Will Hatfield
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Re: Will Hatfield
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport ... afc-fylde/
Didn't see that one coming.
Losing our captain and ultimately, one of our best players is a massive loss.
Didn't see that one coming.
Losing our captain and ultimately, one of our best players is a massive loss.
Re: Will Hatfield
Bit of a surprise to say the least but apparently offered fantastic money and a chance to go back full time. Didn’t think for one minute that he would be tempted away for full time football at his age. Just shows you how much money talks and how little loyalty most players have to clubs these days. I for one won’t be cheering him if he returns to BM next season with Fylde.
Re: Will Hatfield
What a load of shite. It's massively disappointing for us, but it makes perfect financial sense for any player to earn more money. The country is about to enter double digit inflation causing a massive cost of living crisis, anyone would be foolish not to protect themselves financially at this point.Old Git wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 1:57 pmBit of a surprise to say the least but apparently offered fantastic money and a chance to go back full time. Didn’t think for one minute that he would be tempted away for full time football at his age. Just shows you how much money talks and how little loyalty most players have to clubs these days. I for one won’t be cheering him if he returns to BM next season with Fylde.
Hatfield was absolutely superb for us, losing him is as bad as losing Charman. One massive piece of next seasons jigsaw has left and Alun needs to replace if we are going to be top 7 contenders next year. At least we got a few quid in rather than nothing in summer.
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Re: Will Hatfield
So when Vera Lynn released some shite you refused to appreciate some non-shite releases?Old Git wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 1:57 pmBit of a surprise to say the least but apparently offered fantastic money and a chance to go back full time. Didn’t think for one minute that he would be tempted away for full time football at his age. Just shows you how much money talks and how little loyalty most players have to clubs these days. I for one won’t be cheering him if he returns to BM next season with Fylde.
I’m more surprised we kept him as long as we did.
Anybody who doesn’t want to improve themselves goes backwards.
You paid £10 a match to watch him. I think you’ve had value for money.
Thanks for all your efforts Will.
Waiting for Raj to shaft them!
Re: Will Hatfield
MB86DFC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:05 pmWhat a load of shite. It's massively disappointing for us, but it makes perfect financial sense for any player to earn more money. The country is about to enter double digit inflation causing a massive cost of living crisis, anyone would be foolish not to protect themselves financially at this point.Old Git wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 1:57 pmBit of a surprise to say the least but apparently offered fantastic money and a chance to go back full time. Didn’t think for one minute that he would be tempted away for full time football at his age. Just shows you how much money talks and how little loyalty most players have to clubs these days. I for one won’t be cheering him if he returns to BM next season with Fylde.
Hatfield was absolutely superb for us, losing him is as bad as losing Charman. One massive piece of next seasons jigsaw has left and Alun needs to replace if we are going to be top 7 contenders next year. At least we got a few quid in rather than nothing in summer.
Totally agree with this, he’s 31 in October and will no doubt be his last chance to get back into full time football. I’m absolutely gutted he’s leaving but he has to look after himself especially with the cost of living crisis as you say, he’d be stupid not to do so!
It feels like he’s been with us a lot longer than 2 years. Doubt he’ll read this but all the best Will, my favourite player since we became fan owned (Along with Thommo), never seen the lad give less than 100% and some fantastic goals to look back on. I’d certainly applaud him if he played against us in the future (And boo him when he inevitably scores against us )
Re: Will Hatfield
Have just noticed that he signed a contract at Fylde until June 2024. He did right to snap their hand off.
Re: Will Hatfield
Can’t blame him to be fair. Club with short term ambition and money.
Re: Will Hatfield
Cannot blame him at all, why wouldn’t he, and to get money when he could have gone in summer anyway, had to be done, no issue.
A big however though is how it just sums up that we are where we are as a club and without some type of outside finance we will just mull along selling our best players and replacing them with less talented, fact. Vicious circle I’m afraid and get that many fans of being fan owned etc like the security of where we are.
Think this one has just brought it home again that without some change, whether that’s a new ground with increased sustainable income or outside investment ( not that they are queuing up) we will just have to lump the situation which I for one would give up tomorrow for an alternative structure.
We are where we are like I said.
A big however though is how it just sums up that we are where we are as a club and without some type of outside finance we will just mull along selling our best players and replacing them with less talented, fact. Vicious circle I’m afraid and get that many fans of being fan owned etc like the security of where we are.
Think this one has just brought it home again that without some change, whether that’s a new ground with increased sustainable income or outside investment ( not that they are queuing up) we will just have to lump the situation which I for one would give up tomorrow for an alternative structure.
We are where we are like I said.
