The Squad List (2023/24 Edition)

[Batch]

We might see that entire under 18's squad who did so well this year as the mainstay of our first team squad next year with the current leadership

I actually don't think that. Its league suicide. But a few around the edges, fine/

If it happens we really are "gone" financially.

[Frigby Daser]

I still think everyone is missing the point here. If we are clearing the decks of players, the owners don’t intend to be here for much longer. I’m taking this all as good news.

[Kaufman]

I still think everyone is missing the point here. If we are clearing the decks of players, the owners don’t intend to be here for much longer. I’m taking this all as good news.

As much as I'd love to believe this, the noises I've heard so far is he/they ain't selling. Hope to be convinced otherwise.

That being said, I'm holding my nerve to see the retained list.
Dokes and Glatzel are the main two I'm hoping will stick around. Problem is, it might be only those 2.

[Anonymous77]

I do feel this is probably the best academy year group since Twine/Young/Pryce/Tom Smith/Will Henry. However it doesn’t mean they should be thrown straight in (like they currently are).

[adje]

I do feel this is probably the best academy year group since Twine/Young/Pryce/Tom Smith/Will Henry. However it doesn’t mean they should be thrown straight in (like they currently are).

Not many of them really progressed did they. It's known history that very few youth players,even international ones make the grade, unfortunately

[Nemo]

Fitton gave the entire class of 2008 contracts from memory, that group with Sean Morrison, Callum Kennedy, Chris Allen, Ben Joyce, Lloyd Macklin and a few others. We would have still had a reserve team then though, that's the challenge - these lads are just 18, ideally they'd develop for another 2-3 seasons, are we willing to give them that? I'd doubt it.

[Quagmire]

Fitton gave the entire class of 2008 contracts from memory, that group with Sean Morrison, Callum Kennedy, Chris Allen, Ben Joyce, Lloyd Macklin and a few others. We would have still had a reserve team then though, that's the challenge - these lads are just 18, ideally they'd develop for another 2-3 seasons, are we willing to give them that? I'd doubt it.

This is where I think our loan system is all wrong, other than Twine, I can’t remember us loaning a half decent youngster to a National League, or a side in league below in Twine’s case, to get games at a half decent standard.

They always end up at your Melkshams, Chippenham etc, and then just disappear.

[Anonymous77]

This is where I think our loan system is all wrong, other than Twine, I can’t remember us loaning a half decent youngster to a National League, or a side in league below in Twine’s case, to get games at a half decent standard.

They always end up at your Melkshams, Chippenham etc, and then just disappear.

Even Twine went into lockdown on loan at Chippenham and by the time fans had returned he was at Franchise. Real shame Town fans didn’t get to see him play in person much for STFC.

[Nemo]

Twine had those loans first, excelled at them, and earned a move up. No National League side is going to take one of our kids on a first loan. It's a single example, but here's one of Crewe's academy products, now 24 and at Boreham Wood in the National League this season:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Sass-Davies

He's on his tenth loan, starting at the same sort of level our kids do and working his way up. He's still not made it at League Two level.

Youth development needs some serious investment up front to make it work. Nothing about our club makes me think this will happen - contracting a few we might then be able to sell on quickly? Now we're talking.

[Anonymous77]

https://x.com/adversport/status/1783511301806858514?s=46&t=JFJ6WuyoqR937j03pvTFhQ

Gunning suggesting McGurk isn’t leaving, altho can’t really trust Gav’s word these days.

[Nemo]

Negotiating on an option? Positively speaking, we might be trying to get him to commit for more than the one year. Other interpretations are, I'm sure, available.

[Bogus Dave]

Don’t ever, ever, take anything this club says at face value. It’s as simple as that

[theakston2k]

I’ve always suspected that the options on the January players were of the type we wouldn’t actually be able to afford. Not technically a lie but never the clubs intention to retain them beyond the end of the season. Unless pre sold of course….

[Bob's Orange]

I suspect the only options about are the powdered chocolate variety.

[tans]

Surely you just take up the option then negotiate after?