ADDICKS NEW BOY NESS IS MET’S BIG SUCCESS
MET POLICE chairman Des Flanders says selling teenage protégé Lucas Ness to Charlton Athletic is proof that his club’s academy system is working.
Defender Ness, who turned 18 just last week and is still studying for his A-Levels in the summer, was snapped up by the Championship Addicks following a successful trial at The Valley.
It was a bitter sweet moment for Met chief Flanders, who commented: “The successful transfer of Lucas to Charlton is tinged with sadness for our club.
“Lucas has been with us over a number of years and has developed through our junior, youth reserve and first teams.
“His success is further evidence of our ability to develop boys to a level making them ready for the professional game.”
Owing to his age and the fact Met could not tie Ness down to a contract, the BetVictor Southern Premier South club could not command a fee for their prized asset but Flanders revealed: “We have been in discussion with Charlton over a compensation package but are entirely reliant on them recognising the time and effort that has gone into Lucas’ development.
“We are hopeful that a settlement will be offered which respects our position. We all wish Lucas every success on the journey on which he has now embarked”
Meanwhile, talented Lewes goalkeeper Taylor Seymour is set to stay on trial at League One club Portsmouth until the end of the season.
The 18-year-old has so far impressed Pompey chiefs in a four-week trial on the south coast in which time he has featured in three Premier League Cup matches since the turn of the year, most recently a 2-1 defeat at Exeter earlier this month.
But following the loan departure of Luke McGee to Bradford, Petar Durin’s release and Leon Pitman’s wrist injury, Seymour has been asked to stay on for longer at Fratton Park.