Mixed fortunes for youngsters

It is that time of the year again where players, young and old start to find out what the future has in store for them, and unfortunately for 6 Pompey youngsters they have been shown the door, but another 2 have signed pro forms.

It is being reported that keeper Nick Jordan is the most high profile youngster to be released having maybe played some part in pre season last summer, I know for a fact he played a few games the summer before that. Also being shown the door after failing to graduate the Academy are Andreas Govas, Ugo Udoji, Steve Walker, Joe Oastler and Jon Page.

It is said that Jordan and Udoji are having trials with Exeter, Dorchester are looking at Page - no pun intended - and Govas is trying his luck in Greece, so you never know, he might end up playing against Lomana LuaLua, if he stays out there himself?

There is better news for local lads Matt Ritchie and Joel Ward though as the pair have been offered pro forms.

Gosport born Ritchie is a midfielder, who can also operate on the left wing and Ward, from Emsworth plays in central defence.

It is sad to see these fellas get released, but for every 1 or 2 that does progress you usually get 5 or 6 that are moved on, that is the way it goes isn't it. Last season we did not offer contracts to any of the under 18s, so at least we can see some development in the youth set up here, which with Paul Hart in charge has a fantastic chance of bearing plenty of fruit… all being well!

I wish the fellas that have been released the best of luck, hopefully they can find themselves clubs and as much as I would not want them to come back and haunt us I hope they can go onto good things, the fellas that have signed contracts will hopefully in time, as well as others, be able to break into the 1st team and be 'true' local graduates…

PLAY UP POMPEY!