Edwards Fumes at Youngster`s Decision

Young attacker decides to drop a level.

Dean Edwards, manager of Pitching In Southern Football League Division One South club Barnstaple Town, was fuming over the departure of one of his close-season signings.

Tor Swann, an exciting young 17-year-old attacker who had joined Barum after leaving Vanarama National League side Torquay United, has done an about-turn and chosen to play a level below in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division with Buckland Athletic.

An annoyed Edwards told his club`s website: “Out of the blue I took a call from Tor to inform me that unexpectedly he was going to sign for Toolstation Western League side Buckland Athletic.

“The lad called me and said that he did not want to do the travelling to Barnstaple. For a young lad to say that and want to drop down a division is mind-boggling.”

Swann had been enjoying an impressive pre-season and Edwards thought he was settled at Mill Road. “He has played every game of pre-season for us, and I genuinely thought he was enjoying it! I thought he had a chance, but as I say to all players who have aspired to be professional footballers, the game is about 20% ability and 80% mentality and unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of mentality here. I can understand a 26-year-old player with a family not wanting to travel the length and breadth of the country, but a 17-year-old saying it, well I just can`t get my head around it.

“The cynical will say that we will struggle in the Southern League but the quality of the opposition he faces every week will certainly be a lot better than the Western League.

“I am majorly disappointed in the lad, and it will be for time to tell if he has made the right decision, but I think he might end up as another also-ran.

“I find it quite flattering really to think that this is the fifth player this season that Buckland have tried to poach off us, they really need to start upping their game in the recruiting department”.

Barnstaple Town Web Site