York City centre-back Clarke Carlisle in Northampton Town switch

11:50am Tuesday 20th November 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

Defender Clarke Carlisle has been cut loose by City boss Gary Mills Defender Clarke Carlisle has been cut loose by City boss Gary Mills

CLARKE Carlisle has been offloaded to Northampton Town after York City manager Gary Mills discovered he was planning to join the Cobblers in January.

A disappointed Mills left the Professional Footballers Association chairman out of his starting XI for Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Port Vale and has decided to terminate his Bootham Crescent career prematurely by sanctioning a loan move to Sixfields.

That move will become a permanent switch when his Minstermen deal expires in the New Year.

Carlisle, 33, leaves City having made ten appearances since his arrival at the end of August after starting the season without a club.

On his departure, Mills said: “I’m disappointed because he was contracted with us until January but he’s shown a desire to play for Northampton and it was me, more than anything, that instigated the move before the transfer window.

“I didn’t want a player knowing he was only going to be with us for the next few weeks.

“That’s the reason he didn’t play on Saturday and, if the desire was there to leave us in January, he might as well go now.

“I only want people who want to play for York City.

“It’s not right for the players here who are fully committed to the club to keep him here until January.”

But on his shock return to Northampton, the former Leeds United and Burnley defender countered with a plea that his “commitment and effort” to the Minstermen should not be brought into question.

Northampton lie just two points above the Minstermen in the League Two standings but Mills suggested that money might have been the key factor in Ripponden-based Carlisle’s decision to leave Bootham Crescent.

The City boss questioned the former Countdown contestant and Question Time guest’s sense of loyalty, saying: “He lives 50 minutes from York and three hours from Northampton but there will be occasions when, salary wise, I cannot compete with some of the people in this league as York City manager.

“Regardless of that, there are other sides to the game that you hope are stronger than salaries. I brought somebody in who wasn’t fixed up with a club but wanted to get back into the game.

“We gave him that opportunity and it took a number of games for him to get fit. His performances have been okay, maybe a bit mixed, but he’s said he wants to go to Northampton and that’s it.

“Football is what it is. We talk about loyalty in the game and sometimes you get it, but sometimes you don’t.”

Mills will now concentrate all his attentions on the players still at the club and feels his squad is well stocked in the centre-back department with the fit-again David McGurk now moving up the pecking order.

The City boss added: “Chris Doig had a great understanding with Chris Smith until he got injured and I was delighted with him on Saturday. I think we are okay in that area.

“We’ve got Doigy, Chris Smith, Dave McGurk, Jamal Fyfield who can play there and Dan Parslow, who is a centre-half of course.

“We’ve been trying to get Dave McGurk out on loan for a few games but he will be an obvious replacement now if Chris Doig or Chris Smith pick up an injury so we’ve got to work with him on his fitness.”

Explaining his move back to Northampton, Carlisle said Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd wanted him to stay beyond January, confirming how Mills had sanctioned his early exit.

He also asked Mills not to question “my commitment and effort”.

Comments(49)

ADAMCUTHBERT says...
4:23pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Can't afford to loan Mcgurk out now! Unless somebody else comes in'

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Sir Alex says...
4:46pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Doig is a better footballer.

TY should be pleased.

Creates the funds to get a big striker - see Jamille Matt was back playing for Kiddie on Saturday!

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Some old bloke says...
4:51pm Mon 19 Nov 12

It was obvious, over the weekend, that something like this was going to happen. I thought Doig was very good on Saturday but McGurk also needs to be weaned back into the first team. It's a shame that Clarke's gone but I'm not sure we'll actually miss him that much. Doig actually distributes the ball whereas Carlisle just concentrated on heading it or kicking it as far as possible. Good luck to him at the Cobblers anyway.

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Colin Pratt says...
4:52pm Mon 19 Nov 12

I would offload him too. The York players were gutted on Monday night at Wimbledon...apart from Carlisle who was laughing and joking with the opposition at the end of extra time. Disgusting behaviour. We need players who care, not those who play for us as "a second job" and who doesn't care less. I was fuming with him last Monday. Good riddance. His arrogance on the pitch also lead to mistakes and loss of concentration at times. Onwards and upwards now.

