Cherries: Gregory and club agree to terminate contract

4:00pm Thursday 20th December 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ian Wadley

LEAVING: Midfielder Steven Gregory LEAVING: Midfielder Steven Gregory

STEVEN Gregory could be set to rejoin AFC Wimbledon after Cherries confirmed his contract had today been terminated by mutual consent.

The central midfielder had been on loan with the League Two outfit and now looks likely to move back to the club on a permanent basis.

Gregory scored two goals in 33 appearances for Cherries after being signed by Lee Bradbury from Wimbledon in June 2011.

Snapped up on a two-year deal for a fee believed to have been around £55,000, he was often first choice under Bradbury.

But he saw his first-team opportunities limited following Bradbury's exit and featured just once from the bench this term.

Having impressed during a spell with Wimbledon which expired at the weekend, Gregory is understood to be in talks to return to Kingsmeadow.

Discussing the 25-year-old, Cherries boss Eddie Howe told the Daily Echo: “Steven has been away playing for AFC Wimbledon and getting games and he is out of contract in the summer.

“From my perspective, I would only want to call someone back if I was going to bring them into the team and involve them from the bench.

“With Steven, that probably wouldn't have been the case and I think it is best that he continues his footballing career somewhere else.

“I don't know him personally and have never met him but, by all accounts, he is a very good professional and a very good player, so we certainly wish him well in the future.”

Comments(11)

bigfatsteve says...
4:46pm Thu 20 Dec 12

Strange comments from Eddie " I don't know him personally and I have never met him". Surely all the more reason to bring him back and look at him, especially now that we are looking for cover after Shaun Macdonalds injury. Still who am I to question these decisions. I suppose any professional wants to be playing in the first team, but that goes for any of the players currently keeping the bench warm. Let's hope Matt Tubbs doesn't follow likewise. I think he's had a tough time of it since returning. At any other club a proven goal scorer would be given a good run in the team. When ever he has been called upon he has done well, I just hope we we don't release too many players, then end up with an injury crisis. Any news on Matt Ritchie yet?

Report this post »

jontee says...
4:48pm Thu 20 Dec 12

H'mm...a bit puzzling. Never met him or seen him play, but not in his plans. That needs some explanation in my book. He would have been a good stand in for MacDonald. EM should have watched him against franchise !
.
But as I said earlier, I think Gregory's heart is with Wimbledon, so for him probably the best thing. Hope he helps keep them in the league.

Report this post »

abc100 says...
4:49pm Thu 20 Dec 12

I thought he did ok for us once he settled in but realistically is well down the pecking order, scored a couple of crackers at DC, hope it works out for him

Report this post »

The Renegade Master says...
4:50pm Thu 20 Dec 12

Gregory was signed at a time when Bradbury had just had all his best players sold out from under him by Mitchell who had to balance the books after using the club as a cash cow for his own benefit.
Gregory simply wasn't good enough for League One and with the money invested by our new owner Maxim Demin we are now blessed with plenty of talent in midfield and he'd never get near the bench let alone first team. You can be sure Gregory will now sign for AFC Wimbledon, probably a deal that's already done.

Report this post »

boyerboy says...
4:54pm Thu 20 Dec 12

First of many January departures ? I reckon we may see up to 4/5 depart and perhaps a surprise return.............

Report this post »

atha says...
4:56pm Thu 20 Dec 12

What's with this Ritchie stuff.
He was touted about when young Tom was playing football manager, I've never heard EH mention him.
MB will be back though.

Report this post »

denisjames says...
5:06pm Thu 20 Dec 12

A great shame because he is an honest and good player but not good enough to make a real difference so I wish him all the best.

Report this post »

Ferndown Steve says...
9:19pm Thu 20 Dec 12

He wanted to leave AFCB - No commitment to want to fight for his place, hence EH mutually agreeing !
He is wanted by AFCW and no doubt feels leaving is the right thing for him personally at this moment
UTC

Report this post »

ifordcherry says...
10:09pm Thu 20 Dec 12

Not good enough....End of !!

Report this post »

Ashleyafcb says...
10:29pm Thu 20 Dec 12

if he was to watch them v mk dons he would have seen he was allways 2 yards of the pace id rather have the likes of bartley back than him

Report this post »

wookj1 says...
10:58am Fri 21 Dec 12

jontee wrote:
H'mm...a bit puzzling. Never met him or seen him play, but not in his plans. That needs some explanation in my book. He would have been a good stand in for MacDonald. EM should have watched him against franchise ! . But as I said earlier, I think Gregory's heart is with Wimbledon, so for him probably the best thing. Hope he helps keep them in the league.
Agree with you Jontee, puzzling comments. I rated Gregory as a strong and wholehearted player, but agree with the other post, he sometimes looked a yard short of pace to play at a higher level.
Suggests to me Eddie has someone, he considers a better player, lined up to join us in the January window.

Report this post »

click2find

Get Adobe Flash player
About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree