Baffins Milton release more players after second shock pre-season friendly thrashing in eight days

Baffins Milton Rovers boss Shaun Wilkinson has reacted to another shock friendly thrashing by releasing four more players.
Ex-Fleetlands striker Matt Andrews, right, has been released by Baffins. Picture: Ian HargreavesEx-Fleetlands striker Matt Andrews, right, has been released by Baffins. Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Ex-Fleetlands striker Matt Andrews, right, has been released by Baffins. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

Goalkeeper Cameron Scott and midfielders Callum Dart and Tommy Tierney were all regulars for the club last season.

But along with summer signing Matt Andrews - one of the top scorers in the Hampshire Premier League for Fleetlands in 2019/20 - they have been let go in the wake of a 5-0 mauling by lower division US Portsmouth at Moneyfields on Saturday.

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Tierney had only rejoined Baffins less than a fortnight earlier after signing for Horndean in June.

Callum Dart, right, has been released by Baffins. Picture: Duncan ShepherdCallum Dart, right, has been released by Baffins. Picture: Duncan Shepherd
Callum Dart, right, has been released by Baffins. Picture: Duncan Shepherd

The USP beating followed the previous weekend’s 5-2 loss to two divisions lower Hayling United, after which Aaron Grimshaw, Cory Burns and Joe McClean - three more members of last term’s squad - were released along with close season arrival Max Davies.

Scott was the only ever present in Baffins’ 23 Wessex Premier games last season. He made 34 appearances across all competitions, while Dart, with 27 outings in all, was the joint- second highest appearance maker.

Rob Taw, who also made 27 appearances, is now at Horndean.

Wilkinson admitted: ‘I have been brought in to run the team in a more professional manner. I said when I first took over I’m not here to run a social club.

Cameron Scott has been released by Baffins. Pic by Neil Marshall.Cameron Scott has been released by Baffins. Pic by Neil Marshall.
Cameron Scott has been released by Baffins. Pic by Neil Marshall.
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‘I’m not saying my way is the right way for everyone, but it is my way - and I won’t have anyone with a Sunday League mentality.

‘Some of the players I have let go, their ability is second to none. They have more ability than I had when I was playing.

‘They could well sign for another team and score three or four goals against us next season.

‘But football’s more than that, it’s about being part of a team, it’s about playing out of position, it’s about putting some sweat on the shirt - that’s a minimum requirement.

Tommy Tierney, left, has been released by Baffins less than a fortnight after rejoining the club from Horndean. Picture: Vernon NashTommy Tierney, left, has been released by Baffins less than a fortnight after rejoining the club from Horndean. Picture: Vernon Nash
Tommy Tierney, left, has been released by Baffins less than a fortnight after rejoining the club from Horndean. Picture: Vernon Nash
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‘If anyone doesn’t want to be part of a team, they can go and play snooker or tennis or another individual sport.’

Wilkinson - who replaced Steve Leigh as manager earlier this summer - continued: ‘I’m not a dictator and I don’t want to fall out with anyone. What people will get with me is honesty.

‘If anyone doesn’t want to be here, now is the time to say it and I will shake them by the hand and wish them all the best.

‘Baffins have come up through the leagues and they still have a bit of Sunday League mentality. That’s only going to get you so far in my opinion.

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‘Every player who was here last season who wanted to stay has had a chance in pre-season. Some have taken them, others haven’t - that’s football. But they have all had a fair crack.

‘I’m not here to breast-feed players, I need like-minded people around me - I don’t want people throwing their toys out of the pram.

‘It’s better to have these problems now in pre-season than in four, five or six weeks time.’

Wilkinson played in the EFL for Brighton & Hove Albion prior to a good non-league career with Weymouth and Hawks.

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‘I have played at a higher standard and I know I’m there to be shot at. I know some people want me to fail, but I will take it on the chin - I’ve got rhino skin!’

Wilkinson knows time is not on his side with Rovers’ first competitive game fast approaching on Tuesday, September 1 - an FA Cup extra preliminary qualifying round tie.

‘I will sign some more players, but players aren’t the issue - I can get players anytime, but you don’t really want to be having an influx at this time.

‘US Portsmouth didn’t beat us playing liquid football, they beat us because their squad has been together a while, the players have each other’s backs, they look after each other, and they do the things their manager asks them to do.

‘We aren’t a team yet, we’re a work in progress.

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‘But if you want to be a good side, you have to do things the right way.

‘Look at Michael Birmingham at Horndean, he’s played at a higher standard too and he has all his players working hard, doing the right things - because he demands it of them.’

Wilkinson is good friends with Chichester City boss Miles Rutherford and has signed City keeper Anthony Ender on a dual registration following Scott’s departure.

‘He won’t be the last we get from Chichester either,’ said the Baffins boss.

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‘Charlie Searle will be the first choice keeper, but we need a back-up in case anything happens to him.

‘There will be other signings, as a few areas have opened up now.

‘We have a vision to take this club forward. Some might not agree with it, but it’s a vision we’re going to stick with.

‘This is a good club to be at, the chairman (Steve Cripps) is trying to look after everyone. I’m just trying to make sure we can take the club where the chairman wants it.’