Griffiths goes on loan to Halifax Town

by Michael Kenrick | 04/11/2015

13 Comments [Jump to last]

Everton Academy goalkeeper Russell Griffiths has joined Halifax Town on a one-month loan.

The young Everton goalkeeper, who has done most of his work for the Under-18s and is on the fringe of making the step up to the Under-21s, has had spells at Northwich Victoria and Colwyn Bay earlier this season, and will now continue his development by playing in the National League.

Reader Comments (13)

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Harold Matthews
1 Posted 04/11/2015 at 16:16:59

Good luck to Russell. Bit "Weird" according to his mates. Loves agility training,"camera shots". Played centre half as a kid but went between the sticks when the goalie didn't turn up. Favourite keeper Edwin Van der Sar. Twice on the first team bench including at Krasnador.

Dave Abrahams
2 Posted 04/11/2015 at 17:02:40

Good keeper this lad, saw him when we beat Man. City to win national cup, he was captain and one of the main reasons we won the competition, this was at U18 level.

Patrick Murphy
3 Posted 04/11/2015 at 18:58:54

The Echo reports that former Everton starlet George Green is to be released by Oldham Athletic after just four games for the club:-

Green, still a teenager (he doesn't turn 20 until January 2), made four appearances for Oldham but hasn't featured since September 19.

The League One club have issued a two-line statement on their website saying: "Midfielder George Green has been released from his contract by mutual consent. We wish George all the best for the future."

What a shame for a lad who at the age of 15 looked as if he could be one of the stars but alas it was not to be.

Peter Gorman
4 Posted 04/11/2015 at 19:55:59

Will be good to see how he copes, I've been thinking he is our best keeping prospect probably only because he looks old enough to play compared to his peers.

Kieran Kinsella
5 Posted 05/11/2015 at 02:44:58

Far from being the next Rooney, Green is Billy Kenny 2.0 only with less impact at Everton before the short stint at Oldham

Michael Kenrick
6 Posted 05/11/2015 at 04:04:09

Just astounding how quickly George Green's footie career has tanked. Never ceases to amaze how difficult it is to get these young starlets to come through and progress. With those skills, you'd think the world was their oyster. Incredibly sad waste.

Matt Traynor
7 Posted 05/11/2015 at 05:38:35

Michael #6 (and others), do you not think that partly some of the problem may be the "too much too soon" aspect with some of these "Starlets"? They lack the emotional maturity to cope with relative fame and fortune at a young age, and the parents, the agents, and even the WAG wannabes just see £££.

Some of these kids can have made their first million before they make the first team - surely that's wrong? But just as the monied clubs can throw wages at established stars to attract them, it's the same with the promising youngsters. It used to be a terraced house for your parents, which wasn't exactly ethical at the time either.

Michael Kenrick
8 Posted 05/11/2015 at 07:36:06

I know what you mean, Matt, but I assume those pressures are roughly the same for each youngster moving up, and without doubt there are a fair number who do make it (although nowhere near enough English players, apparently).

I can't speak to the specifics, but I feel sure each case must be very individual: how they react to the lavish rewards and the luscious temptations must vary widely from one to another, along with a host of personal psychological variables.

James Newcombe
9 Posted 05/11/2015 at 14:39:38

I've just seen that George Green has been released by Oldham. Wonder what's up with the lad?

Frank Crewe
10 Posted 05/11/2015 at 20:16:33

Green released by Oldham, McAleny's loan cut short by Charlton. Any number of other youngsters who were going to be the next big thing that didn't live up to expectations. Football just eats these guys up.

Maybe too much football at a young age makes them emotionally immature and unable to cope with pressure.

Raymond Fox
11 Posted 05/11/2015 at 20:56:09

Another factor can be if they mature at an early age, if they do, they can stand out amongst the other lads.

As time goes by though, they can find themselves overtaken by the late developers.

Harold Matthews
12 Posted 05/11/2015 at 21:52:19

Too many small lads being dumped before they attain full physical strength. The big muscle bound powerhouses are beginning to rule the roost. Against Sunderland I watched Ossie crushed to the ground like an unwanted bag of popcorn.

That's not to say the smaller guys can't make it. There are plenty around but they have been allowed to develop and can hold their own.

What about Everton? Rooney, Rodwell, Barkley, Galloway and Browning. Now there's a fine bunch. The only one under 6'-1" is built like a Tiger tank.

Michael McCarthy
13 Posted 06/11/2015 at 15:53:21

It's not just in recent years, young players of true ability fall away before they make the first team. Have a look at the team who won the FA Youth Cup 1965 (?). They were paraded on the pitch recently. Not only how many made the first team, how many made a career in the professional game.
Professional sport....few make it.

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