Craig D

First of all I would like to see him get another year playing with us but if he requires /needs to play every week why not give him another years contract on the understanding that he can go on loan to another club if he want to ie Wrexham for example on the understanding should injuries etc to any of our midfield he can be called back to cover.
Win Win all around I`d say

I see no way we can retain him. He's a consistent steady player. Not what we need if we're going for promotion. If we had the disley of 5 years ago, who chipped in with plenty of goals, then it's be a no brainer, but sadly we dont.

Or accept that perhaps sentiment can only go so far in football. Dis is 35. It may be he is ready to call it a day. Or the club needs to free up his wage to advance. Either way if he stays that's great. If he goes that's understandable but the club and Dis should do what's right.

The only way I could see him staying is as player coach

But sadly Russell said there isn't room on that front

If he does leave, I cannot imagine he will move far as I understand he is well settled in the Market Rasen area. Having said that I don't know where his family roots are, West Country I imagine.

Quoted from oldun

If he does leave, I cannot imagine he will move far as I understand he is well settled in the Market Rasen area. Having said that I don't know where his family roots are, West Country I imagine.

He's from Worksop I think.

My point was if he was still our player but went on loan (with immediate return clause) he would cost little, play regular, and be an insurance to us regarding injuries etc, just a thought

Quoted from psgmariner

He's from Worksop I think.

Pretty sure its Tuxford which is splitting hairs a little as not far from Worksop/Retford.

He's from Retford. Sadly, he is not the future of GTFC however, we need to move on not stand still

I understand but it is a sentiment thing. You could say that for any player. And that means signing players and hoping you can find them a club to take them on loan and willing to pay a good percentage of their wages.

Quoted from psgmariner

He's from Worksop I think.

correct, i have a work mate that sees him regularly in Worksop

Why don't we sign all the promotion winning side and enter a B team in the Lincs League?

If he went on a season long loan he could only be recalled in January.

Could you not just say that in any of the other threads on the same topic?

craigs better than a season long loan at another side, If he stays, he's here to play, sadly i also think he wont be retained and if he goes elsewhere, he will be an excellent addition for another side and we all wish him nothing but the best

I like Disley, but I don't go along with this idea that he's achieved legendary status at the club.  I think you'd have to be a young 'un to think that, and even then I think it's pushing it.

I'll always look positively at Disley's Town career, but really I think he's just been steady for us from the word go, not often more than that.

A damn good player, but not a great, and unfortunately his age is now against him.

Clements, McAllister, Osbourne and Sam Jones should form the basis of our midfield next season, and I'd honestly rather that Slade promoted Harry Clifton to a genuine 1st-team option than re-sign Disley.  It's time for Clifton to step-up and knock on the 1st-team door every week now, and unfortunately Disley would get in the way of that happening.

Top bloke, Disley, and he'll be missed, but probably time for us as fans to move on.

Who stays and who goes will depend on who Russell thinks he can bring in,

There is no sentiment in football otherwise you would bring a manager back for a third term,

Oh!!!!!   we did  

Quoted from Heisenberg

I like Disley, but I don't go along with this idea that he's achieved legendary status at the club.  I think you'd have to be a young 'un to think that, and even then I think it's pushing it.

I'll always look positively at Disley's Town career, but really I think he's just been steady for us from the word go, not often more than that.

A damn good player, but not a great, and unfortunately his age is now against him.

Clements, McAllister, Osbourne and Sam Jones should form the basis of our midfield next season, and I'd honestly rather that Slade promoted Harry Clifton to a genuine 1st-team option than re-sign Disley.  It's time for Clifton to step-up and knock on the 1st-team door every week now, and unfortunately Disley would get in the way of that happening.

Top bloke, Disley, and he'll be missed, but probably time for us as fans to move on.

I sort of get what you're saying, and agree in parts, but Disley played for us at our lowest ebb. We, as a club, have never played at a lower level, where quality is low - where, frankly, the quality of players we can expect to pull on the black and white shirt is low.

Relatively speaking, Disley has been a loyal, shining light during this dark time. So yes, he may not have been a predator in the box, a warhorse in defence, a Cockerill/Cunnington/Groves type of midfielder, but his professionalism and consistency has earned him a 'legend' status among those fans who appreciate that he gave 100% and played to the best of his ability.

A different kind of legend, I guess - but they come in all shapes and sizes.

Best player on the park last week, why wouldn't you keep him? The other Pirlo didn't have too many issues playing on until he was zillions of years old!

As i said the other day, Dis wouldn't get in my all time Town 11, or even a second 11 based purely on footballing talent, but he would in terms of character, endurance and what he did for us as club captain. That's no reflection on him as a footballer because he is one of the best we've had at the level we were at. We have had more talented footballers over the years, but that was at a higher level, so it's to be expected. I still think he has something to offer apart from sentimentality and would be a good experienced pro to have around the place. No one better to come on and calm the team down to see us over the line in a game. He hasn't looked out of place in recent games but i would fully understand if Slade and Wilko are looking for younger/better options. If we are going for a smaller, more able squad, then there may be no scope for him to take one of those slots?

