From the Argus...
Fraser fires parting shot
7:40am Tuesday 16th June 2009
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Exclusive By Brian Owen »
Midfielder Tommy Fraser today launched an astonishing parting shot at former Albion chairman Dick Knight.
The 21-year-old former youth team skipper, who is joining Port Vale, accused Knight of failing to support young players coming through the ranks at Withdean.
He criticised Knight’s decision to replace Dean Wilkins with Micky Adams as first team manager.
And he claimed Knight, rather than first team boss Russell Slade, was behind the decision to end his 11-year association with his home town club.
Knight was not available for comment when The Argus attempted to contact him last night.
He recently left the post of chairman after a 12-year stint during which Albion fielded a host of home produced players.
Fraser, who is rejoining Adams at Vale Park, was one of 16 players recently told they would not be offered new deals by the Seagulls.
He said: “I played 35 games last season even though the club brought in six or seven midfielders. I felt I deserved a contract and I wasn’t given a reason why I didn’t get one.
“It was just going into an office and being told I wasn’t getting anything.
“Knowing the chairman at the time and knowing what he was like I shouldn’t have been surprised. I never got on with the chairman.
“I didn’t find him a nice person to talk to. I never felt welcome under him as a former youth team player coming through. He never really looked after me or any of the youth boys.
“By that I mean he’d never talk to you if you were coming to the end of your contract. He made it hard for you, left everything until the last minute.”
He added: “What happened with Dean Wilkins was an absolute disgrace.
“It’s not about me being bitter now because I did not get a contract. People close to me know I said these things all along. The way Dean was treated was a disgrace, even when he was manager.
“I was glad to get away from it. I felt the club was not going anywhere under Dick Knight.
“He was a director at a football club but he wanted to be director of football.
“I hope the club now moves on. I’ve still got good friends at the club and I hope Russell Slade does well.
“I don’t think he had much choice in what happened to me. I don’t bear him any grudges.
“He’s a great manager who I’d like to play for again some day. If anyone asks me about him I’ll have nothing but good things to say.”
Fraser believes he can make a swift return to League One with Port Vale.
But he insists he will be wishing his old club all the best as well. He said: “I can’t wait to get playing football again.
“There were a few options but Micky being there made the decision for me.
“I want to get out of this league and I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t think we could achieve that.
“But I wouldn’t change any of my time at Brighton. I had a great upbringing there with lots of good players who are all great friends of mine.
“We had ups and downs but the year under Dean was great and so was the run we put together at the end of last season.
“I also want to say thank you to the fans. They have always been brilliant for me.”
Fraser fires parting shot
7:40am Tuesday 16th June 2009
comment Comments (0) Have your say »
Exclusive By Brian Owen »
Midfielder Tommy Fraser today launched an astonishing parting shot at former Albion chairman Dick Knight.
The 21-year-old former youth team skipper, who is joining Port Vale, accused Knight of failing to support young players coming through the ranks at Withdean.
He criticised Knight’s decision to replace Dean Wilkins with Micky Adams as first team manager.
And he claimed Knight, rather than first team boss Russell Slade, was behind the decision to end his 11-year association with his home town club.
Knight was not available for comment when The Argus attempted to contact him last night.
He recently left the post of chairman after a 12-year stint during which Albion fielded a host of home produced players.
Fraser, who is rejoining Adams at Vale Park, was one of 16 players recently told they would not be offered new deals by the Seagulls.
He said: “I played 35 games last season even though the club brought in six or seven midfielders. I felt I deserved a contract and I wasn’t given a reason why I didn’t get one.
“It was just going into an office and being told I wasn’t getting anything.
“Knowing the chairman at the time and knowing what he was like I shouldn’t have been surprised. I never got on with the chairman.
“I didn’t find him a nice person to talk to. I never felt welcome under him as a former youth team player coming through. He never really looked after me or any of the youth boys.
“By that I mean he’d never talk to you if you were coming to the end of your contract. He made it hard for you, left everything until the last minute.”
He added: “What happened with Dean Wilkins was an absolute disgrace.
“It’s not about me being bitter now because I did not get a contract. People close to me know I said these things all along. The way Dean was treated was a disgrace, even when he was manager.
“I was glad to get away from it. I felt the club was not going anywhere under Dick Knight.
“He was a director at a football club but he wanted to be director of football.
“I hope the club now moves on. I’ve still got good friends at the club and I hope Russell Slade does well.
“I don’t think he had much choice in what happened to me. I don’t bear him any grudges.
“He’s a great manager who I’d like to play for again some day. If anyone asks me about him I’ll have nothing but good things to say.”
Fraser believes he can make a swift return to League One with Port Vale.
But he insists he will be wishing his old club all the best as well. He said: “I can’t wait to get playing football again.
“There were a few options but Micky being there made the decision for me.
“I want to get out of this league and I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t think we could achieve that.
“But I wouldn’t change any of my time at Brighton. I had a great upbringing there with lots of good players who are all great friends of mine.
“We had ups and downs but the year under Dean was great and so was the run we put together at the end of last season.
“I also want to say thank you to the fans. They have always been brilliant for me.”
