Everton to sign Bradford City starlet in whopping £2million deal (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Everton to sign Bradford City starlet George Green in whopping £2million deal
12:10am Monday 3rd October 2011 in Sport
Exclusive By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter
George Green, left, pictured four years ago playing for City’s under-11s
City are set to sell a teenage prodigy to Everton in a mega-bucks deal that will bank them up to £2 million.
Everton have beaten off interest from over 20 clubs, including some from abroad, to sign 15-year-old midfielder George Green, who is seen as one of the hottest prospects in the country.
The deal was done at Saturday’s Merseyside derby after talks between Archie Christie, Peter Horne and Everton boss David Moyes.
Tottenham and Rangers were also chasing Dewsbury-born Green but he felt a move to Everton – and their reputation for blooding youngsters – was the best choice.
City will initially receive nearly £300,000 for a player who has come up through the school of excellence.
The deal is structured to include further bonuses for appearances, new contracts, potential international appearances and a bumper sell-on clause from any future transfer fee.
Head of football development Christie said: “This is one of the highest deals ever for a 15-year-old from a League Two club. But George is the best I’ve seen in his position at his age. He could become another Wayne Rooney or Paul Gascoigne."
Read the full story only in today's Telegraph & Argus
Comments(58)
Banktop
says...
2:51am Mon 3 Oct 11
bradfordranger wrote:i have to disagree with you. You need to read BFB interview with Archie to understand it more. This money is the future of our club. The results will improve for the first team, and this lad would not feature for sometime if he stayed. I say trust the club and get behind them in charge. sack the board....don't make me laugh!!!
Another youngster sold to line the pockets of the chairmen. The first team have got worse while Delph and Cleverly are regulars in the premier league. Sack the board !!!
bradfordranger
says...
3:14am Mon 3 Oct 11
silverbantam
says...
5:06am Mon 3 Oct 11
benish
says...
6:09am Mon 3 Oct 11
Any player that comes to us enters reverse gear!
Best to get rid now and cash in and allow them to be taught by the best in the business, for their sake!
mcchalk
says...
7:30am Mon 3 Oct 11
macca1969
says...
7:36am Mon 3 Oct 11
bradfordranger
says...
8:23am Mon 3 Oct 11
The money is also not re-invested in the team!! We have not paid any money for any players recently!! Also, is the development squad preparing players so we can make a profit?? or to play in the first team??
I am a very frustrated fan at the moment and wish the club would be truthful and outline the plans clearly to the fans!!!
mcchalk
says...
8:27am Mon 3 Oct 11
bradfordranger
says...
8:42am Mon 3 Oct 11
I will wait to see if we sign any new players using the 300 grand ??
BantamsRus
says...
8:46am Mon 3 Oct 11
Sack the board? You argument is that we have sold another youth team player “to line the pockets of the chairmen” and none of the previous windfalls have been reinvested. Where do you think the money comes for Reid, Fagen, Devitt etc… Especially considering that Jacko probably spent this season allocated budget on ‘his’ squad.
If you consider that Adam Le Fonde was sold for £350,000 and we’re receiving £300,000 up front for a 15-year, I feel it’s good business.
ricky76
says...
9:11am Mon 3 Oct 11
BantamsRus wrote:Totally agree we have got £300000 for a unproven young player who I hope makes the grade but there are no gurantees he will so I think its a good deal for everbody.
Totally disagree with everything bradfordranger says: - Sack the board? You argument is that we have sold another youth team player “to line the pockets of the chairmen” and none of the previous windfalls have been reinvested. Where do you think the money comes for Reid, Fagen, Devitt etc… Especially considering that Jacko probably spent this season allocated budget on ‘his’ squad. If you consider that Adam Le Fonde was sold for £350,000 and we’re receiving £300,000 up front for a 15-year, I feel it’s good business.
macca1969
says...
9:11am Mon 3 Oct 11
BantamsRus wrote:Totally agree with your comments. Yes we do miss out on seeing the player but unfortunately that's where we are as a club now. Our costs to stay at valley parade are still massive and deals like this keep us a float and pay the wages.
Totally disagree with everything bradfordranger says: -
Sack the board? You argument is that we have sold another youth team player “to line the pockets of the chairmen” and none of the previous windfalls have been reinvested. Where do you think the money comes for Reid, Fagen, Devitt etc… Especially considering that Jacko probably spent this season allocated budget on ‘his’ squad.
