Priory chief happy to keep on producing stars like Cornick (From Thisisdorset)

Priory chief happy to keep on producing stars like Cornick

7:00am Saturday 12th January 2013 in Latest Sport By Neil Perrett

CHAIRMAN Mark Duffy insists Christchurch will resist the temptation to compromise their amateur status despite seeing another young player leave for nothing.

Duffy was speaking after highly-rated winger Harry Cornick had become the latest product of the Priory conveyor belt to join the professional ranks.

Cornick, who progressed through the youth system at Hurn Bridge, this week signed an 18-month deal with Cherries following a successful trial spell at Dean Court.

The 17-year-old will continue to turn out for Christchurch and complete his studies at Poole Grammar School before joining Eddie Howe’s squad permanently in pre-season.

While Christchurch are likely to host Cherries in a friendly as part of the deal, the Wessex Premier club will not receive a transfer fee as Cornick was not on contract.

Cornick becomes the fifth Christchurch player to join a professional club, following Jody Craddock (Cambridge United), Dan West (Aston Villa), Ben Dickenson (Brighton) and Michael Green (Port Vale).

Chairman Duffy told the Daily Echo: “None of our players are on contract and none get paid. We have no plans to change our ethos.

“Bournemouth are not obliged to give us anything but we would hope they would recognise that Harry has come through our development system and offer us at least a friendly.

“We are not in a position to pay players. We are an amateur club and we know our position on the ladder. We want to work with and develop young players. If they go on to bigger and better things, it helps our credibility and profile.

“We would never stand in any player’s way but you just hope people give us something back and enable us in some way to keep doing the work we do.

“They need to support what we are doing so we can keep producing players.”

Duffy added: “We are grateful to Bournemouth for allowing Harry to remain with us for the rest of the season. It is fantastic news, we appreciate it and it is probably the right thing to do part way through a season.

“We are still competitive at the top of the league and it is important for Harry to continue playing while he continues his development under the umbrella of a professional club.

“Bournemouth will progress him and that will benefit us for the rest of the season.”