Bolton scout goes following publication of his book

[Verbal]

http://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/othe ... t-booking/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One of high-flying Bolton Wanderers’ talent-spotters has left the football club following publication of a book which takes a behind-the-scenes look at Premier League scouts and how they work.
Les Padfield’s book is Scouting for Moyes: The Inside Story of a Football Scout. He says: “I’ve been told that the book was shown to manager Owen Coyle. It wasn’t chief scout Colin Harvey who phoned me, but I was told my contract had ended because of cut backs.

“It seems a bit odd to me because I offered to work my month’s notice – I had two or three games – but was told I had to go straight away. I’m wondering if it’s because of some of the things I said about the players and the Bolton hierarchy. Maybe they haven’t got a sense of humour.”

Padfield began his scouting career at Preston North End under then manager David Moyes, before moving to Southampton under Glenn Hoddle, and then working for Gary Megson.

Padfield became one of Megson’s most loyal and trusty scouts in a career that took him to Stockport County, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest and finally Bolton Wanderers. He has been with Bolton for three years.
Scouting for Moyes, Padfield’s warts-and-all account of scouring the country for potential transfer targets, preparing match reports on forthcoming opponents, and seeking out the next generation of Premier League superstars, has been praised for its honesty and self-deprecating humour.

Published by Sports Books, SJA Treasurer Randall Northam’s Cheltenham based specialist company, all Padfield’s royalties are being donated to Cancer Research.

[P.O.S.]

Well that's got to be worth a read!

[Worthy4England]

Heard a lengthy interview with him on talksport about 2 weeks ago, promoting his book.

A few interesting snippets in there, but not as much dirt as I'd have liked dished. Apparently, he did try and get Modric to Bolton but was told Modric wasn't big enough to make it in the prem.

[Lord Kangana]

So just to be clear here, not only was Megson a shit coach, someone else got his players for him?

[Prufrock]

What he say?

[TANGODANCER]

"Scouting for Moyes"? Thought for a minute there it was a Baden Powell Annual.

[P.O.S.]

So just to be clear here, not only was Megson a shit coach, someone else got his players for him?

So Rasiak wasn't his fault after all?

[Lord Kangana]

Bastard. I knew there was a flaw somewhere...

Perhaps the exception proves the rule?

[Lofthouse Lower]

Sounds interesting.

Someone buy it, read it, and give us a synopsis of the relevant chapters. Thanks.

[bobo the clown]

I suspect they sacked him for completely disregarding the 3 years he scouted for us in the title !!

[Il Pirate]

It's a shame if he's the guy who spotted Klasnic & Lee and helped bring 'em to the club

[TANGODANCER]

Didn't he think to run the contents by the Bolton management before going public? All seems a bit odd for a well-paid man supposedly content in his work and well-regarded.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Would be intrigued if he was The Man Who Brought Us X, Y and Z. But if he was, I doubt he'd get turfed out.

Not at all unusual for managers to phase in their own scouts.

Book's in the office, I'll try to have a dig through it.

[BWFC_Insane]

Presumably then seeing as he followed Megson around the things he said were complimentary to him and critical of us for sacking him?

Otherwise can't really see why Coyle would be bothered, unless he gave away trade secrets?

[Worthy4England]

Didn't he think to run the contents by the Bolton management before going public? All seems a bit odd for a well-paid man supposedly content in his work and well-regarded.

He seemed to be suggesting in his interview, that you get paid by the number of reports you submit (per report), rather than a set wage/salary, unless you were a Chief Scout etc. I got the impression that he didn't necessarily just scout for Bolton - but could be wrong.

A chief scout at a top 4 Club, was estimated to be on about £100k in 2008 - nice enough, but not the stella wages of footballers.

Padfield has a full time job as a teacher.

I'm sure comments like

he describes three Bolton players as "not only too slow for yelled instructions from the touchline but too slow for smoke signals"

Probably haven't helped his cause much.

Let the speculation commence - I'm sure it won't be long before Matt Taylor and Gretar Steinsson are mentioned.

[Lofthouse Lower]

Nolan, Taylor......Summerbee?

[Worthy4England]

Nolan, Taylor......Summerbee?

I left Nolan for you to get all by yourself.

[bobo the clown]

I'm sure comments like

he describes three Bolton players as "not only too slow for yelled instructions from the touchline but too slow for smoke signals"

Probably haven't helped his cause much.

Whoever they are/were I bet they're fast enough to catch him had they met him at the training ground.

Robinson comes to mind.

[jaffka]

makakula

[bobo the clown]

makakula

... & whoever that lump of a Russian centre-half was.