Lets face it, can you name any ex Rangers players in the last couple of years who have moved on from the team we sold them to for a fee? I know I've got a memory like a sieve, but the only ones I can remember are Justin Cochrane (Went from Hayes to Crewe after we offloaded him, and Tricky (or in his final year "Tranquil") Trev.

 

Now admittedly, Trevor Sinclair was a bit better than some of the bobbins players we've had here in the last few years, so it shocked me even more to hear of one of our ex youth players who didn't make it (probably earned a fortune while he was here though), being handed over for cash the other week.

 

Margate FC play in the Conference and are about as good at their level as Sheffield Wednesday are at ours. That's not the only similarity though, they are broke and could go under at any time if they step too heavily anywhere. So, two weeks ago they must have thought Christmas had come early when Morecambe paid £14,000 for Terry McFlynn. He is a former Irish Under 21 international and scores his fair share of goals too. Notably on his debuts for Margate and now Morecambe.

 

However, the Margate - QPR links have not been severed. Danny Murphy has now moved on from Harrow Borough. He joined Margate recently and steps up a division. Hopefully he will have better luck this time after some dodgy refereeing decisions in the Ryman League saw him having an unhappy time of things.

 

But enough of the past, what of the present youngsters? On loan at Gravesend and Northfleet are both Ben Walshe and Dennis Oli. Since they have been playing together its been won 1, drawn 1, lost 1, for the Fleet, and Dennis in particularly is receiving rave reviews.

For one of the young lads the biggest moment is still to come though. This Saturday Gravesend and Northfleet entertain Notts County in the FA Cup, and guess what.... THEY'RE GOING TO BE ON TELLY!

 

Sky Sports have chosen this as their live match on Saturday night at 5.35, so as we have no game I implore you all to get down the pub, or if you live nearby, go to the game, and cheer on the only QPR player still in the FA Cup.

Obviously all this, will be pointless if QPR have prevented him from playing but, as we are out, Ben Walshe should be in the starting Xl. Dennis, unfortunately for him, is cup tied having made an appearance as substitute against Grimsby. But his absence may help the inclusion of their ex colleague Patrick Gradley.

He moved there this season after 4 years as a (ridiculously overpaid) professional at Loftus Road. I expect our club will forget to advertise this on the official website, so if you need to know more about Gravesend, go to their official website at www.gnfc.co.uk

 

Still in the FA Cup are two other teams you may want to be looking out for this weekend. Firstly Hornchurch of the Ryman league take on Tranmere Rovers. If all goes well there we are certain of some name checks as, possibly lining up against our 2nd Division rivals, will be Bradley Allen and Mark Graham. Also in the squad is Keith Rowland but he has made as big an impact as a Bluebottle on a Jumbo jet, so probably wont be playing.

An ex Ranger could raise a big smile in Shepherds Bush by 5.00pm up in Shropshire. Trevor Challis is playing for Telford as Brentford come to visit. And they really shouldn't underestimate Telford! A good cup side with a healthy tradition of beating league sides. Toughy for the Bees!

On to other matters and I've found a player I feel was unlucky to be released in the summer playing in Division One North of the Ryman League. David Booles to me seemed to be a star in the making but alas didn't get kept on. He is now at Berkhamstead Town, and has formed a strike partnership with another ex youth Ralph Frempong.  This 18 year old, although not one I am familiar with, is the one pitching in with all the goals at the moment and his 88th minute goal secured a point on Saturday at home to Wingate and Finchley and 7 points in eight days, all through important Frempong goals.

 

Also popping up again is Oliver Burgess who is supplying the ammunition at Basingstoke Town for one time target Craig McAllister to fire into the onion bag. Again sad that a player should fall so far after showing so much promise. I guess injuries has been his downfall, or was it that he played for Northampton Town?

We had another youth here called Richard Brady who seemed like he was going places. Looks like the spectre of the inflated wages were too much for him too. Last time I saw him he was in a Northampton reserves game, but the "cobblers" curse struck him and he is now at Fisher Athletic in the Doctor Martens Eastern Division.

 

Finally this week, to update you on the walking news story that is Leon Jeanne. He has now returned to Barry Town (rock bottom of the League Of Wales after financial problems) where he was last season, so for once he is heading in the right direction! 

Leon will be hoping to shoot up the table with Barry who have struggled to hit the net this season. Now maybe they can move into a different gear, with the hope that Leon can score a few and inject something new.

 

Any non league Rangers info you can supply is greatly received, please forward any comments to the usual address...