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The options for Leeds United
"It is not only the players who are causing problems for Leeds United with their stubborn behaviour."
If they are to avoid going into administration the board, management and players of Leeds United face some very difficult decisions this week.
Having temporarily managed to stave off this threat the Elland Road club were given an additional seven days to find the money needed to keep them in business for the rest of the season. In all likelihood, if the money is not raised by this coming Monday (January 26) then Leeds United will become the first Premiership club to be placed into the hands of administrators. The figure required to rescue the club from this fate is said to be around five million pounds, but it seems that finding the best way to raise this cash is causing yet more friction at the stricken club.
Earlier in the week the Leeds United players were asked what they thought of the idea of deferring a percentage of their wages until the end of the season. At first the response seemed positive as it emerged that the players had agreed to this in principle. However, it was later reported that the players were only prepared to do this as a last resort, and that it would only happen at the end of the month if at all. With the wolf at the door it seemed that the end of the month would be too late. Leading the players on their stance, and possibly leadiing the famous old club into financial meltdown in the process was PFA Chairman Gordon Taylor. Taylor explained that the players had every right to expect their contracts to be paid in full when they signed them, and that a deferral of wages should not be something that the players should feel obliged to undertake.
This is a typical and understandable view for any union representative to take. However, when it is applied to footballers it becomes overly simplistic. These are men who are paid not in hundreds of pounds, like the mere mortals among us, but in tens of thousands of pounds per week. Is it really asking too much for them to do without that extra Ferrari so that one of English football's biggest clubs can survive for a while longer? After all, wasn't it the players who contributed to the current plight of Leeds United? Although several of their colleagues were sold off around them, it is the players whose performances have led to the very real threat of relegation from the Premiership, which in turn causes major financial difficulties.
Today (Thursday January 22) the players have issued another statement insisting that no decision has yet been taken as to whether or not any wage deferral will be accepted. This despite the earlier reports that they were not prepared to defer wages until at least the end of the month. Regular readers of my work will be wary of my cynicism, but I would suggest that this statement is a response to public opinion. It seems that the Leeds United players have become aware that the public expects them to do the decent thing, given the absurd amounts of money that they earn.
Unhelpfully adding to the debate is Sunderland Football Club. Chairman Bob Murray and manager Mick McCarthy have both spoken today of the fact that the Sunderland players recently agreed to a 25% wage deferral to save their club. All of which adds yet more pressure on the Leeds players to follow suit as time runs out for the club. Quite whether the Leeds situation is any business of those at Sunderland is questionable, but they have certainly set an interesting precedent for Leeds to follow.
It is not only the players who are causing problems for Leeds United with their stubborn behaviour. The board are steadfastly refusing to sell any more of their players. Wary of past criticism during the now infamous Elland Road fire sales over the last eighteen months, the board are adamant that the likes of Robinson, Viduka and Smith will not be sold to ease the financial crisis at the club. Aswell as fears of a backlash from fans, the board must also have very real fears that more sales will only rubber-stamp Leeds' relegation from the Premiership into the Nationwide League. This would have devastating financial consequences for the club regardless of whether they enter the Nationwide League in administration or not. However, is it not possible that this current Leeds United team will suffer relegation whether or not more players are sold in the current window? Relegation, whether Leeds United's fans, players and board like it or not is a distinct possibility. Surely it would be wiser to enter the Nationwide League on something like a secure financial footing. Relegation would lead to the exits of these players in any case as it has with many of the star players formerly with West Ham United, and it may just be time for the board to bite the bullet.
It is reported that Tottenham have bid five million pounds, coincidentally the amount rumoured to be needed to keep Leeds going, for the services of Paul Robinson and James Milner. That Leeds have rejected this offer may just be evidence that they are driving a harder bargain than Tottenham anticipated. If Spurs come back with an improved offer it may just be that common sense will prevail. It has to be said that offering five million pounds for two young players of great talent like Robinson and Milner is a classic example of another Premiership club trying to take advantage of another's financial problems. While Tottenham have a responsibilty to get the best deal possible, Leeds' financial position must not lead them into shipping out players on the cheap as they did with Harry Kewell.
The board are making one or two attempts to release players. Today it was announced that Roque Junior will be having his contract terminated by the club. The Brazillian who is routinely referred to as a 'World Cup winner', has showed nothing of his pedigree during his short spell with Leeds United and it is perhaps wise that the two part company. However, two more players have refused to sign termination agreements despite being told that they are no longer required at Elland Road. Zoumana Camara and Didier Domi seem determined to dig their heels in, for reasons best known to themselves. All of which does nothing to help Leeds' cause, making a high profile sale an increasing possibility.
And all of this because they chased the dream of challenging Manchester United and Arsenal's Premiership duopoly. Sometimes boldness is not rewarded as we would like.
By Stephen Orford
22/01/2004
The options for Leeds United
"It is not only the players who are causing problems for Leeds United with their stubborn behaviour."
If they are to avoid going into administration the board, management and players of Leeds United face some very difficult decisions this week.
Having temporarily managed to stave off this threat the Elland Road club were given an additional seven days to find the money needed to keep them in business for the rest of the season. In all likelihood, if the money is not raised by this coming Monday (January 26) then Leeds United will become the first Premiership club to be placed into the hands of administrators. The figure required to rescue the club from this fate is said to be around five million pounds, but it seems that finding the best way to raise this cash is causing yet more friction at the stricken club.
Earlier in the week the Leeds United players were asked what they thought of the idea of deferring a percentage of their wages until the end of the season. At first the response seemed positive as it emerged that the players had agreed to this in principle. However, it was later reported that the players were only prepared to do this as a last resort, and that it would only happen at the end of the month if at all. With the wolf at the door it seemed that the end of the month would be too late. Leading the players on their stance, and possibly leadiing the famous old club into financial meltdown in the process was PFA Chairman Gordon Taylor. Taylor explained that the players had every right to expect their contracts to be paid in full when they signed them, and that a deferral of wages should not be something that the players should feel obliged to undertake.
This is a typical and understandable view for any union representative to take. However, when it is applied to footballers it becomes overly simplistic. These are men who are paid not in hundreds of pounds, like the mere mortals among us, but in tens of thousands of pounds per week. Is it really asking too much for them to do without that extra Ferrari so that one of English football's biggest clubs can survive for a while longer? After all, wasn't it the players who contributed to the current plight of Leeds United? Although several of their colleagues were sold off around them, it is the players whose performances have led to the very real threat of relegation from the Premiership, which in turn causes major financial difficulties.
Today (Thursday January 22) the players have issued another statement insisting that no decision has yet been taken as to whether or not any wage deferral will be accepted. This despite the earlier reports that they were not prepared to defer wages until at least the end of the month. Regular readers of my work will be wary of my cynicism, but I would suggest that this statement is a response to public opinion. It seems that the Leeds United players have become aware that the public expects them to do the decent thing, given the absurd amounts of money that they earn.
Unhelpfully adding to the debate is Sunderland Football Club. Chairman Bob Murray and manager Mick McCarthy have both spoken today of the fact that the Sunderland players recently agreed to a 25% wage deferral to save their club. All of which adds yet more pressure on the Leeds players to follow suit as time runs out for the club. Quite whether the Leeds situation is any business of those at Sunderland is questionable, but they have certainly set an interesting precedent for Leeds to follow.
It is not only the players who are causing problems for Leeds United with their stubborn behaviour. The board are steadfastly refusing to sell any more of their players. Wary of past criticism during the now infamous Elland Road fire sales over the last eighteen months, the board are adamant that the likes of Robinson, Viduka and Smith will not be sold to ease the financial crisis at the club. Aswell as fears of a backlash from fans, the board must also have very real fears that more sales will only rubber-stamp Leeds' relegation from the Premiership into the Nationwide League. This would have devastating financial consequences for the club regardless of whether they enter the Nationwide League in administration or not. However, is it not possible that this current Leeds United team will suffer relegation whether or not more players are sold in the current window? Relegation, whether Leeds United's fans, players and board like it or not is a distinct possibility. Surely it would be wiser to enter the Nationwide League on something like a secure financial footing. Relegation would lead to the exits of these players in any case as it has with many of the star players formerly with West Ham United, and it may just be time for the board to bite the bullet.
It is reported that Tottenham have bid five million pounds, coincidentally the amount rumoured to be needed to keep Leeds going, for the services of Paul Robinson and James Milner. That Leeds have rejected this offer may just be evidence that they are driving a harder bargain than Tottenham anticipated. If Spurs come back with an improved offer it may just be that common sense will prevail. It has to be said that offering five million pounds for two young players of great talent like Robinson and Milner is a classic example of another Premiership club trying to take advantage of another's financial problems. While Tottenham have a responsibilty to get the best deal possible, Leeds' financial position must not lead them into shipping out players on the cheap as they did with Harry Kewell.
The board are making one or two attempts to release players. Today it was announced that Roque Junior will be having his contract terminated by the club. The Brazillian who is routinely referred to as a 'World Cup winner', has showed nothing of his pedigree during his short spell with Leeds United and it is perhaps wise that the two part company. However, two more players have refused to sign termination agreements despite being told that they are no longer required at Elland Road. Zoumana Camara and Didier Domi seem determined to dig their heels in, for reasons best known to themselves. All of which does nothing to help Leeds' cause, making a high profile sale an increasing possibility.
And all of this because they chased the dream of challenging Manchester United and Arsenal's Premiership duopoly. Sometimes boldness is not rewarded as we would like.
By Stephen Orford
22/01/2004
