Sunderland have missed out on signing former Blackpool sensation Bobby Bjork after the teenager joined a club in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.
Bjork had spent the last few seasons with the Tangerines, playing in the Under-18s and was one of the bright sparks in Blackpool’s academy setup. However, after his scholarship ended in the summer, the 18-year-old decided not to sign a new contract at Bloomfield Road.
It looked as though the right-back was set to sign for Sunderland’s Under-21s and assistant coach John Hewitson admitted that they were in talks to bring both Bjork and former Chelsea youngster Silko Thomas to the club.
Speaking on the deals back in mid-August, Hewitson said [quotes via Chronicle Live]:
“I think at the moment the club is still in negotiations with agents.
“I know the boys are talented, our recruitment staff have brought them in, but there’s other clubs as well. We’re just trying to see where the land lies, if our offers are suitable for them, and hopefully, they are.”
Bjork had been training with Sunderland’s U21s and even played for Graeme Murty’s side in a game against Huddersfield Town. However, the young fullback did not sign terms with the Championship side.
Instead, Bjork has permanently moved to the North West Counties Football League Premier Division, joining Burscough in the eighth tier of English football, the same league as Bury, as per the Blackpool Gazette.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, U21s assistant coach Hewitson revealed why contract talks with Bjork broke down [quotes via the Blackpool Gazette]:
“The club chose not to pursue and also [he] chose to go elsewhere.
“It’s just one of them things, that was something that we looked at, we had different lines of going into that avenue but it just didn’t come off. We move on and have a look at other people really and it’s just one of them things.”
Writer’s View
This is quite a bizarre scenario. Bobby Bjork chose to turn down a move to a club in the second tier of the English pyramid with a great track record of developing young players and making it into the first team. Instead, he has joined a team in the eighth tier.
Hopefully, for his career’s sake, he has made the right decision. Only time will tell.
Deputy Head of Writing
