John Bostock - the ongoing mega thread

[Shoreditch CPFC]

I enjoyed it. If he has a stormer for Toulouse next season then he is nailed on to come back. Should be about the football he produces though not what he might do if xyz.

[Latvian Eagle]

Very good humble interview.

[Timbo]

Originally Posted by Maidstoned Eagle

I had to stop watching as the tears of contrition pouring from my eyes made it hard to see the screen.

Is it because he's one of our own (albeit a bit fallen)

[redandblue]

I am probably in a minority ...

I do think he came accross as a humble decent guy but is that becuase it is his nature or because he has had to for the way in which his career has gone you can’t surely be loaned out to a load of mediocre clubs and still be arrogant can you ? I wonder if he had gone on to score 30 goals at Spurs and had a glittering career would he be the same or has he had to adapt ?

In the interview there was nothing about what Palace did for him as a kid and for his family, the opportunity and investment that was made, I may be wrong but I thought Palace paid for his parents house. This was about him being advised wrongly by his people and possibly Keith Curl but no appreciation for Palace, sure he loved it as a fan but nothing else and felt no debt for the 10 years they invested in hi,pm. There seemed to be remorse for what happened to him but not for Palace, he did not seem to think that he owed Palace anything which I think he did.

I don’t know how he could possibly think that just as he was starting to play for the first team that he would not get game time and that if all he really wanted to do was play football why he or his dad etc thought this would be more likely to happen at Spurs. I have no doubt it was money that turned his and his family,s head but of course he would not say that.

I think he was very well advised what to say in this interview, sure he was young and I do understand that and of course we can’t expect a 15 year old to make the right decision but I don’t quite see this video as other people do and wonder what it would be like had he made it.

[bubbs11]

As i said before, I think Micky Hazard was probably very instrumental in Bostock’s family’s decision. IIRC, Hazard left our academy coaching set up under a cloud and acrimony with Simon Jordan. No doubt the advice he gave to the Bostock’s was also in part motivated by the fact he’d be helping take Simon Jordan’s ‘crown jewel’ away from him. The fact that it was Hazard’s old stomping ground that Bostock was taken away to is all too much of a coincidence for me. I believe Arsenal and Chelsea both thought they were in with a chance of securing Bostock, but ended up at Spurs.

[No.16]

With all the 'it's coming home' memes flying around, I was reminded of this corker from a decade ago: To view the link you have to Register or Login

Mean spirited I know, but in fairness I've praised him earlier on in the thread and it still tickles me...

[switchboard]

Originally Posted by redandblue

I am probably in a minority ...

I do think he came accross as a humble decent guy but is that becuase it is his nature or because he has had to for the way in which his career has gone you can’t surely be loaned out to a load of mediocre clubs and still be arrogant can you ? I wonder if he had gone on to score 30 goals at Spurs and had a glittering career would he be the same or has he had to adapt ?

In the interview there was nothing about what Palace did for him as a kid and for his family, the opportunity and investment that was made, I may be wrong but I thought Palace paid for his parents house. This was about him being advised wrongly by his people and possibly Keith Curl but no appreciation for Palace, sure he loved it as a fan but nothing else and felt no debt for the 10 years they invested in hi,pm. There seemed to be remorse for what happened to him but not for Palace, he did not seem to think that he owed Palace anything which I think he did.

I don’t know how he could possibly think that just as he was starting to play for the first team that he would not get game time and that if all he really wanted to do was play football why he or his dad etc thought this would be more likely to happen at Spurs. I have no doubt it was money that turned his and his family,s head but of course he would not say that.

I think he was very well advised what to say in this interview, sure he was young and I do understand that and of course we can’t expect a 15 year old to make the right decision but I don’t quite see this video as other people do and wonder what it would be like had he made it.

The club recieved £700k for him which probably returned the investment and a little bit more even though we were robbed.

[redandblue]

Originally Posted by switchboard

The club recieved £700k for him which probably returned the investment and a little bit more even though we were robbed.

I understand this and whilst this may compensate directly for JB you get one JB for every I don’t know 200 boys so this money would not cover the development if you work on the profit expected over the whole program

[GanbareWashi]

Originally Posted by No.16

With all the 'it's coming home' memes flying around, I was reminded of this corker from a decade ago: To view the link you have to Register or Login

Mean spirited I know, but in fairness I've praised him earlier on in the thread and it still tickles me...

Don't worry, we still have Kuqi! LOL

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Originally Posted by redandblue

I am probably in a minority ...

