Moké’s move a major ‘shock’ for boss Mills (From York Press)
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Adriano Moké’s move a major ‘shock’ for York City boss Gary Mills
12:00pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in Sport
By Dave Flett, Sports reporter
Adriano Moké
ADRIANO MOKE’S decision to leave York City for former non-League rivals Cambridge has left Bootham Crescent boss Gary Mills baffled.
The 22-year-old Glenn Hoddle Academy graduate was offered a new deal with City at the end of last season after making 34 appearances for the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final winners during his first season of professional football.
But, having only made 12 starts, Moké has cited a thirst for regular first-team football as the reason behind his desire to continue plying his trade at Conference level.
A surprised Mills said: “He was somebody I brought in last summer and, although he did not start that many games, the season was a learning process for him. I think he’s a player with great ability and a great future but he seemed very reluctant when I offered him another contract. That was a big shock and a disappointment to me because I would have thought everybody would want to take that chance of becoming a League player.
“There’s no hard feelings and I wish him all the best because he played his part in getting us promoted, which everybody at the club will always be grateful for but, if he does not want to be part of what we want to do now, that’s his loss in terms of playing in the Football League and developing as a player.”
The departure of left-back James Meredith for Bradford City came as less of a surprise or Mills due to the financial package the Bantams were willing to offer the Australian defender.
Mills added: “I was disappointed to lose James because I’ve worked hard with him and feel I have improved him. When I first saw him play against Bath in my first game as manager, he looked a poor defender but we addressed that very quickly and, last season, he proved what a good player he is at full-back and in other positions.
“I thought I might just be able to keep him because he’s enjoyed working with me but he’s gone for financial reasons. That doesn’t make him a bad lad though and I won’t be badmouthing him.
“Quite simply, I feel in Danny Blanchett I have somebody better than him.”
Comments(53)
TerryYork
says...
12:13pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Feel Moke's been badly advised by an agent, going to a mid-table conference club where he may end up on the bench anyway (skill players aren't on mid table conference wish lists).
Just wish he was advised better, as he would actually have more joy in L2 I reckon.
Still, wish the lad all the best and he'll never get a bad word from City supporters.
Yeahbutno
says...
12:28pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Moke: "His loss"
Mez (paraphrasing) "He was rubbish but I've turned him into a great player. Anyway who cares...I found someone much better".
Erm, right.
Sir Alex
says...
12:42pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Second thoughts??
The Legend Of Keith
says...
12:43pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Yeahbutno wrote:3/10 for effort, must try harder "yeahbutno".
Sounds like sour grapes actually rather than "great comments".
Moke: "His loss"
Mez (paraphrasing) "He was rubbish but I've turned him into a great player. Anyway who cares...I found someone much better".
Erm, right.
Cambridge have a young team so Moke will fit in there. However, from seeing York play at the Abbey, it appears they favour the long ball route more than anything which won't suit Moke. Still, all the ebst Adriano, I'll be looking to see how you get on next season.
Mez was good last season, but before that he had fluctuated between hot and cold. I remembe seeing him on his debut against Rushden (?), he looked v shaky... but last season was like a rock.
COYR.
ian923
says...
12:46pm Tue 3 Jul 12
RooBeck
says...
12:51pm Tue 3 Jul 12
TerryYork
says...
12:53pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Sir Alex wrote:He did seem a bit down on twitter.
Moke hasn't signed for Cambridge yet.
Second thoughts??
tomwillo1
says...
1:15pm Tue 3 Jul 12
alimount
says...
1:24pm Tue 3 Jul 12
upthecity
says...
1:27pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy
says...
1:28pm Tue 3 Jul 12
tomwillo1
says...
1:29pm Tue 3 Jul 12
alimount wrote:agreed
Moke is no loss at all. He didn't live up to his cameos when he started and to be fair didn't offer anything defensively.
OLD - HEAD
says...
1:49pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy
says...
1:54pm Tue 3 Jul 12
OLD - HEAD wrote:I think his comment on Mez could come back to haunt him big style. Quality left backs are very hard to find, you can count on one hand the number we have had in my 35 years of watching city.
Personally I dont have any great regrets that Adriano Moke is leaving. Yes he could be an exciting player to watch. But he was highly inconsistent and his good performances were few and far between. Good luck to him at Cambridge, but I suspect that as soon as he is left out of the first team, then he will be on the move again. I believe he would have been better off staying with City. Regarding Meredith, I was beginning to believe that I was the only person who thought he was replaceable, until I read Garys comments.
