Hall appears to be on his way

9:30am Wednesday 4th July 2012 in Albion By Brian Owen

Grant Hall has not signed a new contract Grant Hall has not signed a new contract

Grant Hall has left his new Albion contract unsigned.

Now boss Gus Poyet admits the club have almost certainly seen the last of the young defender.

Hall was offered a three-year deal by the Seagulls after showing promise for the development squad and in limited senior outings last season.

The 20-year-old centre-back, who has been linked with Spurs, now becomes a free agent although Albion are eligible for compensation from the club who sign him as he is under 24.

Asked if Hall could be back, Poyet said: “We know nothing. It doesn’t look at all like it. It would be very strange if he came back now.”

Hall came off the bench in the 3-0 win over ten-man Southampton in January and started home and away against Wrexham in the FA Cup.

Comments(55)

dave from bexill says...
9:38am Wed 4 Jul 12

Oh dear. Any chance of some good news soon?

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Mark Dixon says...
9:43am Wed 4 Jul 12

Yes not the start to a tough season ahead, one left and the other refusing to train plus all quiet on the transfer front.

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Alan G Skinner says...
9:44am Wed 4 Jul 12

Astonishing in these times of acute austerity, to turn your back on a Three-Year Contract. Especially for a player who has played only a hand full of games in the Championship. Well, I guess we will have to "take the money" and move on.

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JollyRoger says...
9:49am Wed 4 Jul 12

Can't help but feel he will simply be sitting on the sidelines of whichever club he goes to. If he doesn't get to play for us, what makes him think he'll be a starter at Spurs?

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Alan G Skinner says...
9:50am Wed 4 Jul 12

dave from bexill wrote:
Oh dear. Any chance of some good news soon?
We are the tenth biggest club in the country, in terms of season ticket sales. I guess that qualifies as good news, albiet old news!

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markymark03 says...
9:52am Wed 4 Jul 12

I'm predicting that GH's ego will be his biggest downfall. He could disappear off of the radar now.

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Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit says...
10:04am Wed 4 Jul 12

markymark03 wrote:
I'm predicting that GH's ego will be his biggest downfall. He could disappear off of the radar now.
It's certainly an odd one; especially when you compare Hall's attitude with Foster-Caskey's. You'd have thought that at this stage in what could be a promising career a club like Brighton would be the ideal place for a player like Hall. We're not a 'Neanderthal' club in the way we train our youngsters, and surely being here with a genuine chance of first team football is better than disappearing into the depths of being a Premiership squad player? Or maybe he wants to go somewhere like Accrington Stanley where he can be the star?

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Willie, Willie Irvine says...
10:08am Wed 4 Jul 12

Seems a bit harsh slagging the player off. There must be another club interested whose managment or scouts have seen enough potential to make a move. Time will tell whether it's a good move for the lad, but I still think the Albion have been caught sleeping on this one.

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Wooah Wooah says...
10:09am Wed 4 Jul 12

Or maybe he just hasn't made his mind up yet and is waiting to see what other offers he gets? Spurs have a new manager and Grant Hall isn't going to be top of his to-do list. But in any event, he isn't top of the pecking order for centre back at Albion and I can't blame him for testing the market.

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South Stand Tranny says...
10:32am Wed 4 Jul 12

Don't panic!

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Gee Jay says...
10:36am Wed 4 Jul 12

An agent would have tempted him with a much bigger wage packet at another club (he will know where he is going).
Albion have a wage structure, which will have been up to a certain limit for a fourth choice central defender, and they have to stick to it.
Plenty of Albion players have chosen to go elsewhere for a bit more money, but end up as just squad members or bench warmers at best.

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albion seagull says...
10:41am Wed 4 Jul 12

It's says on the back of the argus were close to another signing thanks to season ticket sales !!! Could be good news.

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Albion fan in London says...
10:46am Wed 4 Jul 12

dave from bexill wrote:
Oh dear. Any chance of some good news soon?
Seriously Dave Im with you on that one, its been a slightly negative week hasnt it! Even though we are top 10 for season ticket holders within english football Im not sure what sort of team we will be watching next season. Im sure the new signings will be worth the wait!!!

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Grendel says...
10:54am Wed 4 Jul 12

Disappointing. Talented player from what I saw. Very impressed with him.

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football's coming home says...
10:57am Wed 4 Jul 12

Keep calm and watch the tennis.

Still more than six weeks until the League kicks off. By that time we will have a squad more than capable of competing for promotion.

