I recently finished reading a book written by Gary Imlach, the sports writer and journalist, called “My Father and other Working Class Football Heroes”. The book is a biography of his father, Stuart, who played football for a number of clubs in the 50’s and also represented Scotland in the 1958 World Cup.
In detailing his father’s career and ultimately the fight to have his and other players recognised with international caps (at the time the Scottish FA only awarded caps to players who played against England) it struck me how far player power has come.
In Stuart Imlach’s career he played for a number of clubs, starting as a part-time apprentice in Scotland with Lossiemouth. The book highlights how the clubs had total control over their players at this time and transfer deals between clubs were often done without the player himself even knowing let alone being consulted.
Imlach moved clubs on several occasions, playing for Bury, Derby, Nottingham Forrest, Luton, Coventry and Crystal Palace. He was never consulted on any move. At the time Imlach, and every footballers, contract was only for 12 months. The clubs operated a “Retain and Transfer” policy. At the end of a season clubs could release a player, put them up for sale or retain them. This was often on reduced wages if the club had had a difficult year. Any player who refused to agree terms would be paid no wages. They would not be paid and sacked or not paid but still retained. Whilst on the transfer list the club would not be obliged to pay them. If a player walked out they could not play elsewhere as the club held his registration. With little option, most players gave in.
This stance gave the clubs total authority and control over their players. Contrast that to today. There probably isn’t a professional club in any league in world football today who has not had a player force through a transfer to another club. Today football is widely seen as a business first and a sport second. A multi-million pound business at that. Unfortunately for clubs the accountants will not generally accept an “asset” leaving for nothing. Better to take a fee. The threat to run down a contract and leave for nothing is now a pervasive element of modern football.
Clubs, and managers in particular understand that keeping an unhappy player has the potential to adversely influence the playing squad. They are usually in an untenable position. They could potentially force the player to stay, as they hold his registration, and train with the youth team for the remainder of his contract. However Chairmen and owners don’t tend to like paying out high wages for no return.
From a managers point of view, they are judged on results and performance. The income from the sale of said unhappy player could be re-invested in the playing squad and the resulting improvements could be the difference between staying in post and getting sacked.
Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy has told Luka Modric he is going nowhere. Would I like to see Levy stick to his guns and force Modric to stay? Yes! Do I expect Modric to still be playing for Spurs by the end of the season? No! I would love to see Modric see out the remaining 5 and a half years, of a contract he only signed six months ago, training with the Spurs u12s. The fact is it won’t happen. Spurs will end up having to cash in. Better to spend the £30+ million they would likely receive for him on players who want to play than keeping a world class (in Spurs’ opinion not mine) who will not be giving 100%.
Really interesting blog, thanks!
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