If you consider that Adam Le Fonde was sold for £350,000 and we’re receiving £300,000 up front for a 15-year, I feel it’s good business.
Nevelhound
says...
9:34am Mon 3 Oct 11
Selling is pure football economics and as for spending the cash on first team we already are. How do u think we're paying for the massive squad and all the new arrivals. The first poster is a numpty. The ref to cleverly and Delph, only confirms why we sold this lad - he's prem quality and we're 3rd bottom of lge 2 - simples. Its the negatrons at this club that will see us relegated. The treatment of Hanson at burton in Saturday was a disgrace. Shame on you. CTID
Rambo
says...
9:45am Mon 3 Oct 11
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If UEFA, the FA or whoever had any testicles, they would clamp down on this and limit the number of kids big teams can sign on before a young age.
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It obvious there are people here who think the opposite and wish the kid well. But in 15 years of going to VP I've seen about 6 players actually come into the first team, even with all our financial problems thats a pathetic figure.
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Even though there is money coming in, and has been doing so for quite a while from similar deals in recent years you all have to admit it does get sickening to see most of it seemingly go into the black hole of the Valley Parade rent.
bradfordranger
says...
9:46am Mon 3 Oct 11
Yes it is good business, yes it is good cash and yes, we may not have had any choice. But supporters constantly seeing our young talent sold, have no hope for the future.
The club seem to not really know the plan for the future. We started by trying to get young kids and develop them, suddenly we are having to sell young kids to pay for players that were not in the original plans, e.g Fagan. I am not your average idiot who would shout at the players. I just feel that the club has lost its way from the start of the season through mismanagement and no concrete focus.
brucebantam
says...
9:51am Mon 3 Oct 11
tyker2
says...
9:59am Mon 3 Oct 11
Maybe though it shows that we can produce players and get them through to bigger clubs and maybe the development squad should not give up hope of a move to a bigger club. However, if we are to benefit properly from the development organisation those in that squad have to be played in the first team instead of signing expensive players such as Fagan and Benson ( in terms of wages).
Nickloza
says...
10:00am Mon 3 Oct 11
Nevelhound wrote:I couldn't agree with you more. This is great news for the club, there are to many negative 'fans' on here they would find something to moan about if we won 10-0 every week. We are not the only club in this financial position, most of the football league is to some degree. Even some premier sides have had to sell their best talent, its about time some people realised this. The 300k will pay our wage bill for the year and maybe more, so as I said its great news CTID
Trust u lot for turning great news into a negative. How can u moan about selling a kid that none of you even heard of. Congrats to city for unearthing a gem. At 15 he could yet turn out to be a dud.
Selling is pure football economics and as for spending the cash on first team we already are. How do u think we're paying for the massive squad and all the new arrivals. The first poster is a numpty. The ref to cleverly and Delph, only confirms why we sold this lad - he's prem quality and we're 3rd bottom of lge 2 - simples. Its the negatrons at this club that will see us relegated. The treatment of Hanson at burton in Saturday was a disgrace. Shame on you. CTID
Rambo
says...
10:04am Mon 3 Oct 11
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But thats the thing, if recent sales are anything to go by then very little if anything will go on the team - Like I said if the money just constantly goes into paying the likes of Gibb with no signs of improvement anywhere else then thats when fans get sick of the selling.
eebygum
says...
10:14am Mon 3 Oct 11
bradfordranger
says...
10:18am Mon 3 Oct 11
If the board also have the same attitude, then they will keep pocketing your cash, because nobody is asking why??? Its fine to just keep plodding along and giving your cash over the turnstiles. Somebody, somewhere is making a profit!! We need the board to publish the accounts, then we can have a long hard look !!
Shoot Me Im a City Fan
says...
10:19am Mon 3 Oct 11
gspot01
says...
10:34am Mon 3 Oct 11
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Like many posters have said above how can this be bad news?? We get a decent amount of money for a lad none of us know anything about. I just hope we get first refusal on any loans on the lad in the future.
johnny yen
says...
10:42am Mon 3 Oct 11
Well done City.
tyker2
says...
10:46am Mon 3 Oct 11
That way we may see , on the field, something we, as a club, have created. The fans would definitely warm to that process.
Again this is excellent business and sends out a message to all the bigger clubs that we are finding and creating youngsters fit to play at a higher level.
bradfordranger
says...
