MATCH FACTS


MATCH OFFICIALS


Referee: K G Evans Assistant Referee (yellow): K J Mattocks Assistant Referee (plain): D P Meeson Fourth Official: M Heywood


ELSEWHERE IN THE LEAGUE


Aldershot v Watford Barnsley v Rochdale Bradford v Nottm Forest Brentford v Cheltenham Carlisle v Huddersfield Chesterfield v Middlesbrough Crewe v Derby


Doncaster v Accrington Stanley Exeter v Ipswich Hereford v Colchester Leeds United v Lincoln City Leicester v Macclesfield MK Dons v Dag & Red Morecambe v Coventry Northampton v Brighton Norwich v Gillingham Oxford Utd v Bristol Rovers Peterborough v Rotherham Plymouth v Notts County QPR v Port Vale Scunthorpe v Oldham Sheff Wed v Bury Shrewsbury v Charlton Southampton v Bournemouth Southend v Bristol City Stockport v Preston Swansea v Barnet Swindon v Leyton Orient Walsall v Tranmere Wycombe v Millwall Yeovil v Crystal Palace


NEXT


Town v Aldershot Town npower League 2


Saturday 21st August 2010 Kick-off 3.00pm | Greenhous Meadow


22


THE LAST WORD


There was once a time when a handshake between two gentlemen constituted a so-called gentleman’s agreement, a verbal, non contractual decision made to honour an agreement between two that needed nothing further to be done.


Now it would seem even signed contracts put down on paper are not worth the ink used to sign them. The ludicrous situation between Arsenal and Barcelona brings into question the very relevance of long- term contracts between clubs and player if the latter decides – despite having signed a long-term deal – that he no longer wants to play for that particular club. Despite his signing a six year contract at the Emirates, Cesc Fabregas decides he no longer wants to play for Arsenal but wants to return to his first club, Barcelona, who in turn have made at least three cash offers for the players services that Arsenal have rejected, stating that they have no intention of selling their captain to anyone. Barcelona have countered by saying the latest offer made for the player is the most they are willing to play, Arsenal citing the offer as derisory and stating that nothing less than a doubling of that offer would be acceptable even if the player was for sale, which he is not! So, what is to be done since Fabregas is determined to leave, Arsenal are determined to keep him. The Londoners have shown the Spaniard the faith in his ability, and loyalty in his continued consistency by having him sign a six year deal – which it may be added he need not have signed had he been unhappy in any respect, but he did – so shouldn’t they expect some sort of loyalty in return? The crux of the matter is of course doubtless the fact that Arsenal have, for several seasons now, under achieved and won nothing in respect of silverware, whilst Barcelona won six trophies in the 08/09 campaign and further silverware last term too making them a very attractive proposition. A situation doubtless exacerbated by friends and fellow players egging him on to make the move sooner rather than later. Whilst I am normally in favour of getting rid of any player who is unhappy with his lot at any football club I find myself torn on this occasion since not only does the player want away, he has also decided which club he wants to play for, somewhat of a very dangerous precedent being set should the move be sanctioned. What will be the outcome for football in general if players can tear up a contract at their own discretion and move to a club of their own choosing whenever the whim takes them?


I believe that Arsenal should stick to their guns – excuse the pun – and refuse to let the player move until such time as a the buying club pays what the selling club demand in the form of a transfer fee, even if it means taking some form of action to have a player banned from playing for any club until such time the relevant fee for his services is recognised and paid up in full. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the whole issue of player contracts and return to the days when players were signed for a season by season deal, in that way all parties know where they stand with regard to the length of time they may have to endure the people who always imagine the grass to be greener on the other side of the fence.


Kevin Davies wrexham & shropshire | direct trains to london | www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk


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