Its a Hardy Life

Aaron Hardy, who was 21 on Saturday, was injured at the end of last season and hasn’t played a game since Andy Ritchie succeeded Peter Jackson as manager.

Without seeing him in action, Ritchie was reluctant to add the versatile player to the list of those released.


‘Aaron has had a short break away with a few of the other lads, but we are going to sit down together and chat things through,’ said Ritchie.


‘I haven’t seen Aaron play and I thought it would have been very remiss of me to say to him that we couldn’t afford a contract when I haven’t even seen the poor lad take to the field.


‘With his injury, there was no chance of him playing a game before the end of the season, but I obviously spoke to John Dungworth, to Martyn Booty and to Gerry Murphy – who have all worked with him – about the type of player he is and how he goes about his business.


‘It was a unanimous decision – not just my own – to give him six months so that I can have a proper look at him, and I think that’s fair on everyone.’


‘He will be ready for pre-season and he will get some games under his belt, so we can make an assessment from there.


‘Aaron is happy with the situation, he knows why we have reached the decision and, as I’ve said, I will sit down with him and chat it through over the next few days.’