Gatesheads Kenton Richardson being chased by a numerous of clubs including Sunderland Derby County & Peterborough. I always thought we had a good player in Kenton but like a lot of others he slipped through the net. I understand he was on the verge of signing for Carlisle until a group of other clubs came along.

Liked him meself

How stupid is football. He left us for Sunderland who realised him 2 years later only to be chasing his signature now.

Who is “lots of others” who slipped through the net? Yes like all clubs some players leave and do well elsewhere but Richardson did not exactly slip through the net. Both him and Josh Hawkes left to join Sunderland under 21s but later released at the end of their contracts. So have Sunderland let him slipped through the net also?

Why are you looking for a reason to argue I was talking about footballers in general slipping through the net People like Ivon Toney who was let go by Newcastle for peanuts and later had interest in buying him back for £80 million. Paul Pogba who was at Man U left then bought back for many million Kenton Richardson was a good player who in my opinion should have been kept here.

I agree with what you're saying in principle Leggie. Though didn't Kenton turn down a new contract as Hawkes did in order to sign for the Jokermen at the Stadium of Blight?

Come to think about it Kettering I believe that was the case now you mention it.

I’m sure we had already released Richardson due to him not being good enough before Sunderland showed any interest, I remember thinking it was a very odd move.

I think Sunderland were creating a new youth team at the time and took on a load of kids around that age to fill out the squad, and it was a case of quantity over quality.

I’ve always believed a young player has more chance to shine at lower level and be noticed than joining a over stuffed ‘Academy’ at the bigger clubs where chances will be at a premium and hard to come by…and eventually disappointed and disilllusioned.

Unless they're extremely talented it's very difficult for English kids to emerge at PL and even Championship level as they all want ready made off the shelf players with foreigners being the cheap options.
Lots of young uns need 2 or even 3 attempts at a higher level before establishing themselves at a decent level.

Clubs like ready made players same as people like ready and take away meals, home cooking doesn’t exist in many house holds nowadays, nice big kitchens for show only.
Kids of tomorrow will have no idea how to cook and will become disinterested in playing football as they have very little chance of making it to the big time.
The number of visas for footballers should be limited as they are taking away the chances of the kids ever making it.
Isn’t there visa law where people only get granted a visa if there is shortage in their profession ?

My two lads were and still are big on football, but they played for the enjoyment of it and never expected to play it for a living, though one does have a football business related to the professional game.
The number of kids who make it is insignificant even if we stopped the imports ( which I agree needs cutting) it would still a small number of home grown youngsters in realistic terms.
As for the cooking Jamie… we never order in, unusual nowadays admittedly.

not really as players develop at different times where they can be seen as below the standard required but a few years later they can shine. Clubs cannot keep all the young players just in case as there are even younger ones who are knocking at the door. clubs have to make a decision which obviously in many cases will be wrong after a couple of years down the line.

do not watch many of those house programmes but when i do they all make a big thing about the kitchens. always say that there is enough room for there takeaway menus without splashing the cash on some industrial sized cooker that might be unused. do not think kids lose interest in football, but for some it becomes secondary to sleeping with someone as they get older and find top class football a bit too restrictive for the lives they want. thats before they find out they have been caught up and overtaken by others as they developed earlier.

Joe Gray.
A classic example. Slated by many on here despite some excellent play to score the winning goal v Blackpool before the Palace game.
A goal that was a nice little earner for Pools.
Now become an integral part of the team.
UTP.

he is a classic example of patience being used by the club. we are lucky in some ways as if we had say 4 similar to him when he first appeared he might not have been arround as long has he has been for what i have previously said. you can have too many young lads in the same way of never having anyone.

Leggie I was not looking for argument just read your post differently. The Poolie Bunker is predominantly posts about Hartlepool Untd and as the subject Kenton Richardson was an ex Pools player, rightly or wrongly, I took it as a ‘dig’ at pools. Whilst we both agree that players can slip through the net at most clubs were I disagree with your words ‘like a lot of others’ I believe it’s just the odd one most of whom are late developers.
As for Kenton I wish him luck but he is now 25yrs old with very little league expierence but I can’t see him being more than a lower league player however I hope I’m wrong.

Thats the burning ? Kevin, Will he be an integral part of the team this season,I hope so.

Fair enough not a problem Johnjo Maybe I should have worded it better.

Kenton Richardson signs a new deal with Gateshead!

Obviously all the talk of Championship clubs being in for him was started by his agent...

Correct