The view on Courtney Duffus
Hartlepool, Stockport, Morecambe, Bromley & Yeovil fans’ take on Macc’s new striker
Macc are thrilled with their latest summer signing after striker Courtney Duffus joined the club earlier today. Duffus will provide welcome support (and competition!) for the Silkmen’s other forwards Danny Elliott, Tom Clare and Kielan Adams, and possibly, teenager Joe Boggan who signed on a month’s loan from Blackburn last week.
Duffus, who has recently been on trial at Scunthorpe United, has endured a topsy-turvy career since graduating from Everton’s academy as a youngster. Impressive spells in the National League with Yeovil and Bromley have been punctuated by a catalogue of injuries (anterior cruciate ligament, thigh and ankle) which has seen his career stall at Hartlepool, Barrow, Stockport and Morecambe over the past three years.
When fit and at his best, 28 year-old Duffus can be a handful, as evidenced by him scoring ten goals in 25 appearances for Waterford in the League of Ireland during a loan spell in 2018. So, what can Macc expect from their latest signing who has played as high as League One?
Read on to hear the views of Hartlepool, Stockport, Morecambe, Bromley and Yeovil fans’ impression of Duffus following his time with them.
Hartlepool fans
Results of an end of season poll conducted by the HUFC Chat podcast on the topic of retaining Duffus for the 2024-25 season. “Look to bring back” (2%), “Never again” (98%). 276 votes.
Reacting to the news that Duffus had sustained an ankle injury and was potentially out for the season in April 2024:
“Nobody wants to see Duffus. Everyone wants to see the kids given a chance. Superb news”
“Not a great loss. Never got going for us”
“Done nothing of note, barring his own goal at Gateshead!”
“He’s injured, of course I feel sorry for the bloke but just add him to the list of absolute failures this season”
“Half a youth player would be double the player Duffus has been for Pools”
“He has been absolute rubbish for us. What a waste of a loan signing”
“It’s probably the reason he isn’t playing at a higher level. He’s got the talent, he just can’t keep fit”
“Stupid to bring him on. You could tell straight away he wasn’t fully fit”
Stockport fans
“Very nervous pre-match and unsure with the Courtney Duffus selection. Thought he had an unbelievable game”
“Good shout on Duffus. Led the line like a lion”
“He looked ace, and then we never saw him again”
“Stockport legend”
Morecambe fans
Results of a Twitter (now X) poll conducted by Morecambe FC Feed on the possibility of retaining Duffus. “Keep” 10%, “Release” 76%. “He wouldn’t sign a deal” 1%. “Depends on results” 12%. 269 votes.
“I would love to personally speak to the 25 people that have voted to keep Duffus”
Bromley fans
Reacting to the news that Duffus had signed for (then) League one side Morecambe:
“Best of luck Courtney. Hope you are back amongst the goals very soon, will keep an eye on results”
“Best of luck. Shame it didn’t work out here, obviously for many reasons out of anyone’s control”
“A great signing for them. All the best”
“Really hope the rumours about Courtney Duffus being offered out on loan aren’t true. He’s a top player and can give a lot to this Bromley squad”
Yeovil fans
On Duffus signing for League One Morecambe in 2021 from Bromley:
“Wow! Big move for him. He deserves it. It’s a jump, but if he has a strike partner he will score at that level. He is hard-working on the ball and knows how to make the most of half chances. We have missed his goals and workrate”
“He’s a decent NL player, struggled at L2 so can’t see him getting a look-in at L1 level”
“Was a brilliant player for Yeovil”
Reacting to Duffus leaving Yeovil to join Bromley:
“(makes sense) If he wasn’t going to sign a new deal and was out of contract in the summer. At least we got a fee for him – would have kept him over (Chris) Dagnall mind”
“Gutting but best of luck to him. Will always have fond memories given how he always put a shift in and genuinely made the club better with his performances. Best of luck for the future”
“This is absolutely gutting but if he didn’t want to be here then it’s probably best for the club and player that he moves on”
“He is a good player until he begins to sulk”
“What the hell are we doing? He’s literally our best striker”
“Gutted about this one. In my opinion he was the best all-round striker in the squad. A big blow”
“Wow. That is a horrendous decision made by our Board – probably the worse one ever made for me”
“Is this a joke? Been our best striker”
“I loved the bloke but if he didn’t want to be here, cheerio”