Barnet winger Albert Adomah, who has attracted the interest of a number of top clubs with some dazzling performances, wants out.
But he has only been at Underhill since January and is still under contract.
You cannot blame him for being tempted away, but should he show some loyalty? After all, if it was not for Barnet manager Paul Fairclough giving him his big chance in League football, he could still be plying his trade in the Ryman League.
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Should he give the Bees at least one more year, or is he right to try to better himself?
Is loyalty in football important?
What do you think? Click on "Comment" and get typing.
Posted by: Peter Whiley, Poland on 8:14pm Sun 11 May 08
Albert has developed enormously under Paul Fairclough's tutelage in just a few months, so think what progress he would make in a full season with Barnet. I think the Manager deserves some loyalty from him, apart from the club and the fans who have supported Albert massively. He could have agreed to play one more season for Barnet and help them challenge for a top position in Division 2, and then move on...and we would all have been happy with that. Now, he will probably spend most of next season on a bench or being loaned out somewhere, and not really developing as he should. Not very wise decision on Albert's part, but he has clearly been badly advised by agents keen to get their grubby hands on a percentage of a transfer fee. No loyalty whatsoever, and footballers wonder why people are quick to criticise them! It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. My sympathies are particularly with Paul Fairclough.
Albert has developed enormously under Paul Fairclough's tutelage in just a few months, so think what progress he would make in a full season with Barnet. I think the Manager deserves some loyalty from him, apart from the club and the fans who have supported Albert massively. He could have agreed to play one more season for Barnet and help them challenge for a top position in Division 2, and then move on...and we would all have been happy with that. Now, he will probably spend most of next season on a bench or being loaned out somewhere, and not really developing as he should. Not very wise decision on Albert's part, but he has clearly been badly advised by agents keen to get their grubby hands on a percentage of a transfer fee. No loyalty whatsoever, and footballers wonder why people are quick to criticise them! It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. My sympathies are particularly with Paul Fairclough.
Posted by: Ashley, London on 10:46am Mon 12 May 08
Loyalty in football barely exists anymore.
It is all well and good in principle, but the reality is that personal glory and money are all that make any difference.
Players like Albert don't care that but for a lucky breeak they'd still be turning out on a Sunday morning somewhere, and would not be in the Football League at all.
Much like the rest he will move on and come to nothing somewhere else. As the other commenter says, he will warm a bench or get a run out in the reserves.
Whenever I hear of a lower league player hoping to go to a Premiership club I have to laugh. Any who are any good are signed up by Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal etc by the age of 16, they never see the likes of Barnet other than playing for the reserves.
There are so many examples. Look how good Scott Sinclair is, he can't get near the Chelsea first X1. What about Campbell, the lad on loan at Hull from Man U. He wants to go back and challenge Rooney and Tevez.
These boys always end up heartbroken, and usually back at places like Macclesfield and Lincoln.
Loyalty in football barely exists anymore.
It is all well and good in principle, but the reality is that personal glory and money are all that make any difference.
Players like Albert don't care that but for a lucky breeak they'd still be turning out on a Sunday morning somewhere, and would not be in the Football League at all.
Much like the rest he will move on and come to nothing somewhere else. As the other commenter says, he will warm a bench or get a run out in the reserves.
Whenever I hear of a lower league player hoping to go to a Premiership club I have to laugh. Any who are any good are signed up by Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal etc by the age of 16, they never see the likes of Barnet other than playing for the reserves.
There are so many examples. Look how good Scott Sinclair is, he can't get near the Chelsea first X1. What about Campbell, the lad on loan at Hull from Man U. He wants to go back and challenge Rooney and Tevez.
These boys always end up heartbroken, and usually back at places like Macclesfield and Lincoln.
Posted by: Ashley, London on 10:47am Mon 12 May 08
Loyalty in football barely exists anymore.
It is all well and good in principle, but the reality is that personal glory and money are all that make any difference.
Players like Albert don't care that but for a lucky breeak they'd still be turning out on a Sunday morning somewhere, and would not be in the Football League at all.
Much like the rest he will move on and come to nothing somewhere else. As the other commenter says, he will warm a bench or get a run out in the reserves.
Whenever I hear of a lower league player hoping to go to a Premiership club I have to laugh. Any who are any good are signed up by Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal etc by the age of 16, they never see the likes of Barnet other than playing for the reserves.
There are so many examples. Look how good Scott Sinclair is, he can't get near the Chelsea first X1. What about Campbell, the lad on loan at Hull from Man U. He wants to go back and challenge Rooney and Tevez.
These boys always end up heartbroken, and usually back at places like Macclesfield and Lincoln.
Loyalty in football barely exists anymore.
It is all well and good in principle, but the reality is that personal glory and money are all that make any difference.
Players like Albert don't care that but for a lucky breeak they'd still be turning out on a Sunday morning somewhere, and would not be in the Football League at all.
Much like the rest he will move on and come to nothing somewhere else. As the other commenter says, he will warm a bench or get a run out in the reserves.
Whenever I hear of a lower league player hoping to go to a Premiership club I have to laugh. Any who are any good are signed up by Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal etc by the age of 16, they never see the likes of Barnet other than playing for the reserves.
There are so many examples. Look how good Scott Sinclair is, he can't get near the Chelsea first X1. What about Campbell, the lad on loan at Hull from Man U. He wants to go back and challenge Rooney and Tevez.
These boys always end up heartbroken, and usually back at places like Macclesfield and Lincoln.
I think your being very harsh on Albert. He stuck With Harrow Borough for a long time for only pennies.
Harrow have the smallest budget in their league and I don't doubt he had better financial offers from similar sized clubs but he learnt his trade at the boro.
"After all, if it was not for Barnet manager Paul Fairclough giving him his big chance in League football, he could still be plying his trade in the Ryman League."
Wrong! Barnet swooped in and out bid Dagenham and Redbridge, so he still would have been playing in that league.
If it hadn't been for boro's manager he still would be playing park football, where he was discovered.
He has remained loyal to the Reds keeping in contact and visiting Earlsmead after having left.
His sign on fee will keep boro afloat for another season, that's loyalty.
I think your being very harsh on Albert. He stuck With Harrow Borough for a long time for only pennies.
Harrow have the smallest budget in their league and I don't doubt he had better financial offers from similar sized clubs but he learnt his trade at the boro.
"After all, if it was not for Barnet manager Paul Fairclough giving him his big chance in League football, he could still be plying his trade in the Ryman League."
Wrong! Barnet swooped in and out bid Dagenham and Redbridge, so he still would have been playing in that league.
If it hadn't been for boro's manager he still would be playing park football, where he was discovered.
He has remained loyal to the Reds keeping in contact and visiting Earlsmead after having left.
His sign on fee will keep boro afloat for another season, that's loyalty.
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