More departures imminent on Leeside
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“CCFC: Contract Commitment From Clubs,” the t-shirts worn by players of Cork City and Shamrock Rovers read. It was a clear statement from the PFAI and its members – clubs should be committed to honouring contracts or they’ll see players moving on.
One such player who moved away from the Leesiders recently was Pat Sullivan. The right back has now signed on with Rovers and found it strange being back in Turner’s Cross playing against the club he spent almost two years with.
“I have another job but haven’t started it yet, that’ll be next week. It’s at my own discretion to start it, but I wanted to get my foot in the door at Rovers and get used to the schedule of training,” Sullivan said on moving back home to Dublin, but also to part-time football where he will only be paid during the season.
Sullivan also revealed that he didn’t want to leave Cork but saw that there was no other option put to pursue his career elsewhere. “It wasn’t really a decision I wanted to make, but what happened forced my hand. When there is another offer there that can sort you out, you have to take it. But the lads all know I didn’t want to leave. I’m at a good club now but it was a tough decision to make and the only one I could take.”
PFAI chief, Stephen McGuinness was in attendance at the game and he spoke exclusively to extratime.ie about the current situation within the club as well as the strong possibility of more players moving away from the club.
“Very little has changed since I spoke to you two weeks ago on the player front. The players have got 40% and last night Joe Gamble was paid his other 20% so at least that’s cleared. I’m hopeful from the 3600 that were at the game that the other 60% will be paid,” said McGuinness.
“We’re waiting to speak to Jim McCarthy of the Quintas group and Tom. He wasn’t here tonight but he did phone me before the game, though I missed his call. We’ll speak in the coming days in relation with the club going forward, whether it be part-time or a 42 contracts for the players.
Kevin Long, who has come into the Cork defence recently, had scouts from both Preston North End and Millwall watching him last night, while other players such as Joe Gamble were being watched by other clubs.
McGuinness said: “I think there’s an opportunity for a couple of the players to go to the UK, there were a number of scouts here watching Kevin Long. Over the next week or so, you’ll expect to see one or two players move out and that will be beneficial to both the club and the players at this time.
Joe Gamble aired his disappointment at the situation last weekend and McGuinness agrees with his sentiment. “I can’t blame Joe. At this point he has to make a decision about his family and his life. He wants to stay full-time but at this moment in time he probably won’t get that here at Cork and will need to move on.”
The t-shirts before the game were a joint venture between the players and the PFAI, while McGuinness also met with Shamrock Rovers players to get their views on the situation.
“I met with the Rovers players for about an hour and three quarters last night and the way the PFAI works is that we are totally transparent. We want everybody in the loop about what we’re doing. It was a message to the league about what all players want and that is: ‘Contract Commitment From Clubs’. It’s a very simple message,” he said.
Adding: “That is all players want, for their contracts to be honoured. We need to drill it home. In all the other sports, jockey’s, rugby players, why don’t they have problems getting paid? Why do soccer players have to go without? It’s not just the recession either. In the height of the Celtic Tiger, I was owed six weeks wages at Rovers and Dundalk. It’s not a new phenomenon but the FAI need to sort it out.”
On another note, it is believed that Dan Connor has also been in contact with other clubs looking for a move. He is expected to join Sullivan, Denis Behan, Colin Healy and Robert Mezeckis on the recent departure list, while Kevin Long is expected to cross the water for a trial with either Preston or Millwall.
One such player who moved away from the Leesiders recently was Pat Sullivan. The right back has now signed on with Rovers and found it strange being back in Turner’s Cross playing against the club he spent almost two years with.
“I have another job but haven’t started it yet, that’ll be next week. It’s at my own discretion to start it, but I wanted to get my foot in the door at Rovers and get used to the schedule of training,” Sullivan said on moving back home to Dublin, but also to part-time football where he will only be paid during the season.
Sullivan also revealed that he didn’t want to leave Cork but saw that there was no other option put to pursue his career elsewhere. “It wasn’t really a decision I wanted to make, but what happened forced my hand. When there is another offer there that can sort you out, you have to take it. But the lads all know I didn’t want to leave. I’m at a good club now but it was a tough decision to make and the only one I could take.”
PFAI chief, Stephen McGuinness was in attendance at the game and he spoke exclusively to extratime.ie about the current situation within the club as well as the strong possibility of more players moving away from the club.
“Very little has changed since I spoke to you two weeks ago on the player front. The players have got 40% and last night Joe Gamble was paid his other 20% so at least that’s cleared. I’m hopeful from the 3600 that were at the game that the other 60% will be paid,” said McGuinness.
“We’re waiting to speak to Jim McCarthy of the Quintas group and Tom. He wasn’t here tonight but he did phone me before the game, though I missed his call. We’ll speak in the coming days in relation with the club going forward, whether it be part-time or a 42 contracts for the players.
Kevin Long, who has come into the Cork defence recently, had scouts from both Preston North End and Millwall watching him last night, while other players such as Joe Gamble were being watched by other clubs.
McGuinness said: “I think there’s an opportunity for a couple of the players to go to the UK, there were a number of scouts here watching Kevin Long. Over the next week or so, you’ll expect to see one or two players move out and that will be beneficial to both the club and the players at this time.
Joe Gamble aired his disappointment at the situation last weekend and McGuinness agrees with his sentiment. “I can’t blame Joe. At this point he has to make a decision about his family and his life. He wants to stay full-time but at this moment in time he probably won’t get that here at Cork and will need to move on.”
The t-shirts before the game were a joint venture between the players and the PFAI, while McGuinness also met with Shamrock Rovers players to get their views on the situation.
“I met with the Rovers players for about an hour and three quarters last night and the way the PFAI works is that we are totally transparent. We want everybody in the loop about what we’re doing. It was a message to the league about what all players want and that is: ‘Contract Commitment From Clubs’. It’s a very simple message,” he said.
Adding: “That is all players want, for their contracts to be honoured. We need to drill it home. In all the other sports, jockey’s, rugby players, why don’t they have problems getting paid? Why do soccer players have to go without? It’s not just the recession either. In the height of the Celtic Tiger, I was owed six weeks wages at Rovers and Dundalk. It’s not a new phenomenon but the FAI need to sort it out.”
On another note, it is believed that Dan Connor has also been in contact with other clubs looking for a move. He is expected to join Sullivan, Denis Behan, Colin Healy and Robert Mezeckis on the recent departure list, while Kevin Long is expected to cross the water for a trial with either Preston or Millwall.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile