LOYALTY has never been at the forefront of the mind of the fiercely ambitious sportsman looking to further his career and boost his bank balance. Just ask any Premier League footballer where he’d rather be and the answer will tend to be along the lines of ‘where the money is’. But even by today’s fickle standards, Richard Midgley’s decision to quit Newcastle for Everton after just four months on Tyneside is difficult to fathom. As one of the Eagles’ top earning stars it is doubtful salary was an issue. And in terms of achieving personal success, there is no better place to be. Newcastle already look nailed on to win another league title, and a second clean sweep in three seasons is still on the cards. But Midgley has swapped all of that for an expansion franchise struggling for results in a city where basketball is in its infancy. According to the Team GB star, the move is all about minutes. Midgley doesn’t feel Fab Flournoy used him enough in a Newcastle vest and wants to increase his court time on Merseyside. Apparently, it is all part of the master plan to boost his numbers and emerge as the best performing point guard in the BBL. And that will swiftly bring him to the attention of the Euroleague clubs playing on the biggest stages and offering the biggest bucks. But at what cost? Everton might give Midge more time to showcase his skills but this mid-season move has done nothing for his personal profile. Questions will be asked about the mindset of a player who is prepared to jump ship so soon into his stint with a new club. And the Continent’s top coaches will be wondering what this really says about the true temperament of a clearly talented player. Throw in the fact that there will be no opportunity to star in a big British final – unless the Tigers suddenly turn the corner big style – and Midgley might have blundered. Just ask Olu Babalola. Like his big mate Midge, he has never quite bought into Flournoy’s intensive approach, and his fall-outs with the Eagles’ playcaller are well documented. Like Midgley, he doesn’t play every minute of every match and his numbers have never compared favourably to fellow BBL forwards. But at least Bab sees the bigger picture. By biting his lip and placing his faith in Fab, the Londoner emerged as the main man in last season’s Play-Off final – the biggest game of the British season. Cue a clutch of big-money offers from abroad and a sizzling summer profile most players would die for. Midgley could have followed suit. But it is a fair bet the fast-improving Olu will be back in the Play-Off mix next summer – at least two weeks after his former team-mate’s season has surely ended. And it is only then that the true wisdom of Midgley’s move can be gauged. Newcastle always feared a buy-out clause in the former Golden Bear’s contract could see a sudden move mid-season. But nobody ever imagined it would be to Everton. And whatever Midgley’s motivation for a simply bewildering switch one thing is for certain – he will never be the favourite Eagles fans had hoped for following the retirement of TJ Walker. | 
