Flinders fires parting shot at Palace manager Warnock (From Your Local Guardian)

Flinders fires parting shot at Palace manager Warnock

4:53pm Tuesday 30th June 2009

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Scott Flinders has hit out at Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock after revealing he only found out he was being released on the internet.

The 23-year-old, who signed a two-year contract with League One side Hartlepool United last week, says the Eagles boss did not even speak to him on his last day.

"I know what people are like in the game now, whereas when I first came to London I thought everyone was my best mate."

Scott Flinders

"He didn't really say anything to me, even when I left," said the £1m signing from Barnsley three summers ago.

"He didn't sit me down and tell me he wasn't offering me a deal, the first I knew about it was on the internet which was disappointing.

"I have had three years where I wasn't playing and had to go out on loan but I'm at an age now where I am getting towards my prime and I need games."

Since signing for Palace in 2006 Flinders has made just 12 starts, only one of which was under Warnock, but refuses to say his stay was a failure and instead insists he has learnt a lot about the game.

"When you go for that amount of money there is a lot of interest in you and people said a lot of bad things about me but I have come out a stronger person," he said.

"I was only 20 when I came and that is still young for a goalkeeper.

"I never felt like I got my feet under the table and I have got a lot to prove as I came for a lot of money.

"I was expecting a lot more from my time at Palace and many fans probably think I have been a failure, but I don't think so, I would put it down as an experience where I grew up a lot.

"I know what people are like in the game now, whereas when I first came to London I thought everyone was my best mate.

"I have come down a league to make sure I am playing but I am sure I will come back up and prove myself."

With Warnock adopting a no goalkeeper on the bench approach, Flinders didn't even feature among the subs last season and admitted being involved in the warm up but not the match was a strange feeling.

"It's a bit odd when the players are going out at 3pm and you are still in the changing rooms," he said.

"The whistle goes and you are in the bath or the shower.

"At least now I know I am going to be playing when the whistle goes at 3pm."

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