Amazing isn’t it that we didn’t have this problem with David Brooks,who was the real star of the Toulon tournament not Hirst,Hirst obviously saw that even if he did sign a contract he wouldn’t be given a chance at the Arrogants and farmed out to another club.
Now the Arrogants are saddled with a duds like Rhodes and Fletcher on sky high wages and have never given a chance to a young prospect,ferking comedy at its finest
As I wrote on another thread, I think Hirst senior never forgave the Wendies for blocking his transfer to Man U when Fergie wanted to buy him (and David wanted to go) and he didn’t want a similar problem for his lad. I suspect (but don’t know) that he wanted a low release clause in any new contract and that was refused.
Acting in his son’s best interest, as he sees it, the move to Belgium makes sense in that it allows him to play in a competetive league, and move to a PL club with no fear of it being blocked or some ridiculous high fee being slapped on him by Chansiri. A low transfer fee = more scope for higher wages.
Further, he probably trusts Pearson more than the Wendy training staff in assisting his son’s development.
All in all, I think Hirsty has done what any parent (and/or agent) should do, in acting in the best interests of his son.
As far as REDDERS comment is concerned - yes, the system does need reform as it appears to always work in favour of the biggest and richest. They shaft the likes of us - but, given the chance, I suspect we would probably do the same to smaller clubs. Sadly, that’s the way it is nowadays.
You can't blame him for leaving.
If he wants to play competitively and is deliberately not being given a chance because he wouldn't sign a contract that effectively ties him to reserve team football, it's no wonder he's got his agents and advisers on the case.
It's a curious case though, you wonder why he wasn't loaned out last season at League One level, he might be ready for the Championship by now if he was.
It's also no wonder why our academy is so superior, young players know that if they've got some talent, get their heads down and work hard they'll be given a first team contract and a shot at getting in the first team. The number of players that have come through our academy that have made it into the first team rightly or wrongly over the last 20 years has been phenomenal
A lot of conjecture in your comments, we don't really know why George was frozen out, I think there's probably more to it than just him not signing the contract....my gut feeling is that David has had massive negative effect on the whole thing, maybe one day the Hirst camp will give their version of it.
Not MY barmpot theory Blockers, here IS a theory though....if Roland had been English he would have played for England...if Len had been Swedish he wouldn't have played for Sweden..............can you block rodders from seeing this comment, I don't know if I could handle another 30 pager....