1968expat
says...
1:57pm Tue 3 Jul 12
RooBeck wrote:Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!
duffy
says...
2:13pm Tue 3 Jul 12
1968expat wrote:No one was in the same class as Burrows, you are probably talking about the best left back in the last 40 years, name me many others that stand out?
RooBeck wrote:Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!
The Legend Of Keith
says...
2:26pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy wrote:Paddy Atkinson...?
OLD - HEAD wrote:I think his comment on Mez could come back to haunt him big style. Quality left backs are very hard to find, you can count on one hand the number we have had in my 35 years of watching city.
Personally I dont have any great regrets that Adriano Moke is leaving. Yes he could be an exciting player to watch. But he was highly inconsistent and his good performances were few and far between. Good luck to him at Cambridge, but I suspect that as soon as he is left out of the first team, then he will be on the move again. I believe he would have been better off staying with City. Regarding Meredith, I was beginning to believe that I was the only person who thought he was replaceable, until I read Garys comments.
;-)
COYR
The Legend Of Keith
says...
2:28pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy wrote:As a more serious answer: Wayne Hall.
1968expat wrote:No one was in the same class as Burrows, you are probably talking about the best left back in the last 40 years, name me many others that stand out?
RooBeck wrote:Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!
Potentially Neil Thompson as a player but in a poor(ish) team, but he ruined all that by becoming Manager.
COYR.
ycfc4ever
says...
2:34pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy wrote:jim 'lets get angry' branigan!!
1968expat wrote:No one was in the same class as Burrows, you are probably talking about the best left back in the last 40 years, name me many others that stand out?
RooBeck wrote:Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!
1968expat
says...
2:36pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy wrote:Did you mean, left backs or just city players, I will mention a few which nobody seems to mention, Ted McDougal, Phil Boyer, Mike Walker and Graeme Crawford (Goalkeepers), Ian Holmes, Paul Stancliffe and Ricky Sbragia, Tony Canham, Brian Pollard, Dennis Wann, Chris Jones and Jimmy Seal
1968expat wrote:No one was in the same class as Burrows, you are probably talking about the best left back in the last 40 years, name me many others that stand out?RooBeck wrote: Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
duffy
says...
2:37pm Tue 3 Jul 12
The Legend Of Keith wrote:Wayne "hoof it over the stand" Hall.
duffy wrote:As a more serious answer: Wayne Hall.
1968expat wrote:No one was in the same class as Burrows, you are probably talking about the best left back in the last 40 years, name me many others that stand out?
RooBeck wrote:Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!
Potentially Neil Thompson as a player but in a poor(ish) team, but he ruined all that by becoming Manager.
COYR.
David Hay would be one
1968expat
says...
2:47pm Tue 3 Jul 12
The Legend Of Keith wrote:The two left full backs mentioned on here Phil Burrows and Wayne Hall, neither started in that position with York, Burrows played in the centre of the defence and Hall on the left wing, so who knows who may end up there come the end of the season.
duffy wrote:As a more serious answer: Wayne Hall. Potentially Neil Thompson as a player but in a poor(ish) team, but he ruined all that by becoming Manager. COYR.1968expat wrote:No one was in the same class as Burrows, you are probably talking about the best left back in the last 40 years, name me many others that stand out?RooBeck wrote: Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
The Legend Of Keith
says...
2:49pm Tue 3 Jul 12
COYR.
The Legend Of Keith
says...
2:50pm Tue 3 Jul 12
1968expat wrote:Peter Swann.. although he played only a few games at CB for York, he was immense in all of them. Would have loved him to pull on a YCFC shirt in his younger days.
duffy wrote:Did you mean, left backs or just city players, I will mention a few which nobody seems to mention, Ted McDougal, Phil Boyer, Mike Walker and Graeme Crawford (Goalkeepers), Ian Holmes, Paul Stancliffe and Ricky Sbragia, Tony Canham, Brian Pollard, Dennis Wann, Chris Jones and Jimmy Seal
1968expat wrote:No one was in the same class as Burrows, you are probably talking about the best left back in the last 40 years, name me many others that stand out?RooBeck wrote: Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
COYR.
KAT1965
says...
2:55pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy wrote:To be fair to Wayne, he scored a cracking goal against Tranmere in the FA Cup. David Hay was the only one consistently hitting the ball backwards whilst kicking forwards!
The Legend Of Keith wrote:Wayne "hoof it over the stand" Hall.
duffy wrote:As a more serious answer: Wayne Hall.
