Our most expensive player departs on loan until the end of his contract, to then be bought on a free, it’s this aspect of the deal that has frustrated fans more than anything else!
We all know he’s not had the best of seasons, you don’t have to look beyond the 5 goals in 23 games to see that, so his departure is no surprise nor concern in truth – in footballing terms. The Effiong acquisition was only to facilitate this further, there wasn’t enough room for the two of them.
Only, the knowledge that he departs in the summer for nothing, after what we paid for him – it seems the club have cut their losses. Yes, there was most likely a profit made on Josh Walker but not anywhere near as big as we’d have liked, and most of that will no doubt have gone on Effiong’s transfer.
McCallum’s time at the club…
Early on, he was flying, McMahon’s marquee signing he was set to be the leading light to ‘take Dagenham & Redbridge back’. In his first two seasons at the club, you have to say, he lived up to the hype and the prolific Paul McCallum the National League knew was scoring goals for Dagenham.
He netted 18 times in his inaugural campaign in a Daggers shirt then bettered that tally by one last season, but this season told a different story. He was off to a great start in 2022/23, but the goals soon dried up, then an injury kept him on the sidelines – unable to rediscover his form or his regular place in the side since.
There were some great moments for the number 9 at the club, and he did – as he hoped in his farewell message – bring some joy to our weekends. Only, even he couldn’t deliver on the dream of taking Dagenham back to the football league.
Frustration grows with uncertainty…
Back to today, and I share the frustrations of supporters on twitter [see below] in reaction to the statement and the last week at the club.
That ‘rumour mill’ that’s spinning could be stopped with clarity in a statement, as has been the case in the past, a reiteration of commitment to the season’s objectives.
As I said in the last post, there is frustration at the silence of the owners, but it is 99.9% likely to be the case that they and McMahon will be here come the end of the season.
But that silence coupled with the departure of your number 7 and number 9 in the space of a week does nobody any favours.
The last throw of the dice…
You can’t help but sense a desperation around the club this week that began with Walker’s departure, only made worse by back to back defeats on the pitch and now this.
That McMahon interview after the Oldham game is nothing new but at this stage in the season and with the fixture schedule ahead – it’s make or break and the endgame seems nigh.
We face two play-off rivals within a few days at Victoria Road, Solihull tomorrow and then Eastleigh on Tuesday. The players have come out fighting to save him before, but the task now seems harder than ever.
So, the departure of our number 9 and number 7 in the space of the week! Just a normal week at Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club.
Let’s follow it all up with 6 points!
Come On You Daggers!
Full Time Daggers 
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