The Ex Swindon Town Player Where Are They Now Thread

[DarloSTFC84]

Do we know if this competition generates much revenue? I know we have the odd bit of advertising, and Samsung pay the players wage for a year...surely ALL it is, is a publicity stunt as we've now had three players from this, which all put together has resulted in ONE appearance...not a moan, just wondering..

[Posh Red]

Jackson will never play a game for us anyway so it's pretty much irrelevant where he goes out on loan. Best of luck to him anyhow.

Whilst you are probably right, as Austin showed us you never know with strikers as the ability to find the net is more important than actually being a very good footballer. I mean how many levels below the Football League were Poole Town?

The lad Gayle that was at Peterborough last season having signed from Dagenham & Redbridge has gone from Conference South to Premiership in a couple of seasons.

[Empathy Sloth]

You get a risk free opportunity of unearthing a gem.

[leefer]

Not to mention Smalling at Man U who was playing for Maidstone a few years back.

[DarloSTFC84]

Whilst you are probably right, as Austin showed us you never know with strikers as the ability to find the net is more important than actually being a very good footballer. I mean how many levels below the Football League were Poole Town?

The lad Gayle that was at Peterborough last season having signed from Dagenham & Redbridge has gone from Conference South to Premiership in a couple of seasons.

Someone who knows where the back of the net is...that's vital, and it's no lie that the higher up the leagues you go, the better the service....admittedly the better the defences too...but if you don't try, you don't know...mind you, the management/coaches have seen him in training and obviously feel that League One is above him at the moment..

[sonicyouth]

The difference with Austin, Gayle, Smalling et al is that they were all youngsters on the books of pro teams who dropped out of league football for various lengths of time - Smalling played 12 games at Maidstone, Austin played over 100 non-league games - before getting picked up.

Due to the sheer numbers of youngsters these academies have on their books for every age group, there is always going to be one or two who slip the net. It'd be nice to think the Samsung thing will unearth one of these but the odds really are minute.

I hope Jackson goes on to succeed at Supermarine's level, hopefully higher, but with Ranger, N'Guessan, Ajose, El Gabas and Storey on our books (not to mention Williams and Benson) it's going to be very unlikely he even makes the bench for us.

[leefer]

The difference with Austin, Gayle, Smalling et al is that they were all youngsters on the books of pro teams who dropped out of football for various lengths of time - Smalling played 12 games at Maidstone, Austin played over 100 non-league games - before getting picked up.

Due to the sheer numbers of youngsters these academies have on their books for every age group, there is always going to be one or two who slip the net. It'd be nice to think the Samsung thing will unearth one of these but the odds really are minute.

I hope Jackson goes on to succeed at Supermarine's level, hopefully higher, but with Ranger, N'Guessan, Ajose, El Gabas and Storey on our books (not to mention Williams and Benson) it's going to be very unlikely he even makes the bench for us.

Agree to a degreeSonic,depends if they actually get a run out and a chance when signed...many dont.
Remember Wilson only pitching in Austin as a last resort,seem to remember he wasn't that bothered if we even bought him or not.

But yes past experience at a pro club seems to give you the edge.

[Posh Red]

Ian Wright was another one some years ago, went from playing on Hackney Marshes to Palace at the age of 22.

But in fairness these are the exception, I think you are right that the coaches/scouts get it right most of the time & there are far more players that drop down into the non leagues that never come back.

Will be interesting to see what we would do if he went to a higher level than Supermarjne in loan & still scores goals.

[suttonred]

Dont know if its been posted but I've just noticed Alex Henshall signed on loan for Rovers at the end of last week.

[Sippo]

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[Paolo69]

The difference with Austin, Gayle, Smalling et al is that they were all youngsters on the books of pro teams who dropped out of league football for various lengths of time - Smalling played 12 games at Maidstone, Austin played over 100 non-league games - before getting picked up.

There's still always the odd success stories. Dave Kitson did alright for himself although he's now back playing for a non league side of course.

[Ardiles]

Just spotted that Bertie Brayley and Nicky Nicolau are both turning out for Chelmsford this evening against Farnborough, just up the road from me.  In Brayley's case, he has played for 17 other clubs (as well as Chelmsford) since his 7 game spell with us in 2001/02.  I think the word is 'journeyman'.  He's still only 32.

[Batch]

Just spotted Martin Ling in the Legends. At least I think it was.

[Peter Venkman]

Just spotted Martin Ling in the Legends. At least I think it was.

Hes being interviewed as we speak.

[Reg Smeeton]

Alex Henshall on loan at Bristol Rovers.

Scored last night....Wovers still lost mind