To Those Dearly Departed ...

Last updated : 20 October 2003 By NigelBlues

ANDY LEGG
Went to Peterborough as player-coach but upgraded to Barry Fry's No 2 already after some backroom shuffle.

Used mostly in central midfield and now passed his 37th birthday, he's done well and is in good form. Six bookings in thirteen starts shows he hasn't lost his "appetite" for the game but his side are struggling currently one place outside the Division Two relegation zone.

Much missed by City fans but even he must admit the move has helped his desire to play football and his career too.

LEO FORTUNE-WEST
Started in blitzing form with three goals in his opening two games and another in his 5th appearance but has gone off the boil since.

Only 1 goal in his last 8 appearances, a red card in a home defeat versus Yeovil and demoted to the substitute's bench from where he has made his last three appearances. He was a non-playing sub last Saturday as Doncaster remain firmly in the play-off places.

GARETH AINSWORTH
City's decision not to offer Ainsworth a contract for this season was criticised by many, it increased as he became an instant hit at QPR with 5 goals in his opening 5 games but, like Leo, it's been a bit quieter since. Only 1 start over the past month, he is currently having to content himself with 25 minute substitute appearances although he scored again at the last of last month in a 4-0 demolition of Barnsley.

ANDY JORDAN
Not one we missed to be honest but he went to Hartlepool and started the season as a first choice central defender. Incredibly, he has so far managed to avoid scoring any own goals but he's also stopped playing for them starting only one game since the end of August. Is he injured? Probably.

DISCO DES HAMILTON
Seems to be doing reasonably well at Grimsby. He recovered from a red card in his 2nd appearance to become a regular fixture in central midfield so far making 11 appearances and, unusually, avoiding injury. He deserves a run of games, good luck to him.

STEVE JENKINS
Now at Notts County and apparently their Captain but it's a tough season. His side lost their opening game 5-0 and have been in the Division Tow relegation zone all season having won just twice all season, Jenkins has played 11 times so far.

The remaining players who left the club this summer - Mark Walton, Simon Heall, Tony Wallis, Gethin Jones, Martyn Giles and last and certainly least the Chinese David Beckham - all appeared to have drifted into non-league football or out of the game although there were rumours of Fan Zhiyi at Newport whilst Gethin Jones works at the Welsh Assembly and socially, still seems to be close to many City players.

Two and a half months into the new season, despite the outcry over some at the time, it's hard to say any players released were now a mistake or that they have been badly missed as the club continue to progress and build.