10:47am Mon 3 Oct 11
Danstarr69
says...
10:48am Mon 3 Oct 11
If the club looked after their money better by stopping needless loans and playing people I rate like Stephenson,Rodney,Ha
nnah,Rowe,Compton...
instead of loaning them out or sitting them on the bench we'd be higher in the table imo.Yes Devitt,Reid,Moore and Fagan are good signings but I only think we needed 2 players,Moore and another centre back,which we now have.We have enough quality strikers and midfielders in the development squad who I think are good enough to step up to the 1st team if given the chance.
Maybe now with the £300,000 the club might buy the youth a minibus.It's a tiny donation from that amount of money,but I bet Lawn/Rhodes still won't buy one and will still leave it up to THE FRIENDS OF BRADFORD CITY to get it.
Scargutt2
says...
10:57am Mon 3 Oct 11
1 You can't 'sack' shareholders.
2 We might not pay a signing on fee for players, but we still pay them a salary.
3 George Green is one player who has been sold to Everton, there may be 10 more players who are not quite as good as him in the under 15s, but who will all progress to the first team and be oustanding championship players. We don't know, so your conjecture is wasted.
parader no1
says...
11:21am Mon 3 Oct 11
bradfordranger
says...
11:24am Mon 3 Oct 11
Trust me, I understand a lot of things.
One kid leaving is not going to break the club, However i am worried about where we are going ?? I am worried about where the cash is going and I am worried about the lack of transparency. I am worried that the supporters are being taken for a ride !!
I am worried about my club !!
tyker2
says...
12:13pm Mon 3 Oct 11
the club can afford it now in the youth development system that is.
If we are going to get young kids signing for us and we are to develop them it is no good sending them to games in tractors is.
Prisoner Cell Block A
says...
12:29pm Mon 3 Oct 11
Let the board and the decision makers make the decisions, be it on youth team players flogged for a fortune or someone else's cast off brought in just for single purpose use. Turn up and support, discuss with passion but please do so from a point of strength or knowledge and not the foolish meanderings of someone who once held a clipboard and took subs for the Hare and Hounds.
StaffsBantam
says...
12:42pm Mon 3 Oct 11
Another good post.
bradfordranger
says...
12:45pm Mon 3 Oct 11
flashdonut
says...
12:48pm Mon 3 Oct 11
parader no1 wrote:Numb nuts. It says DEAL not FEE!
As usual the T & A come out with a misleading headline. The fee is £300,000 WHICH COULD LEAD to £2m
IDLE BANTAM
says...
1:07pm Mon 3 Oct 11
Another young talent to watch out for is talented 15 year old defender/midfielder Jack Stockdill.
Prisoner Cell Block A
says...
1:28pm Mon 3 Oct 11
Do you have a walk on part in TOWIE? Shut up, fgs!
jackez2059
says...
1:31pm Mon 3 Oct 11
bradfordranger wrote:How do you think we are getting the money to sign the players of the last few months? Duke, Fagan, Reid, and the multiple higher league loan players. Money comes from selling youth prospects that are too good for our level. If they are regulars in the prem, that means they are miles too good to have even played a year at our club.
Another youngster sold to line the pockets of the chairmen. The first team have got worse while Delph and Cleverly are regulars in the premier league.
Sack the board !!!
You must have just read that there are 20 odd clubs interested in this kid, you seriously expect us to ignore big money for a 15 year old (and the kid refuse to move to a prem team).
You think we should refuse the money to let them play for us for a year at best (at 15, he wouldnt play for another 2 years anyway) and then still move somewhere else.
One of Archie Christies roles was to make us money, find us decent young players that we can use a bit and sell on. Thats what hes doing.
Barooshee
says...
1:57pm Mon 3 Oct 11
flashdonut
says...
2:02pm Mon 3 Oct 11
parader no1 wrote:''Everton to sign Bradford City starlet George Green in whopping £2million deal''
What does the HEADLINE say pillock brain ?
.
It says, quite clearly, that the deal is worth £2million. It does not say the fee. A deal would be the fee and any add-ons. A fee would be a cash sum paid at the outset.
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Different things altogether numb nuts.
bobby98007
says...
