Matt Curruthers

[David Holden]

As reported in the Messenger, the club made an offer to Dover for Matt Curruthers, but that bid was turned down.

 

The fee required by Dover would have made Curruthers the club's most expensive signing, and Andy has decided not to proceed further at this stage.

[JimGNFC]

The Dover Chairman's comments make for interesting reading - he refers to us being unlikely to meet Matt's terms for going full-time. Why would we employ him as full time when we are a part-time side?

 

From dover-athletic.co.uk:

 

Dover Athletic have rejected a bid from Conference side Gravesend & Northfleet for versatile forward Matt Carruthers. Dover director Steve Cattermole explained why the offer was not accepted:

 

"[Dover chairman] Mick [Kemp] has received an offer for Matt from Gravesend, but it is below our valuation. It is unlikely that Gravesend would be able to meet Matt's terms for going full time."

 

27-year-old Carruthers, currently five years into his second spell with the Whites, is Dover's longest serving current player and originally came through the Whites' youth setup making his first team debut in August 1994. He has played over 200 games for Athletic, scored 38 goals and played in every outfield position except central defence.

 

Carruthers, who last month signed a three-year extension to his contract, impressed Fleet boss Andy Ford in last week's Kent Senior Cup quarter-final at Stonebridge Road. He scored two expertly taken goals in a 3-0 victory for the Whites.

 

[Stu M]

Given the money we were likely to be paying for him and his goals ratio, while he'd've been a 'nice-to-have' I think the money may be better spent elsewhere.

[David Holden]

I think he was worth what we offered, I'm pleased that we didn't go any further, having seen his record.

 

 

[Guest]

The reason for his goal ratio is that he doesn't usually play up front. He started off as a forward but over the last three or four seasons he has been mainly used as a right wing-back or right midfielder (he has occasionally played on the left as well). The only time he plays up front is when we have lots of injuries or a resting players in lesser matches.

[ifa]

So for 'versatile forward' read 'versatile right wing back or right midfielder who occasionally plays on the left as well'

 

Havent we got enough of these already?

[Hempstead Gaz]

Definitely not worth over £15,000. Far better value for money would be Tait of Folkstone, a quick, young striker, albeit playing at a lower level.

Neil Cugley and Tommy Sampson both rate him very highly, it is always worth listen to the opinions of these two respected local managers.

Worth an offer ?

[FleetFanatic]

I'd say Tait is out of the question - has been out injured (hamstring) for nearly 2 weeks and looks doubtful for the next 2 weeks.

[old git]

having watched him at dover for 2 years he would not be any better than what we have 2 inconsistant

[JimGNFC]

Seems likely Carruthers wouldn't have signed even if Dover had accepted the offer. With Abbey out, Oli back at QPR and ROB HAWORTH absent for the Stevanage game due to suspension (according to Reporter I think!) we need a fit, quality striker and quick.

 

Doubts over whether Margate will finish the season mean its all the more important our Home games are won. With Strikers missing for 1 reason or another this isn't going to be easy.

 

Even with money in the bank, the article below reflects how difficult it must be for Andy to attract a top quality striker or 2 if they all think along the same lines as Carruthers:

 

From www.dover-athletic.co.uk:

 

CARRUTHERS NOT INTERESTED IN GRAVESEND SWITCH

Whites Star Staying Put

Friday 16 January 2004

 

By Matt Gerrard / Daniel Dyer

Matt Carruthers has said that he is not interested in signing for Conference side Gravesend & Northfleet. The club this week turned down a bid from the North Kent club for the 27-year-old but Carruthers insists that even if the club had accepted the offer he would not be keen on the move. Speaking to Matt Gerrard Carruthers said:

 

"I am happy at Dover and I don't class making a move to Gravesend as progressive for my career. I have a recently signed a new two year contract at Dover and though if the opportunity arose to play full time football I would think long and hard about it, I can confirm I will not be leaving Dover to play for Gravesend and Northfleet."

[Stu M]

Che said something along similar lines when joining Margate as I recall, and look at him now...

[Gordon T]

Fair dos to him staying loyal to Dover, but I dont see how his career will progress at any faster rate then if he joined us and started to score, thus helping us stay up.

[John@TheFleet]

I didn't think Curruthers was any better than Louie Evans so why bother? Let's face it, even Dartford would have scored against us that night.

[fat fleet bloke]

sorry john i'm a big louis fan but......carruthers was is quality ..the sort that gravesend could do with. lets pay and take that chance

[John@TheFleet]

But he doesn't want to sign for us even if Dover accepted our offer. We need someone who'se good and WANTS to play for the club. 38 goals in 200 appearances is not the sort of strike rate we're looking for anyway. Duku could do that!!