‘Hopefully we can point Charlie in the right direction’
A former Pompey talent has been challenged to reinvigorate his career after joining an eighth club in three years – at the age of 21.
Charlie Bell was once tipped for big things at Fratton Park after making three first-team outings in the 2020-21 campaign under Kenny Jackett.
However, the Blues supporter suffered heartbreak in the summer of 2021, when all academy second-year and third-year scholars were released, including Alfie Stanley,
Harvey Rew and Harry Kavanagh.
Since that surprise decision by Pompey, the highly-regarded attacking midfielder has also been at Bognor, Horsham, Moneyfields (twice), Portchester and Petersfield.
Now Bell, a former Fratton season-ticket holder, has made the switch to Wessex League Premier Division side Baffins Milton Rovers.
And new boss Danny Thompson has urged the youngster to fulfil his potential.
Thompson told The News: ‘A lot of lads when released from a professional club fall out of love for it a bit, they either give it up or get involved in other stuff.
‘Charlie is someone who has that ability, he doesn’t want to waste it, and, from talking to him, he seems to have that bit between his teeth again.
‘On his day, a fit Charlie Bell is without doubt one of the best players in our league, so hopefully we can get him fit and back playing to the highest of his ability. If we can push him on, he can quite easily go and play the next level and above.
‘He’s got a bit of work to do this season and hopefully we can be the club that can point him in the right direction.
‘I’ve told him he has to get himself fit. He can’t just do it on a Tuesday and Thursday in training, he has to get down the gym, to play 30-40 plus games this year. Give it a good go.
Charlie seems to have that bit between his teeth again
‘Charlie’s only 21 and what you don’t want at that age is getting a reputation of going from club to club to club.
‘Forget about the money side of it at this moment in time, knuckle down, do it for yourself, go and get fit. Come in with us, have a really good year and see where it can take you.
‘He’s still young enough