On The Last Train Out
With the one-year academy apprentice extension contracts winding down, it was do-or-die time for the dozens of wannabes still coming dutifully for training each morning to the Grilled clubs, and three of these 17 year-olds - one from each - would get their just rewards today in the post-season.
Foremost amongst those would be the Birds' Tay Chin Loong, with the natural playmaker picked up by fast-rising Welsh V.2 champions Welsh Dragons F.C., for S$32,000. Italian seventh division outfit Real Mascarino were also deep in negotiations, with sixth division club FC Inter Bulgaria reportedly also an option, but Tay would throw his lot in with the Dragons owning to Lee Devane's clear vision for his side.
Wings scout Lim Hock Puay, who recruited Tay after he had been turned down by KickzFC, reckoned him to be one of the neatest passers the Chicken Wings had graduated, with exceptional leadership abilities to boot. "Five or six seasons ago, he would have been a shoo-in for the senior squad." Lim sighed. "The timing was just wrong here, but he has all the tools to succeed in Europe. We will be watching!"
Next would be Farmer Bunnies' Mak Feng Wai, who went to Guinea IV.18 club Susu Crew FC for S$18,000. An exciting fullback during his time with the Rancher Rabbits, this was another case of a top prospect meeting a packed roster, as Yip De Da confirmed. Thus, Mak will join Uadzimir Zhamoida, Joonas Leesi and Bérenger Broudin at the newly-formed Susu, to take part in their journey.
Susu Crew FC were not his only admirers, with his willingness to explode down the wings, with occasional cuts inside, also appreciated by Haut-Jardin (Irish V.1), High Plains Drifter (H.I. V.132) and notably, Chilean II.3 giants ElTakamura. Susu's ability to offer Mak an immediate in to the first team ultimately proved irresistable, quite understandably.
Finally, Grilled International saw Saidi Thamin leave on a free to Czech H.A.L VII.3374 favourites FC New Monkey's. Adinath Pant admitted that he would not have guessed that Thamin would be the one to get a contract, but added that he was a manifestly unselfish player and great team glue, which might have helped his case. "Everybody likes him here, on and off the pitch." Pant said. "That counts for something."