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heathgate says...
11:07am Wed 4 Jul 12

I am just wondering if he couldnt have been involved a bit more, I suspect that leaving him largely ignored in the Dev squad after some promising mid season games, may have made his mind up for him. I fear for Toby the Viking too, will we spend a lot of time and effort 'developing' these players then have them pop off elsewhere when they get a bit tired of not being involved at 1st team level?..... I hope not.

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Dr Baldhead says...
11:10am Wed 4 Jul 12

Let him go.... we'll take the money and focus on players who want to wear the stripes. If being involved in the set up of a club so clearly on the up doesn't do it for Mr Hall, then he must have ideas above his station and from what I've seen to date, his ability

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davidinsouthampton says...
11:20am Wed 4 Jul 12

Presuming it is Tottenham, according to the Guardian today, Mr Villas-Boas is going to instigate a massive squad clear out and shake up there. Does that make it a good or a bad place to go..... or does it mean that nothing is likely to happen soon in that area anyway?

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kumquat says...
11:29am Wed 4 Jul 12

Is it just me or from that answer does it sound like Gus thought the Argus were asking about Vicente?

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pjwilk says...
11:33am Wed 4 Jul 12

Plenty of news on whats not happening or whos going.We need some pick me ups soon.

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markymark03 says...
11:55am Wed 4 Jul 12

pjwilk wrote:
Plenty of news on whats not happening or whos going.We need some pick me ups soon.
Its difficult with Gus though, we all know he likes to play his cards close to his chest. Who saw Bruno Coming?

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Hovite says...
11:59am Wed 4 Jul 12

heathgate wrote:
I am just wondering if he couldnt have been involved a bit more, I suspect that leaving him largely ignored in the Dev squad after some promising mid season games, may have made his mind up for him. I fear for Toby the Viking too, will we spend a lot of time and effort 'developing' these players then have them pop off elsewhere when they get a bit tired of not being involved at 1st team level?..... I hope not.
Toby signed until 2015 about 4 months ago.

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pte says...
12:18pm Wed 4 Jul 12

GH was discarded by BHA before being taken back so he won't be looking at this through rose coloured glasses. BHA have plenty of centre backs and if they get compo having originally discarded the boy they have done well. Being at Spurs will further his career without doubt

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Rhodes Seagull says...
12:29pm Wed 4 Jul 12

No word on Vicente then?

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SMF20 says...
12:48pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Although all appears negative for the moment, Im sure GP is rubbing his hands together at the budget and wages payable he still has at this disposal at this point. 2 new signings to date and both although commanding a half decent salary were free. On the other side of the coin, we are now not paying a wage to Navarro, Hall, 3 x keepers, half a dozen development players and of course the loans, Mattock, Reyes, Assulin, Razac and Vokes.. The V man may also be off the wage bill aswell soon. This is quite exciting when you consider we have a better budget than last year,

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gordongull says...
1:07pm Wed 4 Jul 12

South Stand Tranny wrote:
Don't panic!
If you're not panicking you don't understand the situation!

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rolivan says...
1:08pm Wed 4 Jul 12

How times have changed.I wonder if Gillingham have rung the club about a ground share it appears they have been evicted from their training ground by the Council for not paying £34,000 utility bills and some of us are moaning because we haven't signed any players this week.

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Corn Hill says...
1:13pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Good luck Grant, whatever you decide to do.

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Grendel says...
1:21pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Presumably he hasn't turned up for pre-season training, judging by Gus's comment "It would be very strange if he came back now."

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Baldseagull says...
1:23pm Wed 4 Jul 12

heathgate wrote:
I am just wondering if he couldnt have been involved a bit more, I suspect that leaving him largely ignored in the Dev squad after some promising mid season games, may have made his mind up for him. I fear for Toby the Viking too, will we spend a lot of time and effort 'developing' these players then have them pop off elsewhere when they get a bit tired of not being involved at 1st team level?..... I hope not.
7 subs this season will mean that development players will get a squad place more often, and get on the pitch if the game allows it.
Good luck to Hall wherever he ends up.

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the taffster says...
1:24pm Wed 4 Jul 12

if he was attracting the attention of other clubs and was a genuine talent.why wasnt he tied up n a new contact a year or so ago gus?

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ballantrrae says...
1:47pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Alan G Skinner wrote:
Astonishing in these times of acute austerity, to turn your back on a Three-Year Contract. Especially for a player who has played only a hand full of games in the Championship. Well, I guess we will have to "take the money" and move on.
Has Hall actually played more than the one game as a sub against Southampton in the Championship ?
At least with this departure we will get some cash.
Hopefully Hall will be replaced with another young centre back in the Development squad.
Like others waiting for some positive news.

