Beavers fume over Pompey-bound Thompson's exit (From Your Local Guardian)

Beavers fume over Pompey-bound Thompson's exit

12:19pm Friday 6th January 2012 in Sport By Stuart Amos

Hampton & Richmond Borough chairman Steve McPherson has slammed the manner of striker Dan Thompson's protacted switch to Championship side Portsmouth as a disgrace.

The teenager, who only made his Beavers first team debut last season, has penned a scholarship deal with Pompey's academy with a view to signing a full professional terms in the summer.

Thompson, who will be immediatley loaned out to Hampton's Blue Square South rivals Havant & Waterlooville, has had trials spells at Stoke City, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and QPR this season.

But it was Portsmouth, where he was been on trial in November and December, who took the plunge this week on the club's youngest ever league goalscorer.

The Fratton Park outfit, who are in financial difficulties, have confirmed they will not be paying Hampton a penny for his services, despite his four-year association with Hampton.

It means McPherson will review the club's policy on allowing players to try out at Football League and Premier League clubs in the future.

"For the past year there was an understanding with both Dan and his agent that he would sign a contract with us on his 18th birthday, with a clause inserted that we would not stand in his way if a professional club came in for him," he said.

“Having allowed Dan to have trials with the likes of Stoke City, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and QPR and given him the opportunity to put himself in the shop window, then to receive the treatment we have had from Portsmouth and others associated with Dan is an absolute disgrace.

"The FA protects league clubs, but there is little protection for the likes of us when ensuring a fair deal for the club and for the players we have developed from a young age.

“This will also have an effect on our policy for allowing players to go on trial with professional clubs - in future we will look to protect our own interests first.

"I really believe that the FA and the Premier League need to look at the double standards in place with regards to these situations.

“Otherwise, what is the point in spending time, effort and money developing these players if we can’t do the same as the likes of Portsmouth and get our U18s on a contract to protect ourselves from the situation whereby a league club can approach a player before his 18th birthday and pick him up for nothing.

"We have been looking at this for over a year, knowing that this situation could occur and have been powerless to stop it.”

‘For a club the size of Portsmouth , paying players tens of thousands of pounds a week not to even make a goodwill donation disappoints us and leaves a very bitter taste in the mouth.

"We wish Dan all the best and we are sure he will be a success. However, the manner of his departure has tarnished what should be a positive piece of news."

Pompey put in an official approach for the Hampton player on December 20, leading to Thompson ruling himself out of the festive fixtures with Staines Town to avoid injury ahead of any deal.

Hampton first team boss Mark Harperm, who confirmed the switch today, insisted they parted company on good terms in the hopes Pompey visit the Beveree for a pre-season friendly in the summer.

And he hasn't given up hope of getting something from the deal "I have wished Dan all the best for the future but reluctantly I do understand his position, and I am bitterly disappointed in the outcome of the whole situation," he added.

“I totally understand Portsmouth's situation. They are also a club with financial difficulties and are uncertain of who their possible new owners could be.

"We have left it on good terms because I would like to see a strong Portsmouth side - with Dan in it - come down to the Beveree for a pre-season friendly.

“Dan is only signing scholarship forms for the remainder of this season and he will sign pro forms in the summer, which could lead to a fee between both clubs."