Johnston and Prichard-Ellis

[ChalkDust]

Both been released as both their contracts had expired.

[VindePays2009]

Two different situations.

CPE sounds like an Academy boy who was never going quite to make the grade.

As for Johnston, O.K. we're hoping for another Varney moment, but should we start to throttle back on our search for 'gems' from the fifth thru eighth tiers of English soccer? Nothing has worked recently, with the tricky winger from Ebbsfleet giving way to another similar player, but to no avail. And Vadaine? guess we've developed him for Mansfield.

Jury is out on Ant Stewart, but at least he's from a Football League side.

Plenty of bargains up here in the Highland Clearances, though. But a it late for midfielder Mallan, after his goal of the century.

[AstonAlex]

It sounds as though CPE has also been hampered by a succession of injuries and I think the club deserves great credit for extending his original contract to see if he could make the grade this season. . . seems it was beyond him.

As to not looking at the lower levels of the pyramid for players, I think we have to keep looking there. True, Johnson hasn't made it, but Guthrie has proved to be a decent squad player. They may be harder to find than in previous years but the long list of successes we've had shows that Bakes should be encouraged to keep his eyes open, even when he finally retires!

[Crewe99]

Glad to Johnston has signed a contract with Alfreton in the Conference. OK, he didn't make the massive leap from Leek to League 1 but he has done enough to get signed for the next 18 months as a pro at a good level.