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In his column in local Stevenage paper The Comet, Graham Westley has declared himself correct in his handling of the Anthony Elding transfer.
Yesterday it emerged that Stevenage refused all offers from the Conference and above for Elding, forcing the player to move down a rung to Kettering. Now Westley believes his decision will act as a signal for the club's young players:
"There is much for our youngsters to learn in Anthony's departure from the club though. Although he was under contract to Stevenage, it became clear during last season that other people were putting offers to Anthony to move elsewhere. Some numbers were quoted publicly. And I was told that he was being offered the chance to treble his money. I made it clear to Anthony that he would not be leaving Stevenage for a higher level. He had to see out his contract. Anthony fought for what he wanted. He continued to strive to leave. It became one thing after the next. He became virtually unmanageable. But I meant what I said. No matter how hard he fought, I refused to allow him to leave Stevenage for the Football League."
Whilst Westley's decision to hamper Elding's career may be an incentive to the current youth crop at Broadhall Way to knuckle down and get on with the task in hand, it is a wonder quite what signals Westley's decision gives to the hundreds of footballers that will be looking at clubs like Stevenage and the other Conference sides as a stepping stone into the Football League and beyond.
Most managers are happy to offload unhappy players. Graham Turner allowed Jon Brady to move to Cambridge after it became clear the player was not happy with the travelling involved from his Northamptonshire home, and Turner has spoken repeatedly of the good reputation the Bulls have for allowing young players to move on when the right opportunity arose.
