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Greyfriars Bobby · 11-16-2018, 02:18 PM

December 2017

I thought it would be fun to take a look at what some former Wantage men have been up to since they left Alfredian Park.

Winger Dominic Todd potted eight goals in 2013/14, his only season with Wantage Town. The following year, he left for Ashford, and competed against his former teammates in the Southern Division One Central. He had another solid season, with six goals and seven assists. However, Dominic has never found a place to hang up his boots for very long. He's turned out for Halesowen Town, Shortwood United, Ascot United, and Verwood Town, and he's had to return to the County Leagues in order to play regularly. Dominic is 27 now, so what you see is pretty much what you get.

Andy Williams wore the captain's arm band for two seasons, scoring ten times in 2013/14. Injuries kept him from showing the same form the next season, and by the summer of 2015 Andy was gone, dropping down a level to play for Rochester United. Now he's with Oxhey Jets, where he's vice captain. Andy often speaks to reporters about Wantage players who impress him, such as Aiden Harris.

When he joined the club in 2013, Joe Graham looked like a future star. His career never truly took off, and as more talented midfielders joined the team, Joe's playing time dwindled. The Southern Premier League seems to be where he's most comfortable. He recently signed with Peterborough Northern Star, where he has one goal in five appearances so far. There's still time for the 24-year-old to establish himself as a footballer.

Neil Pelling was part of the outstanding crop of youth who came along in the spring of 2014. Within two years, the big number nine was on the doorstep of the first team, scoring eight goals and assisting on 12 others for our Southern Premier League champions. Unfortunately, we couldn't match Neil's asking price, so he signed for Alfreton Town in 2016. Now he's at AFC Wimbledon, where he earns almost twice as much as any man on our roster, and he's scored six times this year.

Classy Richard Ahern was a fixture at right back for three seasons. When Malte Seidel joined the team last year, Richard accepted his new role as a utility defender without complaint. At age 33, he wanted one more chance at first team football, so he left for Coalville Town in the County Leagues with our blessing. He's also developing into a talented coach, and I have an eye on him for a future staff position.

Max Westlake is a talented 23-year-old midfielder, and he believed such a player should earn more than he was making at Wantage Town. He didn't reach contract terms with us in June, so he became a free agent. Max couldn't land a gig until late September, when Tiverton Town ponied up £400/week to sign him. He's appeared 11 times for the Conference South team, notching one goal and one assist and playing to a 6.58 rating.

There's no shame in being unable to take the number one shirt from Chris Beesley, but Tom Knowles tired of being a backup 'keeper. He left Wantage Town in October, and hooked up with King's Lynn Town about a week later. He's not their first choice, either, and in his one appearance, he was dreadful. Still, he's earning 140 quid a week to sit on the bench.

We signed Roy Porter from Chesham United in 2014, and he quickly became a sensation at Alfredian Park. Roy appeared 121 times for us, scoring 12 goals and setting up 18 others. He, too, was an economic casualty. He recently signed for Stalybridge Celtic, where he finds £1,000 in his pay envelope each week. That's only a little less than what we pay our three highest earners...combined.

I always appreciated the professionalism with which young defender Josh Murray accepted his role. He would play anywhere along our back four, and never pitched a fit about not having a spot in the first eleven. Given an opportunity to start at Haverhill Rovers, Josh has made the most of it. He's even appeared once in goal, demonstrating once again his willingness to do whatever is needed for his club.

11-16-2018, 02:18 PM	#41
Greyfriars Bobby College Prospect Join Date: Sep 2013	December 2017 I thought it would be fun to take a look at what some former Wantage men have been up to since they left Alfredian Park. Winger Dominic Todd potted eight goals in 2013/14, his only season with Wantage Town. The following year, he left for Ashford, and competed against his former teammates in the Southern Division One Central. He had another solid season, with six goals and seven assists. However, Dominic has never found a place to hang up his boots for very long. He's turned out for Halesowen Town, Shortwood United, Ascot United, and Verwood Town, and he's had to return to the County Leagues in order to play regularly. Dominic is 27 now, so what you see is pretty much what you get. Andy Williams wore the captain's arm band for two seasons, scoring ten times in 2013/14. Injuries kept him from showing the same form the next season, and by the summer of 2015 Andy was gone, dropping down a level to play for Rochester United. Now he's with Oxhey Jets, where he's vice captain. Andy often speaks to reporters about Wantage players who impress him, such as Aiden Harris. When he joined the club in 2013, Joe Graham looked like a future star. His career never truly took off, and as more talented midfielders joined the team, Joe's playing time dwindled. The Southern Premier League seems to be where he's most comfortable. He recently signed with Peterborough Northern Star, where he has one goal in five appearances so far. There's still time for the 24-year-old to establish himself as a footballer. Neil Pelling was part of the outstanding crop of youth who came along in the spring of 2014. Within two years, the big number nine was on the doorstep of the first team, scoring eight goals and assisting on 12 others for our Southern Premier League champions. Unfortunately, we couldn't match Neil's asking price, so he signed for Alfreton Town in 2016. Now he's at AFC Wimbledon, where he earns almost twice as much as any man on our roster, and he's scored six times this year. Classy Richard Ahern was a fixture at right back for three seasons. When Malte Seidel joined the team last year, Richard accepted his new role as a utility defender without complaint. At age 33, he wanted one more chance at first team football, so he left for Coalville Town in the County Leagues with our blessing. He's also developing into a talented coach, and I have an eye on him for a future staff position. Max Westlake is a talented 23-year-old midfielder, and he believed such a player should earn more than he was making at Wantage Town. He didn't reach contract terms with us in June, so he became a free agent. Max couldn't land a gig until late September, when Tiverton Town ponied up £400/week to sign him. He's appeared 11 times for the Conference South team, notching one goal and one assist and playing to a 6.58 rating. There's no shame in being unable to take the number one shirt from Chris Beesley, but Tom Knowles tired of being a backup 'keeper. He left Wantage Town in October, and hooked up with King's Lynn Town about a week later. He's not their first choice, either, and in his one appearance, he was dreadful. Still, he's earning 140 quid a week to sit on the bench. We signed Roy Porter from Chesham United in 2014, and he quickly became a sensation at Alfredian Park. Roy appeared 121 times for us, scoring 12 goals and setting up 18 others. He, too, was an economic casualty. He recently signed for Stalybridge Celtic, where he finds £1,000 in his pay envelope each week. That's only a little less than what we pay our three highest earners...combined. I always appreciated the professionalism with which young defender Josh Murray accepted his role. He would play anywhere along our back four, and never pitched a fit about not having a spot in the first eleven. Given an opportunity to start at Haverhill Rovers, Josh has made the most of it. He's even appeared once in goal, demonstrating once again his willingness to do whatever is needed for his club.