Teenager's Brentford move enhances Bognor's reputation

Ethan Robb has joined Brentford on loan / Picture: Lyn PhillipsEthan Robb has joined Brentford on loan / Picture: Lyn Phillips
Ethan Robb has joined Brentford on loan / Picture: Lyn Phillips
Robbie Blake says teenager Ethan Robb’s loan move to Brentford is fantastic for him – and can be great for the Rocks too.

The 18-year-old has joined the Bees B squad for the rest of the season and will aim to land a permanent move to the Championship club, who are in the frame for promotion to the Premier League.

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It’s been a steep rise for the midfielder-turned-central defender, who joined Bognor only last summer after being released by Pompey. Robb is on a contract at Nyewood Lane so if he does make the move to the south-west London club, the Rocks will be due a fee.

Blake told the Observer he was tipping Robb to do well in his loan move.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the lad and great that Brentford have shown genuine interest in him.

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“I remember saying to Jack (Pearce) after Ethan had been with us for just a couple of training sessions ‘This lad’s got a bit’.

“His composure and demeanour is just right. He’s comfortable on the ball and wants to listen and learn.

“He came to us after Portsmouth let him go and when that happens to a young player, they need to show the right attitude to football, and Ethan certainly has.”

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Blake said Robb’s move – like midfielder Tommy Block’s switch to Hibernian a couple of years ago – showed Bognor were a club who could develop young players and would not stand in their way if clubs at a higher levels showed interest.

But the Bognor assistant boss stressed that the sale of any stars would also be done in a way that protected the club financially.

“Bringing young players through is one thing we’re good at and we’d not hold them back with their career progression. We’re a very well-run club and this shows we’re a good club for a talented young player to come to.”

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Meanwhile Blake is not holding out high hopes of the Isthmian premier season restarting soon enough to be played to a finish. And he said it was ‘ludicrous’ to suggest two seasons’ results could be added together to work out promotion issues.

He said: “We all want to get back to playing but people are still dying and football has to take a back seat.

“The vaccinations are going well and let’s just hope we can get back together soon.

“In the meantime the priority is for everyone to stay safe and healthy.”