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ballantrrae says...
1:54pm Wed 4 Jul 12

heathgate wrote:
I am just wondering if he couldnt have been involved a bit more, I suspect that leaving him largely ignored in the Dev squad after some promising mid season games, may have made his mind up for him. I fear for Toby the Viking too, will we spend a lot of time and effort 'developing' these players then have them pop off elsewhere when they get a bit tired of not being involved at 1st team level?..... I hope not.
Good point Heathgate re young players being involved more.
Last season the 5 sub rubbish rule worked against that.
Now that its gone and 7 subs are allowed on the bench we will hopefully see the likes of JFC in the squad frequently.

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Dave in Hastings says...
1:56pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Willie, Willie Irvine wrote:
Seems a bit harsh slagging the player off. There must be another club interested whose managment or scouts have seen enough potential to make a move. Time will tell whether it's a good move for the lad, but I still think the Albion have been caught sleeping on this one.
Sorry Willie I cannot imagine the current Albion management 'caught sleeping' on anything. The lad has been offered a 3 year deal. Maybe he thinks he has a better chance of first team football elsewhere, or maybe his agent has his head turned with the lure of big dosh sitting on the bench (or in the stand?) at Spurs. Whatever - I think this is more about his ego and his agents desire for a handout.

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Qantitative Easing says...
2:35pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Dave in Hastings wrote:
Willie, Willie Irvine wrote: Seems a bit harsh slagging the player off. There must be another club interested whose managment or scouts have seen enough potential to make a move. Time will tell whether it's a good move for the lad, but I still think the Albion have been caught sleeping on this one.
Sorry Willie I cannot imagine the current Albion management 'caught sleeping' on anything. The lad has been offered a 3 year deal. Maybe he thinks he has a better chance of first team football elsewhere, or maybe his agent has his head turned with the lure of big dosh sitting on the bench (or in the stand?) at Spurs. Whatever - I think this is more about his ego and his agents desire for a handout.
I think they have been caught out on this one. If they were that keen to get him on a 3 yr deal, why wait until the current deal is up.

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JoeBlow says...
3:12pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Grant Hall? Meh...

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JaseBHA says...
3:18pm Wed 4 Jul 12

No player who does not want to play for the club should be there anyway. A pity, but not the end of the world. Only time will tell if he's made the right call.

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Claude Back says...
3:21pm Wed 4 Jul 12

albion seagull wrote:
It's says on the back of the argus were close to another signing thanks to season ticket sales !!! Could be good news.
You say 'were close to another signing' in the past tense, so does that mean that it is no longer happening? From what I heard, Heskey is on his way here so I hope you're wrong. (He turned down Bruce btw.) Or do you mean 'we are'?

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Willie, Willie Irvine says...
3:37pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Claude Back wrote:
albion seagull wrote: It's says on the back of the argus were close to another signing thanks to season ticket sales !!! Could be good news.
You say 'were close to another signing' in the past tense, so does that mean that it is no longer happening? From what I heard, Heskey is on his way here so I hope you're wrong. (He turned down Bruce btw.) Or do you mean 'we are'?
There is quite a lot of pleading on the internet by various Champioship club supporters regarding Heskey. Pleading that another club gets him, that is...ho,ho!

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Captain Haddock says...
3:47pm Wed 4 Jul 12

SMF20 wrote:
Although all appears negative for the moment, Im sure GP is rubbing his hands together at the budget and wages payable he still has at this disposal at this point. 2 new signings to date and both although commanding a half decent salary were free. On the other side of the coin, we are now not paying a wage to Navarro, Hall, 3 x keepers, half a dozen development players and of course the loans, Mattock, Reyes, Assulin, Razac and Vokes.. The V man may also be off the wage bill aswell soon. This is quite exciting when you consider we have a better budget than last year,
And that's the way I'm looking at it. Gotta find a positive spin somewhere to cheer meself up.

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Captain Haddock says...
3:53pm Wed 4 Jul 12

rolivan wrote:
How times have changed.I wonder if Gillingham have rung the club about a ground share it appears they have been evicted from their training ground by the Council for not paying £34,000 utility bills and some of us are moaning because we haven't signed any players this week.
That leech Scally can go swing.

He did us no favour in 97-99.

Tin pot outfit with a very tinpot chairman / owner....see banning of Pulis from non-match related areas of The Priestfield last season in the cup.

