January Round Up: Departures

January was a busy month for Joe Dunne as he shapes his squad for the rest of the season and the fight for survival, and we discuss the departures here:

John-Joe O’Toole
Having signed from Watford under Aidy Boothroyd, it’s been a tough time for combative midfielder O’Toole who has suffered with a series of injuries and managerial changes whilst with the club. Having originally gone out on a month’s loan to join former boss John Ward at Bristol Rovers, the Irishman has now extended that deal until April.

Anthony Wordsworth
In the biggest U’s deal of the month, cultured playmaker Wordsworth departed for Ipswich in an undisclosed fee. He heads up the A12 having amassed 199 appearances for the U’s and netted over thirty goals, to take the step up to the Championship. A move that has been on the cards for some time, Woody’s departure simply put an end to the ongoing speculation that surrounded him.

Carl Pentney
The local-born goalkeeper has been on the bench for the majority of the season as Mark Cousins’ number two, but the arrival of both John Sullivan and Sam Walker on loan deals had shown that his time at the club was coming to a close. Originally signed after leaving Leicester City, Carl failed to make an appearance for the U’s and has now signed a deal with Bishop’s Stortford until the end of the current campaign.

Tom Aldred
Tom signed for John Ward’s U’s team with high hopes, having won the Football League’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award and had Watford track him from Carlisle, ultimately paying compensation to sign the centre-half. However, in his two years with the U’s Tom failed to make a solitary appearance and, following spells with Barrow, has signed a deal with Accrington Stanley to return north.

Tom Bender
Given his debut by Aidy Boothroyd, Tom became the second youngest player to represent the U’s when he appeared as a substitute against Hartlepool, whilst he has also represented Wales at various youth levels. However, Tom failed to progress and challenge the first team positions, instead spending time on loan with Accrington Stanley and Chelmsford City. He has had his contract mutually terminated.

Ian Henderson
Another Aidy Boothroyd signing, Henderson racked up 130 appearances for the U’s and netted double figures in both of his full campaigns at the club. Upon Joe Dunne’s appointment he admitted that he had told Henderson he could go out on loan, but the attacker came back into the fold and regained his place in the side. He’s been out in the cold for the past eight weeks though, and has had his contract mutually terminated.

Michael Rose
In the second of the sudden departures last night, Michael Rose also left the club after falling out of favour. The full back signed for the club at the beginning of last season, but a shaky start saw him dropped for most of the campaign. Having regained his place, Rose started this season on fire and impressed many, before the arrival of Dan Potts ousted him from the line-up. In and out of the side since, Rose has also had his contract mutually terminated.


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