Charlie Austin’s fan-funded move to Basingstoke Town has come to an end after just two months.
The former Premier League regular initially moved to the seventh division club in August and his salary was paid by the club fans.
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Austin played four games for ‘Stoke, scoring one goal on his debut. However, he suffered an injury against Hungerford Town.
The 36-year-old successfully campaigned for payments to fans to be stopped immediately so that fans and members do not have to pay for an inactive player.
Charlie Austin leaves Basingstoke Town FC after four games
Announcing Austin’s departure in a statement, ‘Stoke said: “We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made his time with us possible.”
“The generosity, commitment and sheer determination of our members and supporters have been truly special.
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“From the first conversations to the final details, people gave their best and dedicated their time, effort and resources to make something extraordinary possible, at least in our world.
“Given Charlie’s history, it was a commitment that was never thought possible until we leaned on the generosity of our supporters.
“What followed became a shining example of what this football club stands for: community spirit and everyone doing their ‘small’ part to create something bigger.”
The Hampshire side then updated fans on what had happened to Austin’s wages and gave a hint about his future.
They continued: “Contributors to Charlie’s wages have been kept informed of developments at all times and are aware that payments to supporters for his wages were stopped in accordance with his wishes as soon as we became aware of Charlie’s injury.”
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“Charlie played in our first three games, scoring a goal on his debut and assisting a goal where he sustained an injury in our 1-1 draw away at Taunton.
“He played again against Hungerford Town where unfortunately the injury reoccurred.
“We understand that an agreement will see Charlie move to a club much closer to his family home.
“We would like to thank Charlie for his time at our club, for his goal on his debut and for that memorable assist away at Taunton.
“We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
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Charlie Austin’s Football Journey
Austin is best known for his time in the Premier League, where he scored a very impressive 34 goals in 111 games for QPR, Southampton and West Brom.
He left the latter team in 2021 and returned to QPR for two seasons in the Championship before heading abroad for the first time, signing with Australian A-League club Brisbane Roar.
Austin played just 11 games Down Under and returned to England for two seasons with Swindon Town in the fourth tier.
In his mid-30s, the typical retirement age for strikers, Austin went on to join seventh division side AFC Totton and explained to The Pitch Prospect why.
“You know what I think is important? Family time. I wanted to spend more time with family,” he said in August 2024.
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“My son is eight years old now and he loves football and I coach his team and train for him.”
“I don’t want to miss it, but when I went to Brisbane I enjoyed it.”
“But when I came back, in the last 18 months since I came back, I felt like football had somehow changed for me, the attitude.”
“Respectfully, I played for Swindon in the second division and I wasn’t really used to the issues that arose around the football club.”
“The people there were very different to the people I was used to at other clubs and I just thought, ‘I don’t want that stress’.”
“I don’t need this whole thing, I don’t need the politics that goes on in these football clubs and argues about irrelevant things, really.”
“For me it would be better to just play part time, enjoy time with family but join a football club that is trying, trying to understand where it is but seeing it for what it is.”