New ex-players (and managers) thread

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Chris O‘Grady has joined Ilkeston Town
I'd forgotten he ever existed to be honest.

Same goes for Rushden & Diamonds. O' Grady's career is actually roughly the same length as their entire existence as a football club.
 

Departing Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater has apologised to fans and said his time at the club was a "business deal gone wrong".

The 32-year-old was capped three times by England and helped Leicester City win the Premier League title in 2016.
But he failed to make a significant impression at Stamford Bridge after his £35m move in 2017.

"Me, the club and fans are hugely disappointed with the outcome there is no doubt about that," he said.

Writing on Instagram on Thursday to mark the end of his Chelsea contract, which expires on 30 June, he added: "Injuries, how I have been treated, mistakes I have made, issues of the pitch, lack of game time… the list of excuses could be endless.

"I'm going to look at positives over the past five years, I have played with great players, coached by awesome managers, worked with some brilliant staff, met some fantastic people, lived in some beautiful places, travelled the world and won some more silverware.

"Football's a fantastic sport but this for both parties was a business move gone wrong, it's as black and white as that.

"To the Chelsea fans I apologise for how this has turned out I would of [sic] loved for you to see me at my best in that shirt doing what I love."

After signing for Chelsea he had loan spells at Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish club Kasimpasa and Reading.

He also had off-field problems - a drink-driving ban, being assaulted in a nightclub and headbutting team-mate Jota while on loan at Villa.
 
Good luck finding a club at any sort of half-decent level. From what I can tell, the Reading fans are happy to see the back of him. Perhaps the Old Trafford graveyard that is Salford FC might give him a chance.

Oh, and in his list of positives he left out the fact that he's trousered a boatload of cash for doing next to sod-all. Although this is more of a reflection on modern football than the payer himself, I guess.
 
Good luck finding a club at any sort of half-decent level. From what I can tell, the Reading fans are happy to see the back of him. Perhaps the Old Trafford graveyard that is Salford FC might give him a chance.

Oh, and in his list of positives he left out the fact that he's trousered a boatload of cash for doing next to sod-all. Although this is more of a reflection on modern football than the payer himself, I guess.
Must be a temptation to just pack it in when you’re sitting on 5 years of 100k a week surely?
 
I think his confidence got shattered by being left out of the Euro 16 squad in favor of Jack Wilshere. He is apparently a pretty complex character and that was probably a tipping point that pushed him in the wrong direction.
 
Is that a euphemism for a spoilt, entitled twat with no perspective?

I don't think that there are many clearer examples of a young man mentally incapable of the lifestyle of a high profile footballer as Drinkwater.

I sympathise with him for a lot. If your brain is damaged, it doesn't matter who you are or what you do. He's made his mistakes in public and that means he's probably had it very tough.

That said, I can't condone some of the decisions he's made or the attitude to his work. He'd probably agree.

If I were advising him, I'd get out of the game and get some professional help until he's in better shape for dealing with the rest of his life. The alternative isn't pretty.
 
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