We will get some kind of ongoing returns as compensation fees etc. what with him going through our Academy
I cant call him a joke because big clubs will be able to give the 16 year old lad about 30 grand a week without it even making a dent. Contracts these kids can sign are mental. Gutted though.
Not someone I would want to represent our club considering the amount of time we have spent on his development but clearly thinks there is a better opportunity to be had. The whole EPPP academy scheme makes academies fairly worthless to clubs these days tbh as players can move for peanuts using it.
We might as well shut it down now then. If we can't retain the one top talent we've had in a generation beyond 16 years old it's done. Save a million quid off the losses.
He played in a couple of cup games last season even though he was in the under-16s. He captained England under-16s too iirc.
https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/a...s-captain-and-record-breaker-wilkinson-leaves Significant tribunal fee.
Another hopeful lured by cash. I hope that he makes it but a glance at Premier League teams reveals players from all over the world. It’s a big pool to be swimming in before he’s established himself. I’m sure Bobby has done his best to advise him, but …..
We have to take some responsibility too. Playing and starting at first team level someone before they can sign a professional contract is going to get them even more noticed, rather than hiding them away until they can sign professional terms.
That’s a shame. I don’t blame him for having his head turned. We aren’t exactly well run & I’m sure he’s getting well paid. I just hope it’s what he wants & not what an agent wants.
If you read the link above you'll see what Bobby says mate. His contacts managed to get Wilkinson in England squad it seems, so that's added lots of extra cash on for us at least.
Do you know him personally? Let's say he's been offered the chance to join Man City - he'll be training with players far better than at Oakwell, better coaches, facilities etc.
Will have had his head turned (and his parents too) by some big money Prem offers. Another reason to dislike the greed league. All young outstanding talent just gets hoovered up by what’s small change to the big boys. He’s risking a lot for short term gain though as he’ll go from being a big fish in a small pond to just another of dozens of similar players at a top club. Difficult decision I suppose as players are only ever one bad injury away from a wrecked career.