Re: Will Hatfield
Perhaps not if he takes a penalty!TKOA wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:27 pmMB86DFC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:05 pmWhat a load of shite. It's massively disappointing for us, but it makes perfect financial sense for any player to earn more money. The country is about to enter double digit inflation causing a massive cost of living crisis, anyone would be foolish not to protect themselves financially at this point.Old Git wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 1:57 pmBit of a surprise to say the least but apparently offered fantastic money and a chance to go back full time. Didn’t think for one minute that he would be tempted away for full time football at his age. Just shows you how much money talks and how little loyalty most players have to clubs these days. I for one won’t be cheering him if he returns to BM next season with Fylde.
Hatfield was absolutely superb for us, losing him is as bad as losing Charman. One massive piece of next seasons jigsaw has left and Alun needs to replace if we are going to be top 7 contenders next year. At least we got a few quid in rather than nothing in summer.
Totally agree with this, he’s 31 in October and will no doubt be his last chance to get back into full time football. I’m absolutely gutted he’s leaving but he has to look after himself especially with the cost of living crisis as you say, he’d be stupid not to do so!
It feels like he’s been with us a lot longer than 2 years. Doubt he’ll read this but all the best Will, my favourite player since we became fan owned (Along with Thommo), never seen the lad give less than 100% and some fantastic goals to look back on. I’d certainly applaud him if he played against us in the future (And boo him when he inevitably scores against us )
I am as disappointed as everyone else, especially as at 30 years old I thought he would not be tempted away to a full time club. I understand the financial lure must be difficult to resist. I am just saying there is no loyalty in football. Perhaps I am very naïve and old fashioned, but there is no doubt that supporters are the only loyal people in football.
I am not a fan of manufactured clubs like Fylde, so I won’t be hoping they get promoted. We need them in our league next season, as we can hopefully take another 6 points off the wankers.
Re: Will Hatfield
Probably a bigger loss to us than Charman was but given their offer, can't blame him for accepting one last chance at full time & more dosh. He probably has played some of his best games for us earlier in his career but Nobody is irreplacable and at least AA has 4 months to sort it out. Good luck to the bloke.
Re: Will Hatfield
No doubt at all that supporters are the only loyal ones! The way I see it though if another company offered me a lot more money than I’m on now I’d be off like a shot. It’s the same for footballers, especially at our level. It’s a short career and surely you want to make as much money as you can to make your life after football as comfortable as possible. They certainly won’t be retired like many Premier League and probably championship players.Old Git wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:52 pmPerhaps not if he takes a penalty!TKOA wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:27 pmMB86DFC wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:05 pmWhat a load of shite. It's massively disappointing for us, but it makes perfect financial sense for any player to earn more money. The country is about to enter double digit inflation causing a massive cost of living crisis, anyone would be foolish not to protect themselves financially at this point.Old Git wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 1:57 pmBit of a surprise to say the least but apparently offered fantastic money and a chance to go back full time. Didn’t think for one minute that he would be tempted away for full time football at his age. Just shows you how much money talks and how little loyalty most players have to clubs these days. I for one won’t be cheering him if he returns to BM next season with Fylde.
Hatfield was absolutely superb for us, losing him is as bad as losing Charman. One massive piece of next seasons jigsaw has left and Alun needs to replace if we are going to be top 7 contenders next year. At least we got a few quid in rather than nothing in summer.
Totally agree with this, he’s 31 in October and will no doubt be his last chance to get back into full time football. I’m absolutely gutted he’s leaving but he has to look after himself especially with the cost of living crisis as you say, he’d be stupid not to do so!
It feels like he’s been with us a lot longer than 2 years. Doubt he’ll read this but all the best Will, my favourite player since we became fan owned (Along with Thommo), never seen the lad give less than 100% and some fantastic goals to look back on. I’d certainly applaud him if he played against us in the future (And boo him when he inevitably scores against us )
I am as disappointed as everyone else, especially as at 30 years old I thought he would not be tempted away to a full time club. I understand the financial lure must be difficult to resist. I am just saying there is no loyalty in football. Perhaps I am very naïve and old fashioned, but there is no doubt that supporters are the only loyal people in football.
I am not a fan of manufactured clubs like Fylde, so I won’t be hoping they get promoted. We need them in our league next season, as we can hopefully take another 6 points off the wankers.
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Re: Will Hatfield
Looks like his employer has been very flexible - I would imagine he will get 18-24 months at Flyde playing full time before he drops back to part time - makes complete sense to him as he will get the best of both worlds i.e. more money now, but going back to his employer full time after. Good luck to him.
From a Darlo point of view, this is a big blow - major rebuild needed for next season. I think Wheatley needs to move on as well.
From a Darlo point of view, this is a big blow - major rebuild needed for next season. I think Wheatley needs to move on as well.