Quoted from Biccys

Best player on the park last week, why wouldn't you keep him? The other Pirlo didn't have too many issues playing on until he was zillions of years old!

Good point you don't write someone off just because of their age and Bignot was guilty of this, Disley showed us on Saturday he's still very good for another season he just needs games, I'd give him a one year contract no problem and play him from the start.

Age is just a number. If you are good enough, you are old enough and that applies whether you are 18 or 35.

Quoted from ginnywings

As i said the other day, Dis wouldn't get in my all time Town 11, or even a second 11 based purely on footballing talent, but he would in terms of character, endurance and what he did for us as club captain. That's no reflection on him as a footballer because he is one of the best we've had at the level we were at. We have had more talented footballers over the years, but that was at a higher level, so it's to be expected. I still think he has something to offer apart from sentimentality and would be a good experienced pro to have around the place. No one better to come on and calm the team down to see us over the line in a game. He hasn't looked out of place in recent games but i would fully understand if Slade and Wilko are looking for younger/better options. If we are going for a smaller, more able squad, then there may be no scope for him to take one of those slots?

That's the thing, though, we have too many midfielders under contract.  A crying shame that Summerfield and Berrett, for example, may be chosen ahead of Disley as we can't afford to write-off people's contracts.  Our squad is bloated and the midfield needs trimming down, but it won't be easy.  I suppose Slade has the benefit of having not got too much attachment to any of them as individuals with not being here long.

Released!!

Dis confirmed via twitter he has gone

as said before i felt a real attachment to Diz, i wish him nothing but the best, you've been fantastic for this club

Sad news

Thanks for your effort over the last few seasons Diz.
Wish you and your family all the best in the future wherever that may be.
Always remembered as a committed player during the dark times

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Gutted!

Indeed sad news, Captain, Leader and in my opinion a Legend. Hope he finds another club, and that he will find his way back to us in the future, obviously in a coaching role

Also sad to see Gowling go, he was pivotal for us last season and did a job, good luck to him!

Emotional me
I've seen better midfielders than Dizza but I've not seen that many as committed to the cause and have such an obvious love and affection for all things GTFC
He will always be a legend purely for his character and leadership abilities (on and off the pitch) during the darkest period in our history.
And to lift the trophy at Wembley was the icing on the cake for not only him but everyone - I can't think of anyone I've seen wear the GTFC shirt in 35 years of watching them who I'd rather have carried out that duty... truly deserved

Practical me - nothing lasts forever. Time is catching up with him. New manager will have new ideas. Dizza's wages could well be freed up to buy a 23/24 year old on a two year contract and you can;t afford to be sentimental. I trust RS to spend our budget wisely and I am sure he will have weighed up the pros and cons of letting Dizza leave

Craig - you are a model professional, a decent man and a legend...good luck for the future

Sad to see him go.

All the best for the future Craig. Thanks for everything.

👏 👏
👏 👏 👏 👏
DIZ!

Can only echo what most have already said.
Town great, that's all there is to it, Wembley was his day last season and I cant think of anyone in the recent past who deserved it more.
My 9 year old son is heartbroken.  

Excellent professional who always gave his all and offered that extra bit of class our teams often missed during the Conference years.

I'd imagine he'll be capable of doing a good job for a Conference team for another season or two if the opportunity arises.

Same goes for Gowling who I'm sure will be playing  Conference football next season at the very least.

Cheers Diz and thanks for the memories, especially THAT day at Wembley. Hope he gets another year at least somewhere. I know he's friends with Dean Keates so maybe Wrexham will be his next port of call.

Also sorry to see Josh go too. Served us really well in the conference but just didn't work out for him for one reason or another this season.

I've seen some town icons in my time but when I started watching regularly alot of the greats were coming to the end of their careers like groves and mcdermott. So for me in my time disley really stands out. If anyones been a hero in big games in the last few years its been disley usually via a header, always sneaking in when you think the balls missed everyone. Thought about 3 years in he'd lost his way but had a real resurgence and played his best stuff after that and i've learnt to be patient with players from that. Got a signed shirt framed and one of the signatures is his so thats great.

Hope someone puts a video of his town highlights up

All the best Dizzly Rascal. A thorough professional in these modern mercenary times and proud to have had you as a captain. Hope you get what you are looking for elsewhere.







Turn up at Lincoln though and you can forget all the above  

A massive disappointment to me that he's going. I think he still had the ability and the energy to stay in the squad for next season easily. Not to mention he seems like a totally class act.

I really hope RS knows what he's doing as he takes the knife to the squad.

I suppose each of us has our own 'Pantheon' of GTFC 'greats' and my own goes all the way back to Allenby Chilton, Johnny Scott and Jimmy Fell. More recently, I would include Ron Rafferty, Matt Tees, Charlie Wright and then Kevin Drinkell, Paul Wilkinson (welcome back, Paul!) and subsequently Paul Futcher, Paul Groves, Clive Mendonca, Jack Lester and assorted others, such as Garry Birtles, Trevor Wymark and Chris Nicholl who came to BP near the end of their careers. No doubt there are others who will pop out of my memory after closing this.
However, I can now add Craig Disley to that list from the present era (though frankly there aren't many others from the recent past who even come close for me-yet....). If for no other reason, I think Craig will always be remembered for leading Town back from the darkness of non-league obscurity. I think that he deserves, and will find, fruitful employment in the game he loves and has served with distinction in a long career. Good luck, Craig, and thank you for the memories you have given us!

