Aldershot Town FC

Jamie Collins has headed out of the EBB Stadium
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Football: Shock Collins exit ends frenzied activity

By Jon Couch
February 02, 2012

BOSS Dean Holdsworth insisted he was more than happy with the strength and depth of his new-look Shots squad at the end of another hectic transfer window.

The January deadline went right to the wire with Holdsworth surprising everyone on the very last day by selling midfielder Jamie Collins to Blue Square Premier side Forest Green Rovers.

And passing him the other way through the EBB Stadium revolving door was Crawley Town midfielder Ben Smith, who put pen to paper on a loan deal until the end of the season.

It has been a crazy month for Holdsworth with no fewer than seven players coming in, six leaving the club and another 14 involved in loan deals both in and out.

But all in all the boss is pleased with his business, even though he admitted it was hard to let a “good friend” leave.

“I left it entirely down to him [Collins] at the end of the day,” Holdsworth explained.

"I received a bid from [Forest Green manager] Dave Hockaday and as Jamie has done such a lot for this club I felt it right that I should do things in the right manner and by informing him of Dave’s interest and let him make the decision.

“It may have surprised a few people but I understand his decision.

"Not only have I let go a good player but I’ve let go a good friend, someone I have known for a number of years, has won a championship with me and someone who I shared some good memories with.”

Perhaps the most controversial exit was that of Luke Guttridge after Holdsworth admitted to having a “frank conversation” with the fiery midfielder.

Guttridge, who made 80 appearances in the Aldershot engine room, scoring 14 goals, has since gone on to rejoin Northampton Town on an 18-month contract.

Holdsworth said: “I’d seen that something wasn’t right. Luke was in a place where I wasn’t.

"There was no falling out, it was a straight conversation and we agreed we felt it was right he moved on.”

Holdsworth also revealed the club was a hive of activity during Tuesday’s deadline.

He added: “It was a very busy time. The phone was going non-stop and there were a lot of things going on.

“But I look at my squad now and I'm pleased with the business that we have done.”

Asked if he missed out on any intended transfer targets, he added: “The pressure on deadline day is a lot different. People become greedy and desperate.”

Holdsworth’s January transfer activity:

IN: Guy Madjo (Stevenage, £30,000); Sonny Bradley (Hull City, loan), Troy Brown (Rotherham Utd, loan), Charlie Collins (MK Dons, loan), Josh Payne (Oxford Utd, loan), Stefan Payne (Gillingham, loan), Ben Smith (Crawley Town, loan)
OUT: Jermaine McGlashan (Cheltenham Town), Anthony Pulis, Chris Doig, Luke Guttridge, Aaron Brown (all released), Jamie Collins (Forest Green Rovers)
LOANEES DEPARTED: Scott Davies, Jamie Day (both Crawley Town), Adam Smith (Mansfield Town), Greg Pearson (Burton Albion), Charlie Henry (Luton Town)
LOANEES RETURNED: Adam Mekki (Basingstoke), Jordan Clement (Maidenhead Utd), Manny Panther (Grimsby Town), Reece Connolly, Doug Bergqvist (both Farnborough).
LOANED OUT: Bradley Bubb (Eastleigh), Max Worsfold (Dorchester Town), Bradley Pegg, Matt Steer (both Blackfield & Langley)

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