2:53pm Mon 3 Oct 11
bradfordranger wrote:"These kinds of deals give nothing for the fans to look forward to"
These kinds of deals give nothing for the fans to look forward to. Fans invest in the club thru buying tickets, yet as soon as we have assets we sell them, allowing other clubs fans to benefit from our investment. We do not even get a chance to watch them!!
The money is also not re-invested in the team!! We have not paid any money for any players recently!! Also, is the development squad preparing players so we can make a profit?? or to play in the first team??
I am a very frustrated fan at the moment and wish the club would be truthful and outline the plans clearly to the fans!!!
What it gives us to look forward to is for the club to exist for a few more years. You have to remember we are on the brink of survival, as most teams are in our league. Were not in a position to stock pile money, the money we have just about keeps us going.
We are not the only clubs that sell their youngsters, its common practice.
I find it amusing that some people are criticising big clubs purchasing a young player, yet when were pulling young players in the form of Hansons, Williams and Hannahs from lower division clubs (for a pitence) its all well done City! For god sakes have an opinion and stick to it, not chop and change depending on whether it benefits you or not.
Finally..... The idiots on here that keep saying "sack the board" let me remind you that the Rhodes family have propped this club up for YEARS! Im pretty sure that the Rhodes never have, and probably never will re-coup the money they have put into this club. You should be grateful! There is someone who is willing to donate their personal money to the club, without hope of a return, there should be a statue of Julian Rhodes on the grounds of VP!
Mark Lawn has also (albeit lent) 1 million pounds to the club, thats a lot of money. What more do you want? Some people wanna kiss his backside, because the day he gets bored and decides to pull his money out, were knackerd. This isnt even mentioning the money they put in to buy the office block, which has reduced our outgoings!
People who have no idea what is going on (and cannot see past the end of their nose) should keep their idiotic posts to themselves!
Waynus71
says...
3:47pm Mon 3 Oct 11
.
Don't get me wrong, I do understand 'BradfordRangers' frustration and can sympathise that he sees our talent going on to play for top clubs. However, he would have left regardless and it's down to the club to get the best deal they can. This one seems very good.
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We have to remember that our "make-even" figure (from salaries) is supposedly around £1.2m, yet we have spent over this every season since being in League 2. The money has to be clawed back from somewhere and I believe that the Delph money was used in this way. Jacko spent the budget this season and yet PP has felt the need to strengthen again. Do you think Duke, Devitt, Reid, Reed, Fagan et al are playing for nothing????
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One final point. Some of you are crying that we have sold our potential from under our noses. Don't forget we also signed some potential too for our own development squad.
eebygum
says...
4:16pm Mon 3 Oct 11
I hope he was talking on a personal note and note speaking on behalf of the club. I want promotion this season not next it is not an option.
Cityman23
says...
4:18pm Mon 3 Oct 11
Yes, the big clubs have always called the shots/signed other clubs' players and Davie Moyes is a good coach to develop the lad's career (which is likely not to end at 'The Toffeees.') However, at one time brilliant young players used to serve some time at smaller clubs, playing in the first team for a couple of years before they got 'the big move'. Now many big clubs relentlessly pursue young teenagers at other clubs-some of whom will/some not make it. Many would have been better to go through the old-'small to big club playing process' but now it's all about 'number one'-not the best interests of the game..or I believe those of the young player either!! City might be making money-which is good news but there is justified sadness surely, that we will never see a young talent, like Delph/Cleverley etc, wearing the claret/amber-which is after all..surely why we signed him in the first place....or are we just a 'player farm' now-selling our produce without ever tasting it ourselves? Perhaps.. this is another unpleasant 'FOMFL' but football for most fans is seeing players in their 'teams' colours' whether that fits in with financial realities or not. And I believe that's how it 'should' be!
lonniejockstrap
says...
4:19pm Mon 3 Oct 11
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I have no problem with constructive criticism, but the negatrons will suck the life out of our Club if we don't counter them with positive and solid arguments. When their claims are inaccurate, can't be supported with evidence or are plainly disreputable we must challenge them.
lonniejockstrap
says...
4:21pm Mon 3 Oct 11
Waynus71 wrote:Good post waynus.
The only saving grace from the above is that posters like 'BradfordRanger' are in the minority. The majority understand why this is an excellent piece of business and why clubs like ours make such deals.
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Don't get me wrong, I do understand 'BradfordRangers' frustration and can sympathise that he sees our talent going on to play for top clubs. However, he would have left regardless and it's down to the club to get the best deal they can. This one seems very good.