And as I always say, if Ken is indeed "The Garden Of England" Gillingham is truly its outside toilet!....smelly, cramped, unpleasant, ugly, outdated and full of ____!

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Dingbat99 says...
3:57pm Wed 4 Jul 12

the taffster wrote:
if he was attracting the attention of other clubs and was a genuine talent.why wasnt he tied up n a new contact a year or so ago gus?
How do you know he wasn't? It was reported months ago that he had been offered a contract but he has refused to sign. I hope his agent knows what he's doing with the managerial changes at Spurs, he may not be wanted now.
We should still get money for him albeit not much from a tribunal because he is under 24.

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Captain Haddock says...
4:01pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Not only Ken but the County of KenT in which he lives! Haha.

(Blimmin' phone!)

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Claude Back says...
4:11pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Captain Haddock wrote:
rolivan wrote:
How times have changed.I wonder if Gillingham have rung the club about a ground share it appears they have been evicted from their training ground by the Council for not paying £34,000 utility bills and some of us are moaning because we haven't signed any players this week.
That leech Scally can go swing.

He did us no favour in 97-99.

Tin pot outfit with a very tinpot chairman / owner....see banning of Pulis from non-match related areas of The Priestfield last season in the cup.

And as I always say, if Ken is indeed "The Garden Of England" Gillingham is truly its outside toilet!....smelly, cramped, unpleasant, ugly, outdated and full of ____!
I second that.

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Ringmer Rich says...
4:22pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Where's today's episode of Desperately Seeking Vicente with our wantaway prim Madonna?

They seek him here, they seek him there,
In old Sussex and Valencia,
In matters of our club he is as fickle as can be,
Cause he's a dedicated follower of sunshine..
Oh yes he is, Oh yes he is..

Sorry was feeling a bit kinky.
Vicente, come back please!!

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Rhodes Seagull says...
4:30pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Just to put your minds at rest I spotted Heskey down on the beach today

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markymark03 says...
4:34pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Rhodes Seagull wrote:
Just to put your minds at rest I spotted Heskey down on the beach today
You must be on Blackpool beach because we don't have donkeys on Brighton beach!

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Ringmer Rich says...
4:42pm Wed 4 Jul 12

markymark03 wrote:
Rhodes Seagull wrote:
Just to put your minds at rest I spotted Heskey down on the beach today
You must be on Blackpool beach because we don't have donkeys on Brighton beach!
Brilliant!

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mikeygit says...
4:45pm Wed 4 Jul 12

No sign of any NEWS on the Albion web site or elsewhere---worrying that we were on the brink of signing new players and everything has gone quiet and players are being signed by other clubs. I just hope that Gus IS keeping his cards close to his chest and he will suddenly 'pull the news out of the hat'. Very frustrating???

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SMF20 says...
4:52pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Its at times like this, where good news is nowhere to be seen that i take comfort from knowing that TB is the captain of our ship.. The man is not just our club owner but a fan with desires like the rest of us. I rest assured knowing he will be cracking the whip making sure that all of his management team are performing to his very high expectations and that includes the Manager.

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Rhodes Seagull says...
5:12pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Ringmer Rich wrote:
markymark03 wrote:
Rhodes Seagull wrote:
Just to put your minds at rest I spotted Heskey down on the beach today
You must be on Blackpool beach because we don't have donkeys on Brighton beach!
Brilliant!
Clue!!!
Is in my handle RHODES SEAGULL

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dave from bexill says...
6:09pm Wed 4 Jul 12

SMF20 wrote:
Its at times like this, where good news is nowhere to be seen that i take comfort from knowing that TB is the captain of our ship.. The man is not just our club owner but a fan with desires like the rest of us. I rest assured knowing he will be cracking the whip making sure that all of his management team are performing to his very high expectations and that includes the Manager.
Ok, or it may just be that he won't let Gus have as much as he feels he needs to push the club forward at a pace. Otherwise SMF20, I agree with all you say about TB

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namgo49 says...
6:12pm Wed 4 Jul 12

The news just keeps getting better!!

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Hovite says...
6:40pm Wed 4 Jul 12

gordongull wrote:
South Stand Tranny wrote:
Don't panic!
If you're not panicking you don't understand the situation!
Don't be fooled Gordon, this is HPR in disguise. Did you not read it's post the other day;o)

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wolf miguel says...
8:38pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Why is there no Argus news on my web site since July 2nd. Have we upset there journalists?

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