Watford News 24/7Writer: Dr Watford 
Date:Thursday December 20 2007
Time: 10:26AM
UK time is: 08:03:32
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Disloyal Harry could cost Villa £1m+
Disloyal Young Lion Harry Forrester possibly couldn`t see the wood for the trees when he jumped ship from the comforting arms of the Watford academy to Villa Park in the summer (maybe he was blinded by the pound signs flashing in front of his eyes!).
And yesterday a compensation tribunal ruled that Aston Villa could end up paying the Hornets as much as £1.2m for the England U17 attacker, who had been at Vicarage Road since the age of 10 and has yet to make a professional first team appearance for any club.
Watford initially rejected a 6-figure compensation package from Villa and their diligence could well pay off after being granted an upfront £250K for the youngster whilst additional clauses built in for full first team debut, first international cap and sell-on fee could push the figure past the million pound mark.
Aston Villa beat off Man Utd and Spurs (who already have £2m 15-year old Dean Parrett on their books) for Forrester`s signature and he will no doubt learn under the watchful eye of Martin O`Neill but there`s no doubt the lad would have benefited from some lower league experience to ground him for life in the top flight!!!
Here`s to spell on loan in League 2 in 3 years time then Harry. Reserve team games don't count as 'competitive' you know.
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Your Comments
Oh Dear... how bitter are you?
Denis_B
Have you all been eating lemons? He is a Midlands lad and wanted to come home, plus the future is bright, the future is claret and blue.
KSarge1
An England international for £1m - sounds like a bargain to me!!
bazzah
I dont agree with top sides coming in and just taking lower league teams acadamy players,I think we did the same with Barry.But calling a 16 year old who's never played a first team game disloyal is going a bit far.
Pking
That should read top flight sides.I hope Bangoura stays.
Pking
couldnt see the wood for the tree's, maybe it was more to do with going to a big club with world class training facilities and well recognised academy staff to help him learn and develope. Bitter doesnt quite cut it.
Stig
Hehehe. Harry is a bloody good footballer but sadly he does have a rather nasty 'billy big biscuit' side to him. Unlike Young Ashley, Forrester didn't really pull up any trees for the Academy side. Good ball player but I'm not sure MO'N will tolerate his complete unwillingness to track back or ball win.
DrWatford
Wow, that's a venomous post. He's a kid, and Martin O'Neill is a good guy. Good move Harry.
evoflash
In principle I don't like clubs 'poaching' academy kids from other clubs, but, it happens. The FA must make sure the club losing the player is adequately compensated for the input into the player to date. If Harry does cost £1+m it will be a good deal for both clubs (and player). Watford will have received a massive sum for a 16 year old, and Villa will have developed a full England international for £1m plus their coaching costs (a la Gareth Barry). Where I take issue is the reasons for the kid leaving. Villa have probably the best training complex in Europe and a fantastic reputation for bringing youngsters through into the Premiership. I'm sure Manure may well have offered him a better financial package, but kids have got to look at where they will get opportunities (if they are good enough). Time will tell if Forrester is good enough, but he couldn't be at a better place to find out.
krfeskivilla
Just out of interest guys how good is this Delfouneso guy that plays for England U17s and Villa reserves alongside Forrester? Seems really handy from the reports.
DrWatford
I don't like to assess kids too early, but Delfounseau looks top draw, real quality. I know MON rates him very very highly, BUT a lot of things can go wrong with youngsters as you know. We had a lad Adam McGurk who was one of the most natural finishers I have seen since Gary Shaw. 15 months ago he did his cruciate ligament. He is just back in training now. Will he ever be the same? Who knows, but at the moment Delfonseau looks like the next hot thing off the Villa Park production line. By the way, thanks for Ashley. Pure quality, that kid.
krfeskivilla
Really chuffed for Young Ashley - really grounded kid, really honest family and his kid brother Lewis is a bit special on the ball as well. Young Ashley handled himself really well over the whole transfer.
DrWatford
Yeah, Ash is top drawer. Boothroyd said some really nice things about him too. Hopefully, Capello will think likewise! Even though he has left Watford I'm sure you guys take a lot of credit, and pride, in his progress. I hope young Forrester proves to be as good!
krfeskivilla
I'm going to throw my opinion into this arguement by saying anyone who has been raised since childhood by a club and then leaves for what is a bigger club needs to take a long hard look at thnemselves. Is there any loyalty in the game?
And it's definitely wrong how the biggest clubs by the best young players, now and again it wouldn't hurt to see Man U, Chelski, Liverpool or Arsenal raise their own young talents instead of buying them.
wfc123
well its not as though they picked him off the the side of the road, fed him and branghim back to life. if he did his knee and came back a crap player do you think watford would keep him on their books or give him a huge contract, i dont think so. its not as though watford weren't getting anything out of it. there doing it because he might be a good player, and he might get some money for them in the future. when people talk loyalty i think people are talking a complete load of crap
liamo1981
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