12:32pm Monday 26th January 2009
By Stuart Amos
Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Devonshire has admitted the search is on to unearth the next Ben Wright after watching the 20-year-old agree a move to Premier League Fulham.
Wright is set to complete the formalities of his move on Wednesday after Devonshire and club managing director Steve McPherson agreed an undisclosed fee with Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson on Friday.
Hodgson had planned to give Wright a trial this week, but moved quickly after the Beavers received bids from three Football League clubs last Wednesday.
The deal, which will include a cut from any fee Fulham later receive for the player, eclipses the club’s £40,000 previous record fee received for Leroy Griffiths in 2001, although Devonshire claimed it was nowhere near the £250,000 quoted in some newspapers at the weekend.
It meant a 22-strong army of Football League scouts booked in to watch Saturday’s 3-1 win over Thurrock were forced to re-arrange their diaries.
The windfall will give a welcome boost to finances at the Beveree, but the manager insisted the money had been earmarked to ensure the club’s survival rather than to strengthen his 16-man squad.
And he admitted Wright’s replacement would come from the ranks of young non-League talent already on his radar.
“There have been some ridiculous figures banded about. It is more than the £40,000 we got previously, but not that much more and certainly not a six figure sum,” he said.
“The money is very welcome, especially at these times.The credit crunch means a lot of non-League clubs are struggling, but this should make sure we are going to be okay.
“I need to strengthen the first team squad. We only have the bare 16 at the moment and Ben going means we are down to just three strikers.
“We are not going to make any quick decisions. I’m in no rush, but whoever comes in is likely to be a youngster who we think has potential.”
Hampton will also receive a financial kick back from the deal based on the number of Premier League appearances Wright makes for his new west London employers.
Devonshire, who himself made the jump from non-League football to the top flight with West Ham United in 1976, reckons the youngster - due at Fulham today for a medical - is good enough to cement his place at the game’s top table.
And his professional debut could come sooner than people think.
“As soon as he settles in to training everyday they are going to start seeing some special things from the lad,” he added.
“He has made such progress in the four months he has been here, so I wouldn’t say a Premier League appearance this season is beyond him.
“When I moved to West Ham I was told I’d be in the reserves for a year, but injuries meant I made my debut after three weeks.
“It is a blow, because we have now lost our two best players this season when you think Craig Tanner is out with a broken leg.
“We are disappointed to lose him because he was winning games on his own, he has been that good.”
Devonshire’s men made light of Wright’s departure by stretching their unbeaten league run to 10 matches against Thurrock on Saturday, thanks to an own-goal and further strikes from Shaun McAuley and Francis Quarm.
Hampton’s next four fixtures: Jan 31 Bromley (a), Feb 7 Newport County (h), Feb 9 Chelmsford City (a), Feb 14 Fisher Athletic (h).
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.streathamguardian.co.uk