You come to see how high he was regarded with the countless messages from ex players wishing him well. A very popular leader and man

Cheers for everything Craig. Superb bloke on and off the pitch.
My lasting memory will be of you thoroughly deserving and getting Man of the Match in your last game for Town. A fitting end to your time at GTFC 😃

All the best for the future Craig,

You will never be forgotten  by the fans that adored you,

My lasting memories, wigs after the game at Woking, endless photo's and handshakes with fans especially when on the bench, The "tears" thing and a number of great performances in big games including 2 Wembley play off finals, ghosting runs into the box to score.  

When you rate players careers with a club you put it into to context t which period they played and during his time Dis was indeed a legend and despite seeing various Town sides since the late 70s in my mind he's up there with the best for how much he cared about the club and the supporters.

Good luck Craig!!  

All the best Dis you gave me and many others some great memories and scored some very crucial goals Craig had the same desire as another great captain Paul Groves.

Will always be the man that lead us back from the depths of despair.

You leave with our blessings in wherever  life's journey takes you.  

Thanks for the memories Craig, You was pivotal in getting us out of non league and into the football league, all the very best to you.

Can understand why he's being let go but it's still a sad thing to see. He's a good example to younger players in the game always conducted himself with professionalism and class, always been a loyal player and leader making sure he's the first to sign a new deal when offers went out and kept up that determination to lead us out of non league which he has done. Tons of desire on the pitch and led by example.

Always had time for the fans to sign autographs and take pictures and even when fans got on the players backs never seemed the type to slag the fans off or complain he just kept working his behind off. Still think he has another couple of good years to play and hope he can get fixed up elsewhere and hope that one day if he takes up coaching or another role in football he can return here. There are not many players that people will call legends or that no matter what when they return to the club would get a huge applause but he's one of them.

Dizzy you have been a superb example to all players at the club , young and old...

Thanks for the great times you've given us , good luck for the future , you sir , are a bloody star  !!!

Love the man for all he's worth. What a fantastic pro not just a player, when he's been left out of a match day team or even squad not a bicker from him, just got his head down in training and took his chance when he's got it. I still believe he could of been a squad player had we been able to let other people go who are tied down to contracts. I really really hope he knows how much he means to this club and he's made me fondly fall back in love with town especially after last season that togetherness we felt as a connection to players and fans.

But please Craig, don't come back and haunt us on our promotion push next year.

Dizzy to get a testimonial, class touch from the club.

Definite legend for me. I was kind of expecting this news but it's still gutting to hear it, Dizza fully deserves his testimonial. Brilliant professional, totally committed to the cause, so often got important goals with those late runs, and an actual 3 fish tattoo - love you Dizza! That play-off at Braintree you could see how much that meant to him, it was very fitting that he lifted the play-off trophy as skipper.

Please please please let SP get re-signed

why not market the benift game as raise enough ie 60k and he will agreed to sign for free for a year

I think not giving Diz a new contract is going to loose more than a commited player,  he is more than well respected by all at the club by all. iI am sure his skills can be fitted in to the coaching staff to help younger players how to conduct themselves, and not only there playing skills.  It seems to me to be a false economy to let this to just walk out the door, there is more to loose here than just a player.. we came together to help before. surely we can do this again . I dont have the skills to do this  but there must be someone on here that can  

Farewell to a Legend of BP. Disley will be a name mentioned for many many years to come as the player that Captained our team to promotion from the doldrums. You sir are a Gent. Thank You.
UTMM

I'm liking Cod Almighty's contract tracker.

[img]https://puu.sh/vLthF/f507452071.png[/img]

Quoted from denni266

I think not giving Diz a new contract is going to loose more than a commited player,  he is more than well respected by all at the club by all. iI am sure his skills can be fitted in to the coaching staff to help younger players how to conduct themselves, and not only there playing skills.  It seems to me to be a false economy to let this to just walk out the door, there is more to loose here than just a player.. we came together to help before. surely we can do this again . I dont have the skills to do this  but there must be someone on here that can  

It has been widely reported in the media that Disley has been studying for his Accountancy qualifications and it would appear therefore that when his playing career is over he does not want to continue working in a profession that offers no job security whatsoever.

He may in time wish to get involved in helping with our juniors/youths or he may, like many before him, just wish to leave his football career behind and move on.

Cant think that any on that retained list has the same class to do what Diz has done for Town over the years and despite his age, legs etc will leave a gaping hole which surely needs filling. Perhaps Slade has someone in mind?
Ask AB what he thinks Diz gives to Town.

Click the link below for Radio Humberside Sport interview with Craig Disley.

[tweet]862259510622261248[/tweet]

Just listened to the interview. and couldnt help picking up that he was a bit down and the amount of times he said we, even when talking about next seasons chances. I do think RS is the right man at the moment ,b ut cant help thinking he got this one wrong  for many reasons