Hogg cash makes sense

Not surprisingly, the move caused a few rumblings of discontent on the various City web-sites as fans criticised the club for once again selling off its brightest young talent at the first opportunity.

True enough, it must be disconcerting for fans to see wonder-kids like Hogg head for pastures new without ever having the chance to witness their talents at Bootham Crescent.

But while pragmatism and realism is of little comfort to supporters starved of success in recent years, in the case of Hogg the deal was the right one for all concerned.

For starters, the youngster was a 'free agent' and although he had indicated he was willing to join City's youth trainee scheme it was clear a number of top clubs were watching his development closely.

It was only a matter of time before one of the big guns made a move. Once they did, City couldn't block it. It was Hogg's decision alone and there was very little they could do to persuade him to stay - at Ipswich he will be on very similar terms to those he would have been on at City.

Once Hogg had indicated he wanted to go City had to get the best deal they could.

The £150,000 down payment rising to £500,000 depending on appearances they have received in compensation for the years spent grooming Hogg for stardom makes good business.

Some fans suggested if City had held on to Hogg until he became a permanent first team fixture his value would have soared considerably.

But all footballers are just one bad tackle away from a career-ending injury. It could happen to Hogg tomorrow.

Nor may he develop as is hoped and instead becomes one of football's nearly-men; the demise of Martin Garratt remains strong in the memory.

And even if the Middlesbrough-born youngster had become a first team regular at Bootham Crescent it remains doubtful City would have got much more than the asking price they have already negotiated.

Take Hartlepool's Tommy Miller, roundly recognised as the Third Division's brightest talent who has been Pool's most consistent performer over the last three seasons or so.

He finally made it to the Premiership this summer when, ironically, Ipswich snapped him up for £750,000.

That's not much more than City stand to bank for an unproven 16-year-old.

And let's not forget the sell-on clauses City will no doubt have negotiated with Town.

Should Hogg, as is tipped, go on to become the new Sol Campbell or Rio Ferdinand he could be worth as much as £20million.

Should City have a 25 per cent sell-on agreement, that could be a cool £5million winging its way to Bootham Crescent in the not-too-distant future.

Of course, unlike Hull City, the Minstermen won't be spending their lottery winnings before the cash has been banked. There are far too many improbables before then.

It makes it difficult for City fans to stomach at the moment but in every sense young Hogg's departure made sense.

CITY fans would have been forgiven for sniggering as Rochdale boss Steve Parkin fired a blast at departed winger Phil Hadland.

The speedy wideman left Spotland for Third Division rivals Leyton Orient on supposedly amicable terms during the summer but Parkin later revealed his disappointment at the manner of Hadland's departure.

"I thought we had created a relationship which he would want to develop with the club. But obviously not," said a bitter Parkin.

"His agent had a big part in things and managers have to deal with that.

"I'm bitterly disappointed because, having given him his chance in football, I feel he has done the dirty on us."

Minstermen fans, and City boss Terry Dolan, suffered a similar fate at the hands of Hadland this time last year.

The former Reading youngster verbally agreed to join City before a sudden about turn and some 48 hours later he put pen to paper with Dale.

Some would say Parkin and Dale got a welcome taste of their own medicine.

THE Evening Press is giving City fans a chance to have their say on various Bootham Crescent related topics on our website with its revamped section dedicated to all things Minstermen.

Our first on-line City poll begged the question whether supporters thought promotion was a possibility this season.

Some 32 per cent of fans think it is, with the remaining 68 per cent thinking promotion is not on the agenda.

New on-line questions are posted on the site regularly.

Supporters can log-on and register their views at www.thisisyork.co.uk/york/sport/ycfc

WELCOME changes to the rules governing reserve and youth team football should prove a boost to City this season.

Disciplinary points incurred by players in reserve team action in the Avon Insurance League or in the Youth Alliance will now be ring-fenced within each competition.

It means players will no longer miss first team matches in the Nationwide League through offences committed playing in the second string or for would-be seniors like Leigh Wood and Scott Emmerson as they continue to learn their trade in the intermediates.

Exceptions will be made for players dismissed for violent conduct.

The news will obviously be welcomed by clubs like City, who have trimmed their squad significantly and can ill-afford suspensions, particularly bans picked up in second-string football.

It should also result in an improvement in the standard of reserve team football as managers will be able to field players without worrying about them missing first team matches.