued with injuries as I would like to have seen him back next season.I see Spenny are set to make a big announcement....Tom or Gary Brown I wonder, would be fairly predictable but may be wrong.


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Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 11:48 am
by al_quaker
quakerman wrote:I see Spenny are set to make a big announcement....Tom or Gary Brown I wonder, would be fairly predictable but may be wrong.
Their big announcement seemed to be that season tickets were on sale.

Mind, I wouldn't be hugely surprised to see Portas end up at Spennymoor.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 11:56 am
by loan_star
quakerman wrote:
PierremontQuaker03 wrote:I thought he had be offered the chance to stay and earn a new contract - but maybe he decided to move on and try and earn a deal elsewhere - which is fair enough. Stranger things have happened and he may even come back at some point.
I dont think right back was his best position.
Tom filled in well at RB but he was recognised as a very good attacking midfielder and just a pity he was plagued with injuries as I would like to have seen him back next season.I see Spenny are set to make a big announcement....Tom or Gary Brown I wonder, would be fairly predictable but may be wrong.


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Fully expect Gary Brown to end up in the league below us with another local team.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 12:24 pm
by QUAKERMAN2
Must be S Shields then Loan Star.

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Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 6:18 am
by jjljks
loan_star wrote:
quakerman wrote:
PierremontQuaker03 wrote:I thought he had be offered the chance to stay and earn a new contract - but maybe he decided to move on and try and earn a deal elsewhere - which is fair enough. Stranger things have happened and he may even come back at some point.
I dont think right back was his best position.
Tom filled in well at RB but he was recognised as a very good attacking midfielder and just a pity he was plagued with injuries as I would like to have seen him back next season.I see Spenny are set to make a big announcement....Tom or Gary Brown I wonder, would be fairly predictable but may be wrong.


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Fully expect Gary Brown to end up in the league below us with another local team.
Well done on that prediction! :clap:
Any thoughts on the next Euromillions numbers?

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 7:47 pm
by Darlo_CR
He’s just signed for West Auckland. Way way too good for that level!

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:18 pm
by quakerman
Darlo_CR wrote:He’s just signed for West Auckland. Way way too good for that level!
What a waste to be back in the NL playing in front of 100 or so.Thought Spenny, S Shields or Blyth would have snapped him up.Crazy.


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Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:28 pm
by Darlogramps
Darlo_CR wrote:He’s just signed for West Auckland. Way way too good for that level!
Possibly, but then given he's not played a great deal in the last 12 months, it's not overly surprising someone like Spenny weren't interested. He wouldn't have improved them. Is he better than McTiernan, who Blyth let go? I wouldn't say so. So there's no reason for him to go to Blyth. I don't think you can reasonably say, right now, he would be first choice at NLN level.

Bit surprised Whitby didn't get him - maybe West Auckland could offer more money.

Either way I do think Portas was overrated by our fans.

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:29 pm
by Darlopartisan
West seem to assembling a strong team this season

Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:42 pm
by Darlogramps
Just seen that it's Gary Forrest in charge at West. Pretty sure Shildon spent quite a bit of money when he was in charge there - and didn't he put his own money in there? (I could be wrong)

If so, Portas will be on a good wedge for NL level.

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Re: Tom Portas

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:51 pm
by loan_star
jjljks wrote:
loan_star wrote:
Fully expect Gary Brown to end up in the league below us with another local team.
Well done on that prediction! :clap:
Any thoughts on the next Euromillions numbers?
To be fair I heard from a reliable source about Brown. Unless some reliable source gives me the euromillions numbers then unfortunately I'm in the same boat as you.