Callum is a fantastic lad
CALLUM Elder became the first high-profile departure from Hull City this summer after head coach Liam Rosenior opted against offering a new contract to the left-back.
Elder’s departure, however, will be felt throughout the dressing room, according to Rosenior, despite his decision to allow the 28-year-old Australian to move on.
The League One titlewinning defender, who made 137 appearances across three years at the MKM Stadium, was a key member of what is a tight-knit dressing room, playing a big role along with skipper Lewie Coyle in helping last summer’s raft of new signings settle in.
“He’s a huge loss in the dressing room,” Rosenior said of Elder. “I can’t say a bad word about Callum Elder, who was magnificent not just for me, but in his service to the club. Helping the club, helping the club get promoted, helping the club become stable in the Championship.”
Conversations were held in the run-up to the final game of the season at Luton Town last Monday afternoon, with Rosenior telling every member of his squad face-toface where they fit into his plans next season, something he says was important.
“It was a really difficult conversation to be honest, and that’s one thing I’ve learned about myself,” he said. “I promised the players that whether it was good news or bad news, I would sit in front of them and tell them as a man, and that’s why we did it on Thursday, and I had a few more on Saturday.
“Honestly, I don’t have a bad word to say about him. He’s a fantastic lad, he’s a great character in the dressing room and I’m sure he’s going to go on and have a successful career.”