Leeds United Football Club - Players Will Help Out - Taylor
Players Will Help Out - Taylor
Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor is confident the Leeds players will agree to a wage deferral as Trevor Birch prepares to discuss the issue with the players this week.
United announced they have another seven days in which to address the financial shortfall at the club, with £5m needed for operating costs until the end of the season, and wage deferrals is seen as one of the best options to achieve this saving.
Chief executive Trevor Birch has made it clear he does not expect the club to find a buyer until the club knows which division it will be in next season.
Taylor, who points to Leicester City and Ipswich as prime examples, says players are generally receptive to helping out however they can when clubs are in trouble.
"In order to keep the club alive, I believe the attitude of the players is excellent," said Taylor.
"People underestimate the loyalty of players. At times they get quite a bit of criticism unfairly directed at them, but they have quite a bond with supporters.
"At the moment it is a backs-to-the-wall situation at Leeds and the players are prepared to play their part as well as the fans who are remaining very loyal.
"If deferrals are necessary to keep the club alive then they (Leeds) will look at that very seriously as other members have done in other situations.
"It has been successful in the past, although we are talking about much smaller, but still serious, amounts for the club concerned.
"We would always want contracts to be sacrosanct, but to delay monies to give clubs breathing space is where players have been understanding."
Skipper Dominic Matteo revealed last week that he would be prepared to take a wage cut should it be necessary.
"If I am going to get a wage loss but I am still playing football, I am not particularly bothered about that to be truthful," he said.
"Maybe some people are but I am not personally."
Players Will Help Out - Taylor
Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor is confident the Leeds players will agree to a wage deferral as Trevor Birch prepares to discuss the issue with the players this week.
United announced they have another seven days in which to address the financial shortfall at the club, with £5m needed for operating costs until the end of the season, and wage deferrals is seen as one of the best options to achieve this saving.
Chief executive Trevor Birch has made it clear he does not expect the club to find a buyer until the club knows which division it will be in next season.
Taylor, who points to Leicester City and Ipswich as prime examples, says players are generally receptive to helping out however they can when clubs are in trouble.
"In order to keep the club alive, I believe the attitude of the players is excellent," said Taylor.
"People underestimate the loyalty of players. At times they get quite a bit of criticism unfairly directed at them, but they have quite a bond with supporters.
"At the moment it is a backs-to-the-wall situation at Leeds and the players are prepared to play their part as well as the fans who are remaining very loyal.
"If deferrals are necessary to keep the club alive then they (Leeds) will look at that very seriously as other members have done in other situations.
"It has been successful in the past, although we are talking about much smaller, but still serious, amounts for the club concerned.
"We would always want contracts to be sacrosanct, but to delay monies to give clubs breathing space is where players have been understanding."
Skipper Dominic Matteo revealed last week that he would be prepared to take a wage cut should it be necessary.
"If I am going to get a wage loss but I am still playing football, I am not particularly bothered about that to be truthful," he said.
"Maybe some people are but I am not personally."