Salm pays heavy price for doing mates a favour (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Salm pays heavy price for doing mates a favour

12:30pm Thursday 4th June 2009 in

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Questions have been asked by fans of Bradford Park Avenue due to the apparent disappearance of Andy Salm as they feared he had been allowed to leave the club.

But management duo Mick Couzens and Lee Sinnott have been keen to deter any possible suitors and clarify the situation.

Many supporters thought Salm had slipped through the net after not being named on the UniBond League Premier Division club’s retained list.

Couzens, manager of the reserve side and the under-19s, said: “Andy suffered a broken leg playing for Lower Hopton towards the end of the season.

“He did celebrate with the lads when the titles were won but he should have been a part of it on the pitch.”

The under-19s side won the Alliance League and the reserves clinched the Lancashire League East Division title to make it a double celebration for Avenue.

Salm played for both during the season – he was player of the year for the reserves – and also made several appearances in the first-team squad.

“He was asked by his mates to go and turn out for their side and it has cost him big time,” said Couzens.

“He is a very silly lad and I blasted him when I found out what had happened but I can understand why. Your friends egg you on and you can’t see the harm in playing an extra game.

“Andy has found out the hard way that you don’t need to put yourself on the line, especially when you have a promising career in front of you.

“These kids are still playing Saturdays and Sundays if they are not told otherwise by the first team.

“When Lee puts them in the squad for a first-team game, even if it isn’t a UniBond Premier fixture, they are under orders.

“I’ll bet Andy wished he hadn’t played but accidents happen and we thought he could be out until Christmas at first.”

The break may have cost Salm inclusion in the first-team squad list Avenue issued for the coming season but is not as bad as it could have been.

The injury has merely stalled his promotion to the first team, rather than ended his hopes of progression.

Sinnott said: “Andy had a bad break but we hope he may be able to start pre-season training.

“You never know but we hope he will be fine. However, we never rush players back. We always follow the advice from the medical people.

“It is a shame for Andy but I’m sure he will be back to fulfil the early promise he has shown.

“A few of the lads are stepping up, because of the good work done by Mick Couzens, and they will be looked at again in pre-season.

“The strength of the club has improved because the structure is right and players are making the grade.

“Young players have enthusiasm and will only gain consistency if they are nurtured properly, so if they are good enough age doesn’t come into it. They will get their chance at this club.”