SOCCER: Twenty-year-old striker Troy Duporte is desperately seeking a new club after being disillusioned with Hadleigh United. The former West Suffolk College Football Academy pupil averages a goal a game for the reserves – yet said he is still not getting a full game.

TWENTY-year-old striker Troy Duporte is desperately seeking a new club after being disillusioned with Hadleigh United.

The former West Suffolk College Football Academy pupil averages a goal a game for the reserves – yet said he is still not getting a full game.

"I am not big-headed but I was often the best player on the pitch," said Duporte today. "For some reason my face does not fit and it was before Christmas when I started my last game for the club.

"Since then it has been ten minutes here and five minutes there for the reserves in the Border League. Second team manager Andy Grimsey recommends that I look for a new club."

Louis Newman, Hadleigh first team manager, refutes Duporte's allegations and says there is more to being a member of a football club than just kicking a ball.

Duporte lives on Chantry Estate, Ipswich and works at a nightclub on Fridays. "Often I am not in bed until

5am on Saturday mornings, yet I still get up in time to play my football," he added.

"There have been times when I wish I hadn't as I have travelled with the first team to places like Wisbech and been on the pitch for just a few minutes.

"I was recommended to Hadleigh after leaving College but found that not many players train and that smoking in the dressing room is not discouraged.

"The final straw was when Hadleigh Reserves played Bramford United at Ipswich Wanderers' ground in a friendly and I played left back, right back and then in midfield. I was not asked to play up front.

"I am actively looking for a new start as I am sure I will always score goals. Hopefully a club will come in for me as at the moment I don't know where to turn."

Newman received a summer telephone call from Danny Laws at West Suffolk College asking him to have a look at Duporte and he said today that he was prepared to take a gamble.

"But Troy has not proved himself above College level. He was out of his depth in the First Division of the Jewson League and still has a lot to learn.

"He may be quick and can put the ball in the net, but there is more to football than that. He failed to turn up for one reserve game, which we did not say anything about and decided to give him another chance.

"There was no phone call and no apology. The next game he was substitute and he left the dug-out with 20 minutes remaining saying that he had had enough.

"To run a club our size I have to have discipline – and this must run right through the club. It might have been a culture shock for him to play in the Border League with the reserves and both Andy and myself are disappointed with Troy's attitude.

"He thinks he is a better player than he is. To be frank, at the moment he is not good enough for the first team. I took a gamble and had him in my squad a few times but it did not work out."

Duporte can be contacted on 077860 36155.