Sam Stockley fears his Football League career could be over unless his ill-fated free transfer from Oxford to Colchester United is completed in the next few days.
The former Barnet wing-back is currently caught in the middle of a wrangle after his new 18-month deal with the U's fell through just before Friday night's 4-2 Division Two defeat at Mansfield.
Stockley was prevented from playing in the match after Oxford chairman Firoz Kassam introduced an 11th hour sell-on clause - believed to range between 25-50 per cent of any future transfer fee - into the equation.
A distraught Stockley, who reported back at Oxford this morning, said: "I'm totally gutted and I really don't know how or why all this has happened.
"I'm just a pawn in the game and they are messing around with a young player's career here and a young family's life.
"I'm just living in hope that something can be sorted out and I'll be a Colchester player sometime this week."
Stockley added: "Oxford have made it clear that I'm not part of their future plans and knowing the state of football this sort of thing can ruin a player's career."
U's boss Steve Whitton said: "We will be doing all we can to resolve the problem, but we and Sam Stockley signed a free transfer deal in good faith."
Micky Cook's Colchester United youngsters are in action at Layer Road tonight against St Albans City in the second round of the FA Youth Cup, kick-off 7.45pm.
More on Colchester United FC
What are your views on Colchester United? Have your say on our Views on the U's bulletin board.
Published Monday November 4, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article