I do think he came accross as a humble decent guy but is that becuase it is his nature or because he has had to for the way in which his career has gone you can’t surely be loaned out to a load of mediocre clubs and still be arrogant can you ? I wonder if he had gone on to score 30 goals at Spurs and had a glittering career would he be the same or has he had to adapt ?

In the interview there was nothing about what Palace did for him as a kid and for his family, the opportunity and investment that was made, I may be wrong but I thought Palace paid for his parents house. This was about him being advised wrongly by his people and possibly Keith Curl but no appreciation for Palace, sure he loved it as a fan but nothing else and felt no debt for the 10 years they invested in hi,pm. There seemed to be remorse for what happened to him but not for Palace, he did not seem to think that he owed Palace anything which I think he did.

I don’t know how he could possibly think that just as he was starting to play for the first team that he would not get game time and that if all he really wanted to do was play football why he or his dad etc thought this would be more likely to happen at Spurs. I have no doubt it was money that turned his and his family,s head but of course he would not say that.

I think he was very well advised what to say in this interview, sure he was young and I do understand that and of course we can’t expect a 15 year old to make the right decision but I don’t quite see this video as other people do and wonder what it would be like had he made it.

A very well thought out and reasonable post.

[Eaglesmad123]

Originally Posted by redandblue

I am probably in a minority ...

I do think he came accross as a humble decent guy but is that becuase it is his nature or because he has had to for the way in which his career has gone you can’t surely be loaned out to a load of mediocre clubs and still be arrogant can you ? I wonder if he had gone on to score 30 goals at Spurs and had a glittering career would he be the same or has he had to adapt ?

In the interview there was nothing about what Palace did for him as a kid and for his family, the opportunity and investment that was made, I may be wrong but I thought Palace paid for his parents house. This was about him being advised wrongly by his people and possibly Keith Curl but no appreciation for Palace, sure he loved it as a fan but nothing else and felt no debt for the 10 years they invested in hi,pm. There seemed to be remorse for what happened to him but not for Palace, he did not seem to think that he owed Palace anything which I think he did.

I don’t know how he could possibly think that just as he was starting to play for the first team that he would not get game time and that if all he really wanted to do was play football why he or his dad etc thought this would be more likely to happen at Spurs. I have no doubt it was money that turned his and his family,s head but of course he would not say that.

I think he was very well advised what to say in this interview, sure he was young and I do understand that and of course we can’t expect a 15 year old to make the right decision but I don’t quite see this video as other people do and wonder what it would be like had he made it.

I think your over thinking things. He was a lad who played a handful of games for the first team. He was hardly Zidane or Beckham. Maybe its time people moved on. Why is this to some a massive part of CPFC history. Over 10 years on people are still angry. Have you ever moved jobs or changed career for more money. John is a top bloke and does not deserve the hate some people give him.

[redandblue]

Originally Posted by Eaglesmad123

I think your over thinking things. He was a lad who played a handful of games for the first team. He was hardly Zidane or Beckham. Maybe its time people moved on. Why is this to some a massive part of CPFC history. Over 10 years on people are still angry. Have you ever moved jobs or changed career for more money. John is a top bloke and does not deserve the hate some people give him.

I have actually changed career twice both times for more happiness and less money.

He was to become a start that is what everyone thought us, him, Palace and of course Spurs,.

I like most can only dream about what I would have done had I been given the ability to play for Palace but my view is that he and his family took everything from palace claimed to love te club and then stuck up two fingers up as soon as their heads were turned. Let’s not forget that part of the investment in him was from my season tickets so I actually have a right to think what I want of him. Maybe if he had stayed we would have done better or got a fair price and avoided administration who knows.

I don’t know John he comes across well in that interview and let’s not kid ourselves he is not going to say in an interview he left Rome money and laughed at palace and showed what they did in their faces. there are hundreds of good blokes that don’t have his ability he had and wasted it.

[Eaglesmad123]

Originally Posted by redandblue

I have actually changed career twice both times for more happiness and less money.

He was to become a start that is what everyone thought us, him, Palace and of course Spurs,.

I like most can only dream about what I would have done had I been given the ability to play for Palace but my view is that he and his family took everything from palace claimed to love te club and then stuck up two fingers up as soon as their heads were turned. Let’s not forget that part of the investment in him was from my season tickets so I actually have a right to think what I want of him. Maybe if he had stayed we would have done better or got a fair price and avoided administration who knows.

I don’t know John he comes across well in that interview and let’s not kid ourselves he is not going to say in an interview he left Rome money and laughed at palace and showed what they did in their faces. there are hundreds of good blokes that don’t have his ability he had and wasted it.

