Union fears return of 'cash culture'

SOCCER:PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS' Association of Ireland general secretary Stephen McGuinness has warned the scale of the financial difficulties being encountered by clubs is threatening a return of the "cash culture" that reigned in the game here for many decades.

“I’m not saying it’s rampant,” he said, “I’m just saying it’s possible it will come back and we have to be vigilant. The players have to be aware going down that road would be a return to the dark ages after all that has been achieved in terms of player contracts and payments over the last few years.”

Speaking at the launch of the association’s Ford-sponsored annual awards, McGuinness said he is “concerned” about the conduct of “three or four” clubs but fears others might be tempted to engage in similar practices as they seek to obtain a competitive advantage over rivals at a time that revenues continue to decline.

The potential return of widespread under-the-counter payments is one of a number of difficulties facing the PFAI with a vote by clubs earlier this week to return to a winter season potentially marking the start of a process that will have a major impact on its members. The clubs remains divided on the issue and the FAI may be reluctant to act on the basis of the vote that came down in favour of change by 12 to nine. McGuinness insisted the matter has not even been raised at recent meetings between the PFAI and representatives of the FAI.

Building on the success of last year’s training camp for out-of-contract players, meanwhile, the organisation is to send a team to a five nation tournament in Norway in January for players in search of new clubs. Around 90 per cent of League of Ireland players will be out of contract when the season here finishes and the tournament, which will also involve teams made up of players in a similar position from Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden, will offer some the opportunity to attract interest from abroad.

FAI Cup finalists Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers dominate the PFAI’s team of the year, meanwhile, with the two clubs taking seven of the 11 places compared to just one for league leaders Bohemians. “Yeah, I’m a bit surprised alright,” said Gary Twigg yesterday. “There’s a few more (Bohemians) players I would have probably had in there. Ken Oman is a quality defender and then one I’m very surprised is not in there is Paul Keegan.”

PFAI AWARD NOMINATIONS

Player of the Year: P Amond (Sligo Rovers), A Mannus (Shamrock Rovers), R Ryan (Sligo Rovers), B Shelley (Bohemians), G Twigg (Shamrock Rovers), S Williams (Sporting Fingal). Young Player of the Year: J Kelly (Bray Wanderers), P Madden (Bohemians), S Williams (Sporting Fingal). First Division Player of the Year: Graham Cummins (Waterford Utd), P Hughes (Monaghan Utd), P McEleney (Derry City). Irish Overseas Player of the Year: S Coleman (Everton) K Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers), K Fahey (Birmingham City). Referee: P Caschera, N Doyle, A Kelly. Premier Division Team of the Year: A Mannus (Shamrock Rovers), B Shelley (Bohemians), C Kenna (St Patrick’s Ath), G Peers (Sligo Rovers), E Stevens (Shamrock Rovers), J Chambers (Shamrock Rovers), J Ndo (Sligo Rovers), R Ryan (Sligo Rovers), S Williams (Sporting Fingal), G Twigg (Shamrock Rovers), P Amond (Sligo Rovers). First Division Team of the Year: G Doherty (Derry City), A Carey (Waterford Utd), B Gartland (Monaghan Utd), K Murray (Waterford Utd), P Purcell (Limerick), D Cassidy (Shelbourne), S Duggan (Cork City), J McClean (Derry City), P McEleney (Derry City), G Cummins (Cork City), P Hughes (Monaghan Utd).