Roberts made captain plus Willock released

Pretty old news now, but there isn’t that much else to talk about now the season is more or less over. Callum Willock joined John Martin in being released from the club. Again the news was not very surprising and I expect Eddie Anaclet’s departure to be announced next week at some point. The summer so far has proved to be reasonably quiet compared to the last few we have had to endure. Last season Westley re-built what Taylor left and after a successful first season, GW plans to stick with what he’s got.

Willock never cemented a regular spot while at Broadhall Way, although his career at Boro started very well. Peter Taylor signed Willock from Port Vale half-way through the 2007/2008 campaign where he then scored on his debut in a 5-0 home win over Droylsden. However, the good start didn’t last long as Willock got a hamstring injury in the next game away at Farsley which ruled him out for a long period. That injury seemed to affect Willock’s settling in to the club and he never really got his place back.

There were rumours that GW would allow Willock to leave last summer, but he stayed on, although places up front looked very limited. The signings of Lee Boylan, Iyseden Christie, Craig Westcarr and Anthony Thomas looked to have numbered Willock’s days partnering Steve Morison. However Christie, Westcarr and Thomas all failed to impress and left before the January transfer window leaving Boro with just Boylan, Willock and Morison in attack. Willock though could never seem to break into the side. His finishing could never really be relied upon and he didn’t link up with Morison as well as Boylan. He was a good player to have in and around the squad, but he was also reportedly one of the higher wage earners and proved to costly to keep on. Best of luck to Callum in his next move.

Stevenage also announced last week that Mark Roberts will be the club captain next season. An obvious, but good choice by the boss. Roberts was the signing of the season when he moved from Northwich Victoria and stabilised a weak Boro defence. He was one of the main reasons behind Boro’s upturn in form after the New Year and will be a superb captain for Boro. As Westley said, he will lead by example and possibly take Boro to the next level. Although Morison did a good job, I never felt he was captain material whereas you feel Roberts will influence everyone at the club and help Boro get them few extra points needed next season.

Lastly the football league play-offs were played out this weekend. There was disappointment for Steve Morison’s Millwall as they lost 3-2 against Scunthorpe at Wembley with ex York winger Martyn Woolford getting the winner. Morison will be playing his football in League 1 next season against the likes of Charlton, Norwich, Southampton and Brentford. Morison will also be up against two of his former managers in Mark Stimson and Peter Taylor after Gillingham beat Shrewsbury to join Taylor’s Wycombe in reaching League 1. A Simeon Jackson, who else, goal was enough to give the Kent side a 1-0 victory. Be interesting to see where they end up next season if Jackson leaves in the summer.