Bobby Bjork, a former Blackpool sensation, joined a team in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division, but Sunderland lost out on getting him.
Bjork was one of the standouts in Blackpool’s academy system and had spent the previous few seasons playing for the Tangerines’ Under-18 team. However, the 18-year-old made the decision not to sign a new deal with Bloomfield Road after his scholarship came to an end in the summer.
The right-back appeared to be on the verge of joining Sunderland’s Under-21 team, and assistant coach John Hewitson said that they were in talks to sign both Bjork and Silko Thomas, a young former Chelsea player.
Hewitson noted in mid-August when discussing the transactions
“I believe that the club and agents are still negotiating at this time.
Although our recruiting staff brought in the guys, I am aware of their talent. However, there are other clubs as well. We’re merely attempting to determine the lay of the land and whether or not our offerings are appropriate for them, which ideally they are.
Bjork had been working out with Sunderland’s under-21 team and had even participated in a game for Graeme Murty’s team against Huddersfield Town. The youthful fullback did not agree to terms with the Championship team, though.
Instead, according to the Blackpool Gazette, Bjork has made a permanent move to the North West Counties Football League Premier Division, where she will join Burscough in the eighth division of English football, the same league as Bury.
Bjork’s contract negotiations fell through, according to U21 assistant coach Hewitson, who spoke to the Sunderland Echo [via the Blackpool Gazette]:
Both the club and [he] decided to pursue other opportunities.
“It’s just one of those things. That was something we looked at, and although we tried several approaches, it didn’t work out. It’s just one of those things, so we go on and look at other people.
