Michael Poke

[Gulliball]

We signed Martin Rice from a building site and gave him another shot at professional football. He had a great season last year and played far more first team football than he would have expected to last summer. Without the injuries to Poke he might never have received that chance, those are the margins of a footballer's career. His stock has risen in the last 12 months, but not to the point where he would expect to be a number 1 keeper in the football league, nor can he be upset by his treatment by us, that's the life of a number 2 keeper. I would expect him to re-sign for us.

[Dave]

Agree with the last post, think his only likely destination was Exeter, think they'd probably been after Ricey until they borrowed money from the PFA and now cant sign any players.

[Neal]

Martin Rice has been a model professional in my books and he is one player who I hope gets the best deal for himself. Hasn't ripped us off unlike some and got total respect for the guy. I hope he signs for us.

[+mustard+]

Martin Rice has been a model professional in my books and he is one player who I hope gets the best deal for himself. Hasn't ripped us off unlike some and got total respect for the guy. I hope he signs for us.

What other club other than non league would come in for him and would have thought he would have signed by
now as Hargreaves gave him his chance last season. For all we know he could be hanging on for more money is that not trying to ...................

[+mustard+]

Can't blame him. Dropped by the master clown Alan Knill whose thinking amounted to "it can't get any worse - I know, i'll drop Rice when he has in fact been arguably the player of the season and stick Poke back in in the desperate hope it will see an upturn in results".

Knill's logic.

Then hero Hargreaves comes in and keeps with Poke despite him actually performing worse than Rice only to stick Ricey in when Poke got injured at Hartlepool I think it was.

Ricey has been f*** about by both managers and has shown nothing but admirable professional dignity for himself, his profession and his club and to be quite honest Martin. Torquay don't deserve such commitment.

Get the best deal for yourself and your family and go somewhere you will be wanted and appreciated.

Have you not had a job where this has happened.

[Southampton Gull]

Exeter for one. They need a keeper and he would be keen to return there.

[gullintwoplaces]

Exeter for one. They need a keeper and he would be keen to return there.

I thought that they were banned from signing any new players?

[Jeff]

I thought that they were banned from signing any new players?

Correct, until August

[ferrarilover]

A bit like Chelsea were banned from signing players? They'll just sign him and not process the paperwork until they've paid back the money.

Matt.

[RussianGull]

I hope Ricey stays, good laugh and model pro. He's waited and he took his opportunity well, only player to come out of last season able to hold his head high.

[tomogull]

I hope Ricey stays, good laugh and model pro. He's waited and he took his opportunity well, only player to come out of last season able to hold his head high.

........ and Krystian Pearce

[+mustard+]

........ and Krystian Pearce

Yes buts still not the answer for a number 1.

[Fonda]

Sorry to see him go, but understand the decision. It's pointless paying big money to somebody who evidently isn't first choice anymore. If he can get himself fully fit and focussed again, I imagine he'll do well for Pompey.

[Trojan 67]

Couldn't kick a clean ball and when he did he was prone to injuring himself. That kick out against Chesterfield away . . . . . WTF?

He had faults that couldn't be coached out of him.

Nothing more to see here.