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spockboy2 says...
5:13pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Colin Pratt wrote:
I would offload him too. The York players were gutted on Monday night at Wimbledon...apart from Carlisle who was laughing and joking with the opposition at the end of extra time. Disgusting behaviour. We need players who care, not those who play for us as "a second job" and who doesn't care less. I was fuming with him last Monday. Good riddance. His arrogance on the pitch also lead to mistakes and loss of concentration at times. Onwards and upwards now.
Agree with this post .
Looked good in first game or so then went down hill fast.
Good luck to him though in the future.

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RooBeck says...
5:24pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Saw him on Sky Sports on Wednesday morning at a Youth Football PR event in Manchester and he seems to be launching himself towards media work, together with his role as PFA Chair and he comes over very well, so good luck to him in this area. As for his performances with us, he did at times, revert a lot to hoofball but he did have very good heading abilities. For me, he was just a bit too slow and could be turned. Though none of our other three centre-backs are sprinters, they seem to be a bit quicker than Clarke!! Hope GM can now soon find the opportunity to give Dave McGurk at least half a game and get him built-up. COYR.

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cityforthepremier says...
5:25pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Colin Pratt wrote:
I would offload him too. The York players were gutted on Monday night at Wimbledon...apart from Carlisle who was laughing and joking with the opposition at the end of extra time. Disgusting behaviour. We need players who care, not those who play for us as "a second job" and who doesn't care less. I was fuming with him last Monday. Good riddance. His arrogance on the pitch also lead to mistakes and loss of concentration at times. Onwards and upwards now.
How can you agree with this quote spockboy2, utter rubbish, Clarke was always laughing & joking that's the nature of the guy, his leadership qualitys will be sadly missed, yes he made a couple of mistakes & was sometimes clumsy that most probably goes with his age, just because he smiles & laughs & jokes makes him a bad guy, quick excuses to slate the guy who always gave 100%, can't wait to count how many times Doig gives away the ball to opposition midfielders with mislayed passes, pratty your always one of the first to have a moan, shame you don't much about the ergonomics about football & coaching!

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tips says...
5:44pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Thanks for your efforts Clarke but now Doig is fit and McGurk ready to step back in it seems a good move for both club and player.
Perhaps it free's up some cash for Gary if he wants another player in.Would love to have Matt but don't think it will happen but he really impressed me last season

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rogue84 says...
5:55pm Mon 19 Nov 12

yep, cheers Clarke, but I don't think anyones going to be too gutted. the mistakes out-weighed the positives but he was always a decent pro and gave 100%. all the best to him.

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OLD - HEAD says...
5:58pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Carlisle was given a chance to play league football at City when nobody else seem interested. So I can imagine how angry Gary Mills must have felt when he discovered that Carlisle had been talking to another club. I wholeheartedly agree with letting him go now.

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Edsoni says...
6:08pm Mon 19 Nov 12

I'm sorry to see him go. The first centre half in ages who's clearing headers were actually worthy of the description.
At our level we cannot expect them to always find our own players but at least get the ball out of harm's way. I don't understand the clamour for TY to get back in as I haven't seen him play in months. Carlisle's replacement needs dominance or pace -ideally both but we need to cut our cloth....
Injuries to the injury prone are more likely at a higher level therefore I would have thought that we need to bring in some cover. For me centre back is more important than the other positions at the moment.
...Unless McGurk is able to bring more to the squad than I'm expecting...
I hope he rams my doubts down my throat but I'm wary of expecting too much from him and suspensions and other injuries may leave us exposed.
Nevertheless Saturday was encouraging and reminds those with short memories that we've actually got a half decent squad.

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uhtred says...
7:03pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Don't lump too much expectation on the shoulders of TY, don't forget that last season before his injuries he and Chri Smith were not at their best as a partnership and in fact TY had been dropped due to his loss of form.

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bartsimmo says...
7:25pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Let's hope he is in the team when we meet them again. Just get our lads running at him and we will have penalties and free kicks galore! And probably a few goals too!

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tomwillo1 says...
7:45pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Bit dissapointed. Thought Smithy and Carlisle were forming a good partnership at the back until he was dropped, don't know the proper reasons he's gone but we are strong at centre back anyway so it's not the biggest loss!

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duffy says...
7:46pm Mon 19 Nov 12

I thought he looked fantastic at first, very good organiser and strong in the air. However his distribution can be very poor and he has made a fair amount of important mistakes that have cost us. I actually agree with Colin to a certain degree that in the cup game he looked far from gutted at losing. I'm not that keen on players that have lost that passion to win games, I just love a poor loser, it shows they care and I'm not sure just how much he really did last week.?