1968expat wrote:No one was in the same class as Burrows, you are probably talking about the best left back in the last 40 years, name me many others that stand out?
RooBeck wrote:Having had afew days to think about it, I believe both players have made a big mistake in leaving City. Yes Moke was fast, but for me that was it. Yes Meredith was a decent left back, but not in the same class as Phil Burrows.
Once again, best wishes and best of luck to both players and to thank them for their time in City colours. Both have real potential and I think a previous poster raised the subject of sell-on clauses, esp. for Adriano, which makes sense. GM's statement about the quality of Blanchett is a ringing endorsement and already looking forward to seeing him in action, as this sounds he will be a straight replacement for James Meredith. Maybe he's a Phil.Burrows type attacking left-back - now that would keep City fans happy!!
Potentially Neil Thompson as a player but in a poor(ish) team, but he ruined all that by becoming Manager.
COYR.
David Hay would be one
1968expat
says...
2:57pm Tue 3 Jul 12
The Legend Of Keith wrote:I am unable to think of anybody with a more powerful shot on him in a city shirt, although Peter Lorimer did play for city towards the end of is career
Wayne "bury it in the back of the net against Burnley and Crewe" Hall... with the odd full blooded clearance dropped in for good measure. COYR.
duffy
says...
3:05pm Tue 3 Jul 12
The Legend Of Keith wrote:Don't get me wrong we all loved him but he did have some limitations.
Wayne "bury it in the back of the net against Burnley and Crewe" Hall... with the odd full blooded clearance dropped in for good measure.
COYR.
RooBeck
says...
3:08pm Tue 3 Jul 12
1968expat wrote:I used to think a Walter Bingley penalty cracking the crossbar and ending-up nearly all the way back to the half-way line, was pretty hard!! Going back too far now... COYR.
The Legend Of Keith wrote:I am unable to think of anybody with a more powerful shot on him in a city shirt, although Peter Lorimer did play for city towards the end of is career
Wayne "bury it in the back of the net against Burnley and Crewe" Hall... with the odd full blooded clearance dropped in for good measure. COYR.
The Legend Of Keith
says...
3:11pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy wrote:I'd say that comment could be applied to nearly all of the players I have seen in a York top... with the exception of possibly Keith Walwyn and Paul Stephenson.
The Legend Of Keith wrote:Don't get me wrong we all loved him but he did have some limitations.
Wayne "bury it in the back of the net against Burnley and Crewe" Hall... with the odd full blooded clearance dropped in for good measure.
COYR.
COYR.
ycfc4ever
says...
3:47pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Sir Alex
says...
4:07pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy
says...
4:24pm Tue 3 Jul 12
OLD - HEAD
says...
5:00pm Tue 3 Jul 12
The Legend Of Keith
says...
5:16pm Tue 3 Jul 12
If I was Adriano, I would be having some very serious words with his agent as this could leave him in limbo for some time.
Really hope he sorts himself out with a club soon. He still has a lot to offer.
COYR
arsene.about.york
says...
6:37pm Tue 3 Jul 12
RooBeck wrote:I remember a lad called Laurie Calloway in the 70's who I saw hit a few canon balls which opposing goal keepers were glad to get out of the way of. Ahhhhh happy days.
1968expat wrote:I used to think a Walter Bingley penalty cracking the crossbar and ending-up nearly all the way back to the half-way line, was pretty hard!! Going back too far now... COYR.
The Legend Of Keith wrote:I am unable to think of anybody with a more powerful shot on him in a city shirt, although Peter Lorimer did play for city towards the end of is career
Wayne "bury it in the back of the net against Burnley and Crewe" Hall... with the odd full blooded clearance dropped in for good measure. COYR.
Herrick
says...
6:49pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Whilst I acknowledge that he has to support the players he now has he does not acknowledge any part the Mez played getting YCFC into the league. I am sure that Mez's reasons for leaving the club are not only financial as Gary Mills seems to suggest but he is probably ready for a new challenge.We should wish him well, hope our new left back performs well and hope Adriano is signed with another club soon he has a lot to offer.
redbluelion
says...
7:13pm Tue 3 Jul 12
duffy
says...
7:21pm Tue 3 Jul 12
redbluelion wrote:I just don't see a place for him now. We have more than enough wide players with the recent signings. He missed the boat for me.
Just thinking about young moke i would still love to see mills give him a second chance..as long as the lad is truely sorry for what he has done..but understand mills if he don't its up to Gm now..doe's he want him back..we have got so really good players in now..we must be running a reserve side..to keep all the players fit..
