The Accrington Stanley Maldini that shut out Gio’s new look strike force

Ross Sykes probably never featured on the Imaginative Transfer Policy drawn up by Ross Wilson during the summer. 

The 23-year-old had spent a decade coming through the ranks at Accrington Stanley, other than Josh Windass the English outpost hasn’t much of a reputation for producing top flight footballers. 

An undisclosed fee too Sykes from Accrington to Union SG last month with informed estimates putting the fee at between £200,000 and £500,000. No doubt there would also be add-ons. 

Sykes played on the right of Union’s back three, fitting in more comfortably than any of the square pegs selected by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. 

Covering the transfer last month the Accy website reported: 

Accrington Stanley can today confirm that defender Ross Sykes has joined Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for an undisclosed fee. 

The 23-year-old, who was born in Burnley, had a one-year contract extension triggered by the Reds but scouts have long been watching him and the Belgian side have made the move. 

Having been released by his hometown club at the age of 13, Sykes then progressed through the ranks at the Wham Stadium and signed his first professional contract in 2016. 

The centre-back, who made his EFL Trophy debut at just 17, went out on loan to Southport in 2017, the only other club he has played for apart from Stanley. 

Good luck to Ross next week at Ibrox.

CLICK HERE for his UEFA profile.

This mob bought a Centre Half from Accrington Stanley in the summer for £200k … we have made him look like prime Maldini … what an absolute disgrace.

— The Blue Room (@TheBlueRoom1) August 2, 2022

Was going off this. I don’t see much reference to the Belgian league on your timeline so will take your word on the competitiveness!! They are not very good, that is for sure. Just unfortunate that last night we were even worse ? pic.twitter.com/Noj1JxyMiB

— The Blue Room (@TheBlueRoom1) August 3, 2022