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Theapplesarecoming says...
8:15pm Mon 19 Nov 12

From Northampton fc forum :


I must be the only one to feel a little disappointed by this- on loan until January to cover Artell's injury, fine, but an 18-month deal? Gutted for Dave Artell, he was in great form until he got injured and now is probably not going to be getting back into the team.

Having said that, it's good to have someone back on board who clearly wants to be here. At the end of the York game he came over to our fans and pumped his fist as if to celebrate the fact we'd hung on for the point, with his back turned to the York fans so they couldn't see what he was doing of course.

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lesweatherley says...
8:29pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Thank you for letting Clarke go its your loss in your home game aginst us he was your only player that kept "Bayo" out or we would have beat you easily.

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Theapplesarecoming says...
8:33pm Mon 19 Nov 12

lesweatherley wrote:
Thank you for letting Clarke go its your loss in your home game aginst us he was your only player that kept "Bayo" out or we would have beat you easily.
Cool story bro

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duffy says...
8:36pm Mon 19 Nov 12

lesweatherley wrote:
Thank you for letting Clarke go its your loss in your home game aginst us he was your only player that kept "Bayo" out or we would have beat you easily.
Oh you're more than welcome believe me. Has he retired yet ?

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Whitleyred says...
9:26pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Watching Carlisle over a number of games it did seem surprising that for a defender that has played at premier league and championship level his distribution was mediocre at best.

In the end he just didn't fit in with our Total Football philosophy

COYR

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alimount says...
9:48pm Mon 19 Nov 12

A total cart horse every game I saw him play. Hoooooof!

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Whitleyred says...
10:03pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Probably best put out to graze at NTFC then!!! My theory is because Clarke was such a clever lad his outsized cranium enabled him to have superior heading ability but conversely poor balance, contributing to his limited distribution!!

Think of Subbuteo in reverse or Striker, when you had to press their big heads down to make em pass. Only sayin'!!

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Yorkieroy60 says...
10:58pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Not sorry he's gone then!

Not exactly commited to the cause!

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yorkshirecalling says...
11:45pm Mon 19 Nov 12

I personally rated Carlisle. He acted as much a captain as Chris Smith and turned what was a central defender often shown up at non-league, and two make shift full backs, into a League 2 back four. Aside from his first games in which he had a power struggle with Ingham and was not match fit, he plugged our once leaky defence.

Having said that, I am glad to see the back of him. There is more to come from this story. Players at this level need to ensure what life after the game they can but it seems Clarke Carlisle has very much offended Gary Mills' principles in doing nothing but. Seemingly he has shown no respect to the club, gratitude to its staff or loyalty to its fans. Perhaps he has been sly and unrepenting levels of self preservation. That will come out in the long run. For now though what we know is that we have lost one of club's the largest wages and with good players clamouring to take his position and a need for strength in attacking midfield, this could be the catalyst for great positive change.

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openallhours says...
11:59pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Good riddance to him - clearly more focused on a media career than doing well for City. His horror show against Coventry should have been his last game for us. I was insulted by his behaviour just after the final whistle at Wimbledon.

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GreenshawGrinder says...
12:31am Tue 20 Nov 12

Was always going to be a short term signing. Good in the air at the back, but did he ever look like scoring when he went forward for corners? No.
Northampton are prepared to give him an 18 month contract, so money talks!
Would we have done the same? No!!!

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billoofyork says...
10:24am Tue 20 Nov 12

he was a monster at first but the more i saw him the less impressed i was with his distribution. TY remains the best centre half at the club. the quicker he gets back match fit the better.
can we not arrange friendlies to get him fit and back in the team? kerr seemed to have no bother getting back up to match fitness quickly.
good luck to carlisle but i won't lose any sleep

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haxbyreds says...
10:55am Tue 20 Nov 12

Johnathan smith is more of a loss

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PhilTopping says...
1:06pm Tue 20 Nov 12

How do we know McGurk is anywhere near football league standard? He's barely played for the last 18 months and, to be honest, when he did play he was very patchy.

There is a reason why McGurk hasn't exactly been rushed back Kerr-style, and that is he's probably nothing like the player we all remember. If he's lost another yard of pace, he'll be a liability not asset.

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dangermoose says...
1:11pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Good in the air, accident waiting to happen on the ground and can only hoof it. 18 months is a good deal for him becasue i don't think he will be up to it in 12 months time. However, we do need another centre back because how long before Doig does his calf/achillies and McGurk has played no football for 12 months and a lot of people seem to be pinning their hopes on him being the answer..............
.I'm not convinced.

