Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
A passing showerSport
| 
Submit Comments
BEN MUIRHEAD ... Never achieved potential at Dale.
advertisement
Muirhead heads off
Richard Partington2/ 8/2008
BEN MUIRHEAD and Rochdale AFC parted company this week with Dale boss Keith Hill admitting both parties had failed each other.
The right winger looked a world beater when he came in on loan in the spring of 2007, and his arrival on a permanent contract last summer promised much.
In truth, Muirhead never delivered with any consistency. He will be remembered for scoring the decisive penalty against Darlington in the League Two play-off semi-finals, but after clinching a permanent deal at Spotland, his highlights were few and far between.
Muirhead and Dale agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
"Ben has left the club and I think it was paramount for both parties that he move on," said Hill.
"He has never achieved his potential here, or at any of the clubs he has been at. We thought we could help him realise that potential, but he was found wanting last season and again in pre-season this summer. It’s a shame because when he signed here it could have been the pivotal moment in his career. As it is, Ben failed us and we failed Ben.
"I know when I offer Gary Jones a three-year contract that he will give every ounce of sweat and blood in his body for the duration of that contract. I couldn’t be certain of that with Ben.
"As a friend, I’d still sit and have a beer and a chat with him, and I wish him all the best. He still has potential, though he’s 25 now, and I hope things work out for him."
Adam Rundle is close to agreeing a new deal at the club, though his agent is yet to give him the green light on signing, while Tom Kennedy is still in negotiations.
On the field, preparations for the new season continue apace. Dale lost out 2-0 to Northwich Victoria last weekend and enjoyed an entertaining 3-3 draw at Hyde United on Wednesday, Chris Dagnall, Adam Le Fondre and triallist Gavin Rothery on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Rothery, an attacking midfield player from Leeds United, started the game, while Michael Barnes, a left-sided midfielder, played the second 45 minutes.
The former Manchester United trainee and Chesterfield youngster will not be offered a contract and is no longer training with the team. Rothery could play a part in the final pre-season friendly, at Southport today, though whether of not he extends his stay depends largely on his attitude and application.
"Some of the young lads who start at big clubs often come to a lower division club believing they have a right to earn a living as a professional footballer, so when we demand they achieve the same intense fitness levels as our players at the club, it can be something of a shock to them.
"Michael was not the kind of player we need right now, and it’s too early to judge Gavin, who played 45 minutes at Hyde and scored."
Should Rothery prove himself and extend his stay at Spotland, Hill insists he will not be the only one on trial.
"Everyone at the club will be on trial this season to an extent.
"These players did very well last season and reached the play-offs – but everybody will be looking to see if that was a one-season wonder, or if they have it within themselves to improve on last season."
Tommy Lee, the goalkeeper who played the final third of Dale’s centenary season, joined Chesterfield this week.
Most recent 1 of 1 user comments
Got an opinion you want to share?Should the town erect a statue to Jock McAvoy?
Poll has now ended
| Card | BT Fee |
| Barclaycard Platinum | 2.9% |
| Capital One BT Platinum Card | 3.0% |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Barclaycard OnePulse | 2.5% |
| Egg Card | 3.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Loans | 7.5% |
| Barclays | 7.9% |
| Moneyback Bank | 8.4% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.8% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.8% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.20% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.00% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.00% |
|
ARRAY(0x2b7c89c27e40) 6 Month Fixed Rate Savings Account |
6.60% |
Shame about Muirhead, he was brilliant on loan in Keith Hills first season and we had so many high scoring games (5-0, 7-2, 4-0). He could have gone on to become a £500,000 player or more but his application was not there and like so many other former dale players that impressed on loan (Robbie Painter etc) he couldn't do it once he had signed permanently.
3/08/2008 at 13:20