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We have to remember that our "make-even" figure (from salaries) is supposedly around £1.2m, yet we have spent over this every season since being in League 2. The money has to be clawed back from somewhere and I believe that the Delph money was used in this way. Jacko spent the budget this season and yet PP has felt the need to strengthen again. Do you think Duke, Devitt, Reid, Reed, Fagan et al are playing for nothing????
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One final point. Some of you are crying that we have sold our potential from under our noses. Don't forget we also signed some potential too for our own development squad.
shaun from richmond
says...
4:30pm Mon 3 Oct 11
other nice little pay day!!
As for the club.....A BIT of money will be released for more "Deadbeat" signings............
YIPPEE!!!!
Onebrianmitchell
says...
4:42pm Mon 3 Oct 11
shaun from richmond wrote:An other (cant spell another) mindless post from the village idiot.
Great news for the LAD!!......Even better news for "LAWN"!!.......
...An other nice little pay day!! As for the club.....A BIT of money will be released for more "Deadbeat" signings............ YIPPEE!!!!
shaun from richmond
says...
4:51pm Mon 3 Oct 11
Onebrianmitchell wrote:OOhh blimey.....Its the "SPELLING POLICE"!!
shaun from richmond wrote:An other (cant spell another) mindless post from the village idiot.
Great news for the LAD!!......Even better news for "LAWN"!!.......
...An other nice little pay day!! As for the club.....A BIT of money will be released for more "Deadbeat" signings............ YIPPEE!!!!
Pablo
says...
6:04pm Mon 3 Oct 11
No complaints from me. If George really has the talent that's been stated, then he will have to move to a better club in order to progress. He'd merely stagnate with us. It's a good bit of business for us and I just hope we use the funds wisely.
It keeps being mentioned that Christie is on expenses only for his 24/7 role. I assume he's rewarded in some way for deals such as these and, if City benefit from his negotiating skills, I don't begrudge him drawing remuneration in such circumstances.
A special word also, to Peter Horne, for his undoubted skills in developing these youngsters.
moanmoanwhingewhinge
says...
6:34pm Mon 3 Oct 11
shaun from richmond wrote:Why haven't you been sectioned yet, you irritating tool?
Great news for the LAD!!......Even better news for "LAWN"!!.......
...An other nice little pay day!! As for the club.....A BIT of money will be released for more "Deadbeat" signings............ YIPPEE!!!!
moanmoanwhingewhinge
says...
6:34pm Mon 3 Oct 11
shaun from richmond wrote:Why haven't you been sectioned yet, you irritating tool? And please get that caps-lock fixed.
Great news for the LAD!!......Even better news for "LAWN"!!.......
...An other nice little pay day!! As for the club.....A BIT of money will be released for more "Deadbeat" signings............ YIPPEE!!!!
lancaster parader
says...
7:00pm Mon 3 Oct 11
lonniejockstrap
says...
9:03pm Mon 3 Oct 11
.
These young players are the assets that a number of supporters have failed to recognise when they are busy running the Club down and claiming it has no value to a prospective buyer.
BigFigure
says...
11:29pm Mon 3 Oct 11
moanmoanwhingewhinge wrote:Like it!
shaun from richmond wrote:Why haven't you been sectioned yet, you irritating tool? And please get that caps-lock fixed.
Great news for the LAD!!......Even better news for "LAWN"!!.......
...An other nice little pay day!! As for the club.....A BIT of money will be released for more "Deadbeat" signings............ YIPPEE!!!!
Bradford1903
says...
12:03am Tue 4 Oct 11
Even if they aren't lured by the promised land of the Premiership, their parents will most certainly insist they sign, as it will be more beneficial in terms of their development, and the rewards will obviously be a lot greater financially.
Some people need to engage their brains before they criticise the club, for virtually everything it does.
As has already been mentioned, there are 2 excellent articles on Boy from Brazil, about the work of Christie, and Peter Horne.
I think Horne in particular should be applauded, for developing a number of youngsters, who potentially could become some of the best in the country.
basil fawlty
says...
1:59pm Tue 4 Oct 11
Yes, many kids would have left even without the current policy, but some might have stayed and helped the club to progress up the league.
bradfordranger says...
2:25am Mon 3 Oct 11
Sack the board !!!