FC Boro

Boro confirmed today that midfielder John Martin has been released from his contract. It’s a disappointing end to Martin’s career after a fantastic start which saw him an integral part of the club’s amazing start to the 2007/2008 season under Mark Stimson, particularly impressing alongside Stuart Lewis in the Boro midfield. Martin started the season as a regular in the side under Graham Westley, but along with Daryl McMahon was transfer listed in November with the club in mid-table. While McMahon moved to Cambridge, Martin didn’t leave, although a move to Grays was rumoured. After the January transfer window shut, Martin moved to Ebbsfleet United on loan where he was going to stay until the end of the season, until an injury crisis hit Boro in April and Westley reluctantly recalled him. He came back and played 2 games, very well and that was the last we saw of John Martin in a Boro shirt.

I always rated Martin in the Boro midfield and think if him and Bostwick were given more time together then that midfield partnership would have been one of the best in the division. I think Martin’s creativity would go well with the box to box style of Bostwick. However, with poor results that partnership never really got a chance to flourish and Martin was told he was free to leave the club in November. He came back after a loan spell at Ebbsfleet in April and gave two very good performances, helping Boro get vital points in the play-off run in. He could really help take Boro to the next level I think, but as we all know when Westley’s mind is made up on a player then it is not going to change.

So where now for John Martin?

Talk of a return to Ebbsfleet has been mooted and is possible although the Kent side have some financial restraints for next season with the Myfc thing not working out quite as planned. Apparently the club only have a £4k budget per week next season? Another club that has been rumoured is Barnet, who lost Neil Bishop to Notts County today. Bishop was a defence midfielder at Underhill and has moved to Notts so he can relocate back up North. Paul Fairclough is a big fan of Martin and has picked him for past England C teams. Although Fairclough’s power is limited at Barnet these days, it’s still possible he may recommend JM to Ian Hendon and he could partner another ex Boro midfielder Mark Hughes in League 2 next season. Gillingham may be another destination if, hopefully, they don’t go up through the play-offs.

I wish John Martin all the best in his future career.