TerryYork
says...
8:21pm Tue 3 Jul 12
alimount
says...
8:27pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Tug job
says...
10:27pm Tue 3 Jul 12
arsene.about.york wrote:I can remember Laurie Colloway scoring direct from a corner against, I think, Shrewsbury. Re Moke, he had his chance and turned us down - good luck to him, if the deal has gone belly up that's hard luck for him. We've moved on now so should he. I doubt the five figure sum will be significant in the context of finances from the two Wembley finals, the increased revenue we'll get from being back in the Football League, and the youth developmernt monies we will now start to receive. COYR
RooBeck wrote:I remember a lad called Laurie Calloway in the 70's who I saw hit a few canon balls which opposing goal keepers were glad to get out of the way of. Ahhhhh happy days.1968expat wrote:I used to think a Walter Bingley penalty cracking the crossbar and ending-up nearly all the way back to the half-way line, was pretty hard!! Going back too far now... COYR.The Legend Of Keith wrote: Wayne "bury it in the back of the net against Burnley and Crewe" Hall... with the odd full blooded clearance dropped in for good measure. COYR.I am unable to think of anybody with a more powerful shot on him in a city shirt, although Peter Lorimer did play for city towards the end of is career
yorkshirecalling
says...
11:47pm Tue 3 Jul 12
presence, were a major part of Mills' plans.
What can he do now but move on and stand by what he has? The same as when Billy McEwan lost Andy Bishop and said Farrell was a better player. He doesn't believe it but he knows he must have the resolve to make it happen to progress.
I personally think it is a set back Mills will get over. He is determined to make himself a winning team in the league. If this left back fails, he will scour the Earth for another. To him no man is as important as his success and if anyone defies that for reasons he cannot fathom (I.e. not the likes of Jonathan Smith whose moves mirror his own ambition and so are welcome back), they are no longer in his plans. He pities or is offended by their lack of vision. We will move on and I believe continue to prosper with Mills.
1968expat
says...
3:20am Wed 4 Jul 12
1968expat
says...
3:20am Wed 4 Jul 12
1968expat
says...
3:22am Wed 4 Jul 12
1968expat wrote:Whoops! Sorry.
The other day I was watching a programme on TV in Thailand and it was based on Martin O' Neil and the Sunderland player was saying how he builds you up/telling you what a good player you are and your confidence grows and I thought this is exactly what Walker was saying about Mills on this website a few weeks ago. Both played under the great Brian Clough and this is what Clough did as a manager, but had know time for players whose heart was not in the club.
KAT1965
says...
8:14am Wed 4 Jul 12
Sir Alex
says...
8:29am Wed 4 Jul 12
brahma
says...
9:01am Wed 4 Jul 12
KAT1965 wrote:This is wrong on two counts. The club are still entitled to a compensation payment if he signs for someone else in England or Wales, as long as the offer remains on the table. If the offer is reduced, Moke can leave without any other club needing to pay the compensation. This is because you cannot in law make a revised offer without first withdrawing the original one. And in withdrawing the original offer the club would create a window in which there was no contract on offer.
Putting emotion aside for one moment - The club are now entitled to offer him a lesser deal, especially as they are not getting a compensation payment. A few flashes of brilliance a season aren't worth the hype that is currently going on at the moment!!
KAT1965
says...
9:50am Wed 4 Jul 12
brahma wrote:This assumes that somebody wants a player with a supposed injury. I am fully aware of the minutiae of Contract Law - just didn't feel the need to talk at length about it. If York are his only option he is in a cleft stick!!!!
KAT1965 wrote:This is wrong on two counts. The club are still entitled to a compensation payment if he signs for someone else in England or Wales, as long as the offer remains on the table. If the offer is reduced, Moke can leave without any other club needing to pay the compensation. This is because you cannot in law make a revised offer without first withdrawing the original one. And in withdrawing the original offer the club would create a window in which there was no contract on offer.
Putting emotion aside for one moment - The club are now entitled to offer him a lesser deal, especially as they are not getting a compensation payment. A few flashes of brilliance a season aren't worth the hype that is currently going on at the moment!!
Peppa07
says...
11:09am Wed 4 Jul 12
YoRkIe59
says...
12:22pm Wed 4 Jul 12
1968expat
says...
11:28am Thu 5 Jul 12

tips says...
12:10pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Thanks for helping us get back to the League Adriano and good luck in the future