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yorliebill says...
1:14pm Tue 20 Nov 12

another footballer in non Loyalty shocker!!
Clark Carlisle soon forgets that so many clubs have taken a gamble with him in the past with him having major problems with the booze.

well done Gary Mills

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YoRkIe59 says...
1:52pm Tue 20 Nov 12

as others have said a short while ago he was without a club or any interest and so gratefull for the chance,on your way mate we will look foreward to making a mug out of you at Northampton thats if they havnt got sick of his part time commitment and got rid of him before then.only thing is have done different is id have not played along but sent him out on loan to a conference north club.

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YoRkIe59 says...
1:55pm Tue 20 Nov 12

as others have said a short while ago he was without a club or any interest and so gratefull for the chance,on your way mate we will look foreward to making a mug out of you at Northampton thats if they havnt got sick of his part time commitment and got rid of him before then.only thing i would have done different is id have loaned him to a conference north club.

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1968expat says...
2:05pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Well done Gary Mills. Please, Please do not hound this man out of York City, this man is going to be a very good manager, just like the current players he will make mistakes, but believe me he will go onto better things, enjoy him while you can. I would quite like to see the team on Saturday as: Ingham Fyfield Smith Doig Chalinor Parslow Kearns Oyebanjo Walker Reed Blair (4-3-3) Walker on the wing, Reed in the centre. But that is only my opinion.

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OLD - HEAD says...
3:56pm Tue 20 Nov 12

We are going to miss Clarke Carlisles heading ability, but certainly not his footwork. He was a liability at times with his challenges around the penalty area. As I have previously said - This was the right decision by Gary Mills, it sends out the message that anybody who is not 100% focused on York City, is not wanted here. "Good on yer Gary".

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Whitleyred says...
4:05pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Good call that 1968 expat. The trouble being Chambers and Blair are very much first picks. Feel it inevitable we have to at least try 442 at home to see if we can force the game. Torquay are wobbling since the Harrogate Cup Tie so if we attack them early doors there may be goals to be had. If we play too conservatively and the goals don't come then their self-belief is allowed to grow and suddenly its a tougher game.

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Phil, Leeds says...
4:23pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Don't think we'll miss him, he cost us more points than he saved with silly fouls and poor clearances and Doig is a better all round player. My bet is that Northampton will regret giving him the 18 month contract. He's clearly more interested in developing his media career.

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Some old bloke says...
4:39pm Tue 20 Nov 12

1968expat wrote:
Well done Gary Mills. Please, Please do not hound this man out of York City, this man is going to be a very good manager, just like the current players he will make mistakes, but believe me he will go onto better things, enjoy him while you can. I would quite like to see the team on Saturday as: Ingham Fyfield Smith Doig Chalinor Parslow Kearns Oyebanjo Walker Reed Blair (4-3-3) Walker on the wing, Reed in the centre. But that is only my opinion.
I think you're spot on with your front three. I think we would certainly gain more than we would lose by having Reed in the middle and Walker on the wing (much better than the other way round, in my opinion). Also, it would leave Chambers to come on in the second half and run rings round those tired Torquay legs. Can't wait.

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YO1 says...
6:20pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Some old bloke wrote:
1968expat wrote:
Well done Gary Mills. Please, Please do not hound this man out of York City, this man is going to be a very good manager, just like the current players he will make mistakes, but believe me he will go onto better things, enjoy him while you can. I would quite like to see the team on Saturday as: Ingham Fyfield Smith Doig Chalinor Parslow Kearns Oyebanjo Walker Reed Blair (4-3-3) Walker on the wing, Reed in the centre. But that is only my opinion.
I think you're spot on with your front three. I think we would certainly gain more than we would lose by having Reed in the middle and Walker on the wing (much better than the other way round, in my opinion). Also, it would leave Chambers to come on in the second half and run rings round those tired Torquay legs. Can't wait.
Walker did very well playing in a deeper, wider role when he came on last Saturday. His inch perfect delivery to Smith from well outside the area his evidence of that. A busy clever player, who may be more effective with with freedom to roam than been stifled as a lone striker. I see him more as Peter Beardsley support striker than a traditional centre forward.

Trouble is, Alex Rodman looked very good out wide and I think will retain his place. So it would need to be either Ashley or Matty who would need to get dropped to accommodate Jason. Both had quiet games on Saturday.

