Saido Berahino

Maybe it's his difficult start in life which has resulted in his couldn't give a **** attitude - drink driver, drug driving etc. It's obviously shaped his outlook and given him a real humility.

 

Players will still use a solicitor to advise them on the contract. The agent is there to promote the player, maximise their earnings and act as a bit of a wet nurse.

Players are happy to sign a three year contract and have that security. They will demand every penny that contract entitles them to. They just won't want to honour it - even though they are legally obligated to.

 

You're actually spot on there.
If a club commits to giving a player three years job and earnings security, then the player should commit to three years loyal service.
Sadly, as we all know, greed is the key to football at the top level.
It's a bit more understandable at lower levels when a player has literally 10-12 years to bank enough money to secure his future or face the prospect of becoming a 32 year old trainee plasterer, or trolley collector.

 

I'm not necessarily against players wanting to better themselves. The problem is how they and their agents go about it and the attitude that the big nasty football club is bullying me and won't let me move on. Don't sign a three year contract if you want to break it at the first opportunity.

Wonder what would happen if a club refused to pay a player after he was out inured for two months or more or couldn't get in the team? Wouldn't happen of course as they would be legally obligated to honour the contract.

 

I think we're arguing over semantics here, but your last line is essentially what's happening isn't it? The club holding the player's contract is compensated for them leaving. Generally the discussion is around the size of the compensation. In the Berahino example WBA decided that no amount of compensation was enough.

 

Yeah that's what i meant. If WBA are happy to be compensated then fair enough, and this is what happens in the majority of deals. I find it hard to believe that no amount of money would be enough, though. Regardless, they're well within their rights to honour the contract and as it has been pointed out they are paid huge amounts of money and signing on fees as it is.

 

The money in football is crazy. At the same time I’m sure most contracts in football break employment law. At the other end of the scale back in the day a mate of mine played for us. Turned up for training one day (I think he had 18 months on his contract) was told ‘we are selling you’. You need to go here to discuss a contract (London club). When he said I don’t want to I want to stay here. He was told in no uncertain terms that he was going whether he wanted or not and ended up uprooting his family etc and being pretty unhappy for a couple of years. I agree with you about the strike stuff but there are certainly 2 sides to things.

 

A notice period is negotiable. I have a one month notice period (might be a little longer), but if I moved to a rival firm I would expect to be placed on gardening leave with no access to company systems. In this situation, I could negotiate an hand-over and early release in lieu of owed leave or money. So instead of paying me for four weeks to sit about at home and watch Jeremy Kyle, my employer might pay for two weeks and I start my new job two weeks early.

 

Completely agree that clubs can treat players like crap, but i think it is much more common vice versa. I don't envy lower league players on say 40-50k a year being uprooted constantly for a relatively short career.

It seems to be becoming more common and acceptable for players to not return to training etc. and court other teams etc. It's definitely spoiling my love for the game to a certain degree, particularly the premier league.

 

None. They're all greedy, regardless of how they were brought up.

 

Their contracts in most cases are negotiable...

Also in some cases the company may have written into the contract that you are not able to work in a similar job or for a rival firm within a set time. In which case, negotiations are rare.

My point was, I have the integrity to honour contracts that I have signed. I agreed to 3 months, therefore I have 3 months.

 

I'd take more money for simply doing the same job. However i wouldn't be popular as a nurse (and i couldn't do it morally) if i decided to put half a shift in because i was a bit miffed i was denied a move for whatever reason.

 

And I’m just guessing here.... but you wouldn’t be paid tens of thousands of pounds for that half a shift. It just comes down to morals and integrity.

 

It certainly does in the real world.

 

I think you are right at premier league level and it has certainly killed my love of the game at that level. Lower down the pyramid the balance favours the clubs and they exploit it. The son of a mate of mine is at a L2 club. First team regular and is nowhere near the 40K mark. Last I heard it was 500 a week.

 

Would you employer be able to stop you giving notice and leaving for a better job with more money? If they could would that impact on your motivation?

 

Times have definitely changed but you're right that this is a problem in the premier league / top of the championship rather than lower down the pyramid where I think there is still more of a balance between club and player power. It just seems that in football the bigger reward the game gives you the more you can just crap all over the club who pay you and the fans who support you.

 

Why are footballers unable to work after they retire?

 

I have been denied opportunities because i stand up for the rights of patients and staff and therefore i'm seen as a 'trouble- causer". I have also lost motivation as a consequence, l don't want to come to work and it prays on my mind the day before. However i will never let this impact on the way i go about my business: i give 100% just as i did at the start. I could never let the patients see that i am disillusioned with my job. My colleagues know though, it's good to talk.

 

Yes but it’s not about how you do you job it’s about preventing you taking another one not because of anything you have done or said but because someone ‘owns’ you. Say tomorrow you were offered your dream job that you would probably never be offered again . You have a great reference from your line manager You have agreed t&cs with your new employer. Your current employer without any reason says no. We wouldn’t tolerate this in everyday life. I can see no reason why footballers should. The roc ones now just buy out their contracts when they want to move. I can quite easily see a case going to court around this in the not too distant future.