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Re: Will Hatfield
There will always be a bigger fish than us. Even if we were full time in league 2, good players would get tempted away by league 1 clubs or higher. We do it to smaller clubs or clubs with less resources than us too - sign their better players.Quakerlad wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:48 pmCannot blame him at all, why wouldn’t he, and to get money when he could have gone in summer anyway, had to be done, no issue.
A big however though is how it just sums up that we are where we are as a club and without some type of outside finance we will just mull along selling our best players and replacing them with less talented, fact. Vicious circle I’m afraid and get that many fans of being fan owned etc like the security of where we are.
Think this one has just brought it home again that without some change, whether that’s a new ground with increased sustainable income or outside investment ( not that they are queuing up) we will just have to lump the situation which I for one would give up tomorrow for an alternative structure.
We are where we are like I said.
Shame to lose Hatfield - an excellent player. One of the best we've had since 2012. It severely weakens the core of the squad we've been developing this season, and he will be very difficult to replace. Can't blame him at all if Fylde have offered him 2 and a bit years full time football on a hefty contract.
I'd like to see the money received used to tie down some players to contracts for next season. We've never really been serious playoff challengers this season, partly because it took months to get the core of the team sorted out. I think we've got a solid core now (or, did until todays news), but how many are tied down for next season? Possibly none? We could in theory have to do a rebuild again.
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Re: Will Hatfield
Yep, a bigger loss than Charman, to me.jjljks wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:54 pmProbably a bigger loss to us than Charman was but given their offer, can't blame him for accepting one last chance at full time & more dosh. He probably has played some of his best games for us earlier in his career but Nobody is irreplacable and at least AA has 4 months to sort it out. Good luck to the bloke.
He made us tick.
I suppose in the two times we beat them this season, he was noticed
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Re: Will Hatfield
That never clicked with me, but you are spot on.theoriginalfatcat wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 4:06 pmYep, a bigger loss than Charman, to me.jjljks wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:54 pmProbably a bigger loss to us than Charman was but given their offer, can't blame him for accepting one last chance at full time & more dosh. He probably has played some of his best games for us earlier in his career but Nobody is irreplacable and at least AA has 4 months to sort it out. Good luck to the bloke.
He made us tick.
I suppose in the two times we beat them this season, he was noticed
Re: Will Hatfield
From memory I don’t think he played in the recent away win at Fylde. That was the game when several players were rested and I think we went with Purver and Wheatley in midfield. Hatfield may have come on as a sub late on. Perhaps he was a bit busy talking terms with their ownerstheoriginalfatcat wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 4:06 pmYep, a bigger loss than Charman, to me.jjljks wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:54 pmProbably a bigger loss to us than Charman was but given their offer, can't blame him for accepting one last chance at full time & more dosh. He probably has played some of his best games for us earlier in his career but Nobody is irreplacable and at least AA has 4 months to sort it out. Good luck to the bloke.
He made us tick.
I suppose in the two times we beat them this season, he was noticed
Re: Will Hatfield
Disappointed to lose him, he's been a massive part of the team and the dressing room for the last 3 seasons. He's been excellent in his time here both on and off the pitch and good luck to the lad wish him all the best.
Agree with al_quaker above about losing players, barring 3 or 4 clubs in this country, every club is a selling club (also it never seemed to be an issue when we were taking players from teams like Guiseley etc). All we can do is be astute, get our best assets tied up to contracts to make sure we're compensated when players leave, which is what sounds like what's happened in this case. It will be a challenge for AA to replace him over the summer with a proper box to box midfielder, I like our midfield options but Purver and Wheatley are ball winners, Rose is a play maker, what we're lacking without Hatfield is a ball carrier. (I can't claim to have watched Moke enough to know whether that's his game or not). Also don't think its a bad idea mentioned above to give Hedley a few games at CM over the last 10, he's had an excellent season, maybe this is his chance.
On a slightly related note, if I were Gateshead or Brackley I'd be taking a nervous look over my shoulder at what Fylde and York are doing. Whichever of them doesn't win the league is going to be facing York and Fylde sides with new (proven) managers who have strengthened their squads ready for the Playoffs. I doubt Brackley or Gateshead have the resources to strengthen in the same way.
Agree with al_quaker above about losing players, barring 3 or 4 clubs in this country, every club is a selling club (also it never seemed to be an issue when we were taking players from teams like Guiseley etc). All we can do is be astute, get our best assets tied up to contracts to make sure we're compensated when players leave, which is what sounds like what's happened in this case. It will be a challenge for AA to replace him over the summer with a proper box to box midfielder, I like our midfield options but Purver and Wheatley are ball winners, Rose is a play maker, what we're lacking without Hatfield is a ball carrier. (I can't claim to have watched Moke enough to know whether that's his game or not). Also don't think its a bad idea mentioned above to give Hedley a few games at CM over the last 10, he's had an excellent season, maybe this is his chance.