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dazthecat says...
6:44pm Tue 20 Nov 12

If its true that he was talking to Northampton then fair enough I agree with mills getting rid.

However, I don't agree with posters saying we won't miss him. He's completely dominant in the air and yeah he might have a mistake in him, But I'm not sure the guys left behind are good enough at this level without him. I can see us being overpowered with smith, doig and/or McGurk as our only options.

Hope they prove me wrong!

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johnbyrneshair says...
6:58pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Clarke invaluable against big centre forwards, liability against speed. I agree with post about Walker playing deeper role with Reed up front. Walker has great touches and his ball on Sat made the goal for Reed. Keep Blair in, give Chambers a rest so we can play both Reed and Walker.

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PDH says...
10:52pm Tue 20 Nov 12

What is all the fuss about? Clarke was asked to come to us, he did not beg us to take him. His contract with us was only until Jan and nothing was in the offering? Another club came in and offered him a 18 month contract which gave him another 18 months employment. What would you have done in the same situation? Exactly, it is a easy decision for him, so lets thank clarke for his time with us and lets move on, we are overrun with center backs so its not a problem!!!

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tips says...
11:03pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Wll said PDH there was no guarantee Gary would have extended his contract.Good luck to him and thanks for covering for Doig and TY

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Killieboy says...
11:15pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Mr Carlisle will not be missed that much methinks. Another Ben Gibson type would be good though if mr mills deems us not strong enough at the back. Midfield is a priority though. Still puzzled by the smith loan decision but what do I know? Loan window closes soon and I'm sure there will be a couple of signings to appease the masses.

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St.clarence says...
6:39am Wed 21 Nov 12

Yorkieroy60 wrote:
Not sorry he's gone then!

Not exactly commited to the cause!
Very true,don't know when he ever had time to train as he always seemed to be on sky sports news.

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Fat Harry says...
10:21am Wed 21 Nov 12

Please, don't feed me this loyalty cr*p!

City were only willing/able to pay him for six months; Northampton apparently have the resources to pay him for the rest of this season and the whole of next.

It's a shame but that's football.

I don't blame Mills for being cautious on only offereing the six-month deal, but you can't offer somebody a short-term deal and then pretend to be surprised and hurt when they look for something better elsewhere.

We've lost plenty of players over the years both better and worse than Carlisle. Onwards and upwards.

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Budgie says...
2:00pm Thu 22 Nov 12

Yes onwards and upwards,Clarke the carthorse will not be missed.

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Bearded dog walker says...
5:52pm Sun 25 Nov 12

Colin Pratt wrote:
I would offload him too. The York players were gutted on Monday night at Wimbledon...apart from Carlisle who was laughing and joking with the opposition at the end of extra time. Disgusting behaviour. We need players who care, not those who play for us as "a second job" and who doesn't care less. I was fuming with him last Monday. Good riddance. His arrogance on the pitch also lead to mistakes and loss of concentration at times. Onwards and upwards now.
Hello Colin, I agree with you whole heartedly. I commend Gary Mills for getting shut of this character. Too often I have seen him this season acting aloof and above the rest. Here at City we want players that are commited to the cause. We don't want big heads! In my eyes he is finished as a centre half and maybe should go to westminster and follow his poltical career. Up the City.

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Bearded dog walker says...
6:04pm Sun 25 Nov 12

cityforthepremier wrote:
Colin Pratt wrote: I would offload him too. The York players were gutted on Monday night at Wimbledon...apart from Carlisle who was laughing and joking with the opposition at the end of extra time. Disgusting behaviour. We need players who care, not those who play for us as "a second job" and who doesn't care less. I was fuming with him last Monday. Good riddance. His arrogance on the pitch also lead to mistakes and loss of concentration at times. Onwards and upwards now.
How can you agree with this quote spockboy2, utter rubbish, Clarke was always laughing & joking that's the nature of the guy, his leadership qualitys will be sadly missed, yes he made a couple of mistakes & was sometimes clumsy that most probably goes with his age, just because he smiles & laughs & jokes makes him a bad guy, quick excuses to slate the guy who always gave 100%, can't wait to count how many times Doig gives away the ball to opposition midfielders with mislayed passes, pratty your always one of the first to have a moan, shame you don't much about the ergonomics about football & coaching!
Who do you think you are cityforthepremier? Rubbishing peoples posts. What should we all listen to you? Pipe down socwa.

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