11:00am Saturday 13th March 2010
By Andy Naylor
Albion striker Chris Holroyd has accused some clubs of overlooking non-league talent.
The Seagulls have dipped into the non-league market several times in recent seasons, for the likes of Alex Revell and Nathan Elder.
Holroyd is the latest example. Gus Poyet made the 23-year-old his first transfer fee signing, for £60,000 in January, after a prolific stint with Cambridge United.
Today’s opponents Swindon have Charlie Austin in their attack. The 20-year-old former Reading trainee has plundered 13 goals in 21 league appearances, including the winner against Albion at the County Ground in December, since joining them from Poole in October for an undisclosed fee.
Holroyd said: “He is doing really well. I’ve not really seen him play but I see his name mentioned every week among the scorers so obviously he is flying.
“He has taken to this level. I went away with the England non-league team twice this year and some of the quality is frightening.
“We played a Polish under-23 team and beat them out there, which is no mean feat.
“There are a lot of really good players and probably people don’t look enough. Some clubs do, some obviously don’t.”
It has been a mixed week for Holroyd. He made his sixth appearance for Albion as a lively second half substitute in Monday’s Sky televised goalless draw at Colchester.
That was followed by the blow of Chester, where it all began for him, going out of business.
Expelled by the Blue Square premier, they were wound up in the High Court because of an unpaid tax bill.
Holroyd said: “It’s really disappointing that it has come to this stage. They are the club that gave me my chance so they have got a place in my heart.
“I was at Crewe for many years in my YTS. Things didn’t work out there and I went to Chester.
“They took a chance on me and I really enjoyed my time there, although not so much towards the end. They gave me my first contract so I am grateful to them for that.
“It’s hard to believe. I can’t really understand it. There has been talk of it all season but no one ever thought it would really get to that level where they have actually gone. It’s a shame they couldn’t sort things out.
“I know a few of the boys. One of my friends, Kevin Roberts, has just gone to Cambridge and he is actually living in my old house so that’s a bit strange.
“I don’t really know what has gone on behind the scenes but I feel sorry for the fans more than anything.”
Holroyd, meanwhile, is relishing life with Albion. He has come close to a goal on several occasions and is keen to break his duck if he gets a chance off the bench again against Swindon today.
He said: “I’m really enjoying the challenge of the step up and getting on the pitch when I can.
“Hopefully that goal is just around the corner for me but the boys are playing really well at the moment so I’m delighted that we are climbing the table.”
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