“A FORMER Premier League striker has quit a non-league club after just two months. Charlie Austin joined Basingstoke Town after leaving AFC Totton in the summer. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Charlie Austin has left Basingstoke Town after two months Tight finances meant the Southern League Premier South side pooled together donations”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Charlie Austin joined Basingstoke Town after leaving AFC Totton in the summer.
Thank you!
Charlie Austin has left Basingstoke Town after two months Tight finances meant the Southern League Premier South side pooled together donations from their fans to pay the striker‘s wages.
But Austin has been forced to quit after just two months after picking up an injury.
He made just three appearances, scoring on his debut against Wimborne Town.
Basingstoke confirmed supporter payments for his salary would be halted immediately, as requested by Austin, 36.
A club statement read: “We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made his time with us possible.
“The generosity, commitment, and sheer determination shown by our Members and supporters was really something.
“From the first conversations to the final details, people went above and beyond, giving their time, effort, and resources to make something, at least in our world, extraordinary happen.
“With Charlie’s history, it was a signing that never felt possible until we leaned on the generosity of our supporters. What followed became a shining example of what this football club stands for. Collective spirit and everyone playing their ‘small’ part in creating something bigger.
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“Contributors to Charlie’s wages have been kept up to date with developments throughout, and will know that supporter payments for his wages were halted once we became aware of Charlie’s injury, in line with his wishes.
“We’d like to thank Charlie for his time at our club, scoring on his debut and that memorable assist away at Taunton. We wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”
One fan reacted to the news saying: “Can the fans who contributed get their money back?”
Another added: “Really disappointing that having gone to such lengths to try to get that signing over the line, he moves on to play elsewhere. Never know the full back stories on things but that feels like we’ve been hung out to dry.”
A third wrote: “Shock of the century.”
Austin went back to his non-league roots last year after leaving League Two side Swindon Town.
He made 111 Prem appearances for the likes of QPR, Southampton and West Brom, scoring 34 goals.