Ed Smith

[GlenSTFC]

For those who haven't seen it yet, Ed's tweets just an hour ago confirm it was down to him that led to his departure:

 

...I left the club with no other option but for us to part ways and I regret the way things have finished. Hope you have a great end to the season #COYR

[Reading Rebel]

From the club statement:

 

"Ed would be the first to admit that this has not been his best season on the pitch" - that is with only 8 goals from the last 12 games - 66.6% which is higher than his overall average whilst at the club.

 

"The club will not be making any further comment" - good to keep the fans onside!!!

 

If this is money saving, with Smith on a contract, will other contract players be dropped?

 

 

I think they mean over the course of the season i.e. injuries etc.

 

What's happened is obviously something personal that needs to be kept in house which, for me, is understandable.

 

I don't think it's anything to do with money. Are there any other players on contracts? I doubt it.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Reading Rebel

[Reading Rebel]

Didn't know Ed was on contract when was that announced or is just terrace talk?

 

 

Glen, it's not terrace talk.

 

It was revealed some time ago, can't remember how but I'm sure it was from the horses mouth. 

[Stuntman Mark]

No man is bigger than the club and if it is conduct related then I back the decision.

 

Having said that, what a great striker he's been for us over recent years. Good luck Ed.

[Graham Cox]

Absolutely gutted about this one but the first thing is to thank Ed for his time and performances for us and to wish him all the best for the future.

 

A great guy who was always ready to talk to us fans, especially to update us on his recovery from injuries !

 

We will miss him and I am sure the terrace talk will give 20 reasons why he went , when what would be nicer is to know the real reason.

[Curtis]

There have been a few posts on Twitter by Ed.

[Reading Rebel]

Absolutely gutted about this one but the first thing is to thank Ed for his time and performances for us and to wish him all the best for the future.

 

A great guy who was always ready to talk to us fans, especially to update us on his recovery from injuries !

 

We will miss him and I am sure the terrace talk will give 20 reasons why he went , when what would be nicer is to know the real reason.

 

 

Graham, going by Ed Smith's tweets it looks like the club were put in a position where they had no alternative and by mutual consent his contract was terminated.

 

A great shame as he was approaching 100 goals for the club but as had been said no player is bigger than the club. 

[Graham Cox]

Still seems to me it was hardly cordial and that he is pretty unhappy about something..............like most of us, I trust our managers, but still wonder......................

[Reading Rebel]

Still seems to me it was hardly cordial and that he is pretty unhappy about something..............like most of us, I trust our managers, but still wonder......................

 

 

Having said that he does say that he regrets whatever did happen.

 

One things for certain it wouldn't have been something trivial.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Reading Rebel

[kirk]

Cannot believe its the 3G pitch, because he could still have seen the season out.Probably more to do with ego on either or both sides.

[Reading Rebel]

Cannot believe its the 3G pitch, because he could still have seen the season out.Probably more to do with ego on either or both sides.

 

 

Certainly agree with your 3G pitch assumption.

 

I really don't think our managers would let egos cloud their decision making.

[Radders]

Sorry but I find the statement on our website hugely disappointing. I had some reservations with ed near the start of his spell with us but this comes as a total shock. I think someone who has done so much for the club deserves better than a statement which seems to indirectly cite a lack of professionalism. Best of luck smithy, gutted you never made the 100.

[Radders]

Also have I missed something about coyney?

[Mr Rebel]

Radders, it was stated on a youtube interview that Coyne had worries about his own fitness and was struggling to get as fit as he wanted. He will likely play rest of the season elsewhere presumably Ascot.

 

Shame that smithy has departed in this way but fair play to him admitting it was his fault. Can't imagine the decision was taken lightly but if it done for good of the club then I can't complain.

 

Good luck to him wherever he ends up

[Hammer_rebel]

As much as I like ed seems a bit weird to me! Ed is not saying very much other than he is at fault, the fact that he is saying very little, leads me to think something serious has happened, as I doubt they would get rid of him otherwise!!!! I trust our managers maybe every one else needs to show the same faith!

[3spirit]

As much as I like ed seems a bit weird to me! Ed is not saying very much other than he is at fault, the fact that he is saying very little, leads me to think something serious has happened, as I doubt they would get rid of him otherwise!!!! I trust our managers maybe every one else needs to show the same faith!

 

I agree HR, however disappointing Ed's departure is.

 

That said, as supporters we all have our favourite players and while not necessarily in this case, some managers do make hasty or down right wrong decisions, when letting our best players go.

As have been proved over the years.

 

Can't see us getting anyone as good as Ed Smith in this season but I have faith that next season our managers/chairman will deliver a team even better than this season's one.

 

Well, that's what I hope ! ha ha !  

[Martin]

Can't say I am surprised. Personally expected Ed to leave in the last couple of close seasons. That is not to say he isn't a very good player and an excellent striker which he is.

 

Been a fantastic player for the club with an excellent goals to game ratio.

 

He will take some replacing for next season. As underrated as Hatchet is, I am not sure he any Barney would be potent enough. Be interesting to see comings and goings over the summer.

 

All the best to Ed and like many of our old boys he'll always be welcome back at the new ground to cheer on the XI in the shirts that day.

[Sloughboy]

Hatchet is nowhere near good enough to lead the line of a top half or dare I say it play off chaser in this league. Underrated or not anyone who says that is deluding themselves. No chance any team in the play of mix would have him in their sides...

 

Makes losing Ed more disappointing but Hatchett will get a game now at least to show everyone the unrivalled faith the managers are in him!

[3spirit]

Hatchet is nowhere near good enough to lead the line of a top half or dare I say it play off chaser in this league. Underrated or not anyone who says that is deluding themselves. No chance any team in the play of mix would have him in their sides...

 

Makes losing Ed more disappointing but Hatchett will get a game now at least to show everyone the unrivalled faith the managers are in him!

 

While I agree with what you say in your first paragraph, Sloughboy, I don't think we should be so cut and dry, how we view Hatchet in terms of what he brings to the team.

 

To me he is a very important member of the squad and his versatility and willingness to play anywhere and to the manager's instructions is a credit to him, and excellent for team spirit.

He also always gives his all, something Ed wasn't always good at.

Of course, you cannot compare Ed with Scott, as both have very different football styles to each other but we shouldn't underestimate the value Scott has brought to our side since he's been at the club.

 

Think Bakes will laugh when he sees this post, as he knows I've not always been on the same page as him on the merits of Hatchett but one thing both of us will agree on, is it's not always about our ' star' performers.

Football is a team game and getting the right blend of personnel for a squad is key to it's success.

 

Hatchett is a valued member of our squad. 

[Sloughboy]

Agree he is a valued member of our squad, that's my point... Our squad which is a lower midtable side. Everyone loves a hard worker and a trier, I just think we need better than a valued hard working nice lad grafter. Im sure the managers will be on to quote stats about his goals or how hard a time he gives defenders etc, he is a good player for what we are and that's a very very average team at this level. Our managers philosophy is to get rid or not sign any difficult characters unless they conform, every team needs a maverick or two that can win you a game at the drop of s hat and need handling differently, look back at the better sides around and they have them.

 

I stress I don't know what Ed has done so I'm not saying i would have kept him or not, my opinion is would love to see us take a risk or two and not be so rigid.

 

Anyway, such a shame about Eddie and wish him very well and thanks for the goals and memories.