On a slightly related note, if I were Gateshead or Brackley I'd be taking a nervous look over my shoulder at what Fylde and York are doing. Whichever of them doesn't win the league is going to be facing York and Fylde sides with new (proven) managers who have strengthened their squads ready for the Playoffs. I doubt Brackley or Gateshead have the resources to strengthen in the same way.
Re: Will Hatfield
Must now get Wheatley back ASAP!
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Re: Will Hatfield
Wheatley can't be recalled for 28 days, and in any case he isn't even half the player Hatfield is, can't beat players, can't shoot, can't score, reckless tackler. He'll be gone at the end of the season. We'll have our work cut out finding a replacement for Hatfield, and I guess we'll have to adapt our style slightly without the powerhouse of Hatfield in the middle of the park.
It seems we really can't compete for promotion from this level given our current finances. Is it worth using some of the cash from transfers to improve player contracts so we don't have to put in release clauses to keep them happy, or is a release clause something a player demands now?
It seems we really can't compete for promotion from this level given our current finances. Is it worth using some of the cash from transfers to improve player contracts so we don't have to put in release clauses to keep them happy, or is a release clause something a player demands now?
Last edited by Yarblockos on Tue Mar 22, 2022 5:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Will Hatfield
Guess it depends on the player and what they’re specifically after. I would imagine for part-time footballers, particularly those wanting to get back into the professional game, they’ll want a release clause allowing them to speak to a club offering full time football, should such an offer be made.Yarblockos wrote:
It seems we really can't compete for promotion from this level given our current finances. Is it worth using some of the cash from transfers to improve player contracts so we don't have to put in release clauses to keep them happy, or is a release clause something a player demands now?
In that instance, there’s probably very little we can do. It’s a reflection of where we are as a club and we just have to make the best of it.
We’ve got a fee for Hatfield (more than we would have done in the summer when he’d have left for free). That can be used to invest in the squad, and as others have said, the best use would be to tie down some of those we want for the next campaign.
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Re: Will Hatfield
Embarrassing.Old Git wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 1:57 pmBit of a surprise to say the least but apparently offered fantastic money and a chance to go back full time. Didn’t think for one minute that he would be tempted away for full time football at his age. Just shows you how much money talks and how little loyalty most players have to clubs these days. I for one won’t be cheering him if he returns to BM next season with Fylde.
Re: Will Hatfield
Not sure I’ll be doing BTB after this move, really disappointed will express by view from the ground tonight if I meet any directors.
Re: Will Hatfield
Bizarre. Why would I feel embarrassed about not cheering him playing for an opposing team?darlo2001uk wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 5:26 pmEmbarrassing.Old Git wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 1:57 pmBit of a surprise to say the least but apparently offered fantastic money and a chance to go back full time. Didn’t think for one minute that he would be tempted away for full time football at his age. Just shows you how much money talks and how little loyalty most players have to clubs these days. I for one won’t be cheering him if he returns to BM next season with Fylde.
I have not said I would boo him. I can understand why he has moved, but I don’t have to be pleased about it.
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Re: Will Hatfield
The thing is though, if we didn’t put these clauses into the contracts then the better players wouldn’t sign for us in the first place, making things worse, not better.
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Re: Will Hatfield
What was the alternative? Spunk a chunk of next years budget on one player to keep him here? Or to hold on for the next 10 games and lose him for free? This season is over so no point in missing a fee. If we were in the playoff battle then I’d be more annoyed.
Not boosting the budget will only lead to things like this happening more often.
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Re: Will Hatfield
Not sure what you plan to say to the directors. It appears that Will was offered full time football, more money than we can afford (though we offered more than anyone since 2012), he was able to keep in touch with his other job. As said above in a tough economic time and at 31 I'd be very surprised if most of us wouldn't jump at the opportunity. He's been a very loyal, hard working servant of the club who whenever I saw him always gave 100%. BTB is about the club I've supported since 1976, not one player. Good luck Will and thank you for your attitude and effort.
Last edited by don'tbuythesun on Tue Mar 22, 2022 5:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Will Hatfield
What are the club supposed to do, deny him the opportunity of playing FT football at almost 31 on a lucrative contract until 2024 ?.Ridiculous comment, how on earth do you blame any directors.Darlobill wrote:Not sure I’ll be doing BTB after this move, really disappointed will express by view from the ground tonight if I meet any directors.
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Re: Will Hatfield
And say what? "I see that a full-time club with a wealthy owner met a release clause in a contract for a 31 year old player out of contract in the summer, offered him mega money and full time football, we countered with the best offer we've made since becoming fan owned, but he chose to move anyway. How disgraceful" ?