I get the fact your hurt but isnt it time to move on

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by redandblue

I have actually changed career twice both times for more happiness and less money.

He was to become a start that is what everyone thought us, him, Palace and of course Spurs,.

I like most can only dream about what I would have done had I been given the ability to play for Palace but my view is that he and his family took everything from palace claimed to love te club and then stuck up two fingers up as soon as their heads were turned. Let’s not forget that part of the investment in him was from my season tickets so I actually have a right to think what I want of him. Maybe if he had stayed we would have done better or got a fair price and avoided administration who knows.

I don’t know John he comes across well in that interview and let’s not kid ourselves he is not going to say in an interview he left Rome money and laughed at palace and showed what they did in their faces. there are hundreds of good blokes that don’t have his ability he had and wasted it.

You have the 'right' to whatever view you want but it's not because of your season ticket investment because you probably have contributed about 50p-£1 towards his development if that. Season tickets are just a way for you to buy your tickets at a discount to watch Palace. It's not a donation or investment that you are making.

You do come across as being bitter over this still. We were all seriously p****d off at the time and the way it was reported etc made it feel worse I am sure but it probably is time to give the guy himself a bit of a break. I agree he is hardly going to paint a negative picture but I doubt he was faking his love for Palace. He sounded like a fan.

Just a thought, but it seems that you worked somewhere and then left to do something else (twice at least). So that business lost the time and experience that they had in you and perhaps you would have gone onto be outstanding and hugely valuable to them. It's not as different as it sounds at first. I think you are projecting your fan's perspective onto someone making a living/career in football. We all do it - but you do seem to be holding onto this one. Maybe give the guy a break - I am sure Buddha had something wise to say on this.

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Buddha said "don't listen to your dad and curly haired Tottenham fans/ex players"

[tasty_snacks]

All this happened whilst he was a boy. 15 going on 16. At that age the hardest decision I was making was whether to spend my weekly chore money on FHM or a few Toffee Crisps.

It was ludicrous at the time to hold anything against someone so young. Let alone a decade later.

[Yoda]

What an interesting interview, very worthwhile watching.

Firstly, I think he shows genuine emotion on seeing his old view and seat in the Arthur Wait. And he twice says that he 100% regrets leaving Palace...fair does to the guy, he could easily have tried to fudge that answer.

As a parent of a 15 year old, I can absolutely agree that teenagers can be easily swayed by the adults around them and that if those he trusts (parents, agent etc) are saying go to Spurs, it could be your once in a lifetime opportunity, that the kid is v likely to follow that advice. He said he came home from school and was told to quickly sign the Spurs contract, which I doubt he even read properly.

So I increasingly feel that his dad in particular is to blame for what happened, even if John himself is v loyal to him and stops short of saying that himself. There’s little doubt in my mind that the adults involved followed the bling that we’ve heard Spurs threw at them. I expect they did hope it’d work out wonderfully for John too, but it was a gamble that they didn’t need to take at that stage.

As a parent, I could imagine myself making a similar decision....however, I’m sure we would have also tried to behave in an honourable way towards Palace and Simon Jordan, who had invested so much in my son. Their departure was utterly self-centred, and the Bostock family could have behaved better, particularly at a time when Palace had limited finances.

But, having seen that heartfelt interview and given the passage of time, I do feel softer towards John himself now. I agree with others that I’d happily sit with him at a Palace match now, as he’s a genuine fan.

But what did occur to me whilst watching that video was that he could make a great coach. His life experiences (not just at Palace), his love of football and his mature, articulate manner have made him engaging and interesting.

Maybe his Palace destiny is not to be a great player for us, but maybe to be a great coach, who can relate to the local South London lads. Inspiring them, but also warning them about the dangers of, like Icarus, flying too high too soon.

Prodigal sons can make the best teachers.

[Reps AJ]

Originally Posted by tasty_snacks

All this happened whilst he was a boy. 15 going on 16. At that age the hardest decision I was making was whether to spend my weekly chore money on FHM or a few Toffee Crisps.

It was ludicrous at the time to hold anything against someone so young. Let alone a decade later.

You cant just leave us hanging... which did you choose?

[Thanet Eagle]

Easy to be cynical about this interview but I feel that Bostock came across as a decent guy who acknowledges the past and has tried to move on, not always successfully. I hope he will get a decent welcome on his return with Toulouse and no booing.

[fang]

I can't remember seeing play for Palace more than two or three times. I'd be interested to know from anyone who has either seen him play recently or is able to offer an objective view as to how good he is now? Is he premiership standard ? Would he make a good Championship player or are we talking somewhere below that?