Solly’s club record transfer to Championship side Cardiff will provide a much-needed boost to the Daggers’ coffers but will leave a huge gap in the team’s midfield.
The £200,000+ fee certainly can’t be sneezed at, particularly at a time when several clubs are struggling to make ends meet. Once again it represents an incredibly shrewd piece of business by Daggers’ supremo, John Still.
The mere fact that Solly was plying his trade at Conference South outfit Sutton United less than two years ago and will now form part of a Premier League-chasing team, represents a huge success story not only for the player, but also Dagenham & Redbridge FC. It is proof that hungry, talented lower league players will be handed an opportunity when penning a deal at Victoria Road, and will often go on to bigger things. This deal, while painful for supporters, will certainly strengthen the kudos of the club making it an even more attractive proposition for aspiring lower league footballers.
But while it is clearly good business, we’re also a sentimental bunch here at 9-men.co.uk. So here’s a look back at Solly’s time at the club.
Solly clearly enjoyed the idea of an early bath a little too much when he first signed, taking a pre-emptive dip twice in his opening games for the Daggers. Supporters were rightly scratching their heads and wondering whether Mr Still had made a rare bum signing. These fears were soon allayed however as Taiwo emerged as a regular performer in the heart of the Daggers’ midfield that year.
His partnership with Peter Gain formed an important part of the Daggers’ promotion push last season. Although a mid-season blip in form saw him make way early in some matches, he finished the season strongly and emerged in this campaign as arguably the club’s prize asset given his age.
Sparkling early season form brought the Bluebirds flocking, although the Welsh club were apparently long-term admirers of the Nigerian-born midfielder. A wonderful free kick effort in the opening game at Crewe which brushed the side netting preceded a delightful through ball which set Benson on his way for the Daggers’ opening day winning goal.
The subsequent maulings of Torquay United and Shrewsbury Town further entrenched his status as the team’s star performer, with set piece delivery exquisite, if not always straight off the training ground. Such was his golden touch in the game against Shrewsbury that John barked to the Daggers No.5 to just ‘smash it!’ from fully 40 yards. His Midas touch led to a far greater freedom within the team’s formation, a similar role enjoyed by Saunders early last season when his form was sublime.
An incredibly talented player who should feel right at home in the Championship. Good luck Sol.
