PFAI Watch

[Charlie Darwin]

"This year the highest earner in the League of Ireland is on €40,000 per year"

This bit is Bullsh1t, and Lazy journalism
Yeah, everyone knows Fahey is on 20k a week.

[Dodge]

Well the agency won't know every wage for a start. Not every player is signed up with them

[Mr A]

Some strange comments from PFAI recently- saying Wexford should not have been allowed in the premier. Absolutely bizarre stuff.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/first-six-figure-transfer-fee-within-weeks-5c7b3vx0p?shareToken=ba5164df575e20ddd4c3da011dcd1 bca

Link via twitter just in case: https://twitter.com/YeSecondPost/status/806536258088538112


“But even if there is change, we still want stability. It’s better that clubs pay what they can afford rather than make promises they cannot keep. And yet, the whole structure of how football is run in this country needs to be looked at. Wexford Youths, and teams like that, should not be allowed into the Premier Division. A minimum amount of professionals should be required, and a minimum spend should be in place, before a club is granted entry to the country’s highest league. There should be a minimum standard for teams to aspire to, before they get into the Premier Division. It is ridiculous that there is not a minimum wage for players in place.

[Philosophizer]

Bonkers stuff. The difference between professionals and part timers in our league is difficult to gauge at the best of times. Wexford had a few lads on pro contracts but id say many of the amateur lads were doing just as much training.

[Philosophizer]

While it would be nice to have some rules in place like a minimum wage for PD players and a minimum amount of professionals per club etc, i don't think it would really work in our league - at least not at the moment because wages for professionals aren't high enough to warrant a guy with a good job or big career ambitions to quit his job.

Even the club with the biggest budget last season couldn't offer McMillan enough money to give up his architecture job completely. he still does at least 20 hrs a week.

If we reach a stage where each team can afford to have at least 5/6 professionals (only way i could see this happening is if prize money for every position in the league is dramatically increased) it would be a good idea but i don't see that happening soon.

[oldyouth]

Gob****e makes it sound as if there is slave labour at Wexford Youths. We set our stall out as an amateur club and we pay minimal expenses. Over the last decade this has worked extremely well for the club AND the players who have pulled on our shirt.

I'd say we have the highest turnover of player in LOI and that is NOT because there is anything wrong with the club, it is because we welcome any player, who thinks he is good enough, and provide an opportunity to showcase his talents. We get a season or two from the raw talent and they get a chance at a contact with a big club if they're good enough. Personally, I don't think the club will progress on this basis, but we are providing a window that most other clubs don't to fringe players.

What's the solution? Perhaps kick us out and make it a licencing requirement to have every club put "Storrry Buud" on it's crest

[pineapple stu]

Still on with the amateur but expenses line?

PFAI comment is daft. The players earn what they're worth - way more than it, in some cases.

[Charlie Darwin]

What's the solution? Perhaps kick us out and make it a licencing requirement to have every club put "Storrry Buud" on it's crest

I'd say that's what they're angling for alright.

[GC13]

So will this include Cabinteely too as they are an amateur club? In all fairness to Wexford their policy has made them sustainable and progressive to a certain extent which should be commended, a number of very good players have come through the club and moved on, the downside of the policy. Look at the players who left over the last few weeks, it should be the club and players choice, they pay their fees to play (money for nothing) and fulfil their fixtures with facilities better than a lot of other clubs!

[Dodge]

Should professionals who can't beat amateurs really be looking for more money?

[dong]

Even the club with the biggest budget last season couldn't offer McMillan enough money to give up his architecture job completely. he still does at least 20 hrs a week.

If we reach a stage where each team can afford to have at least 5/6 professionals (only way i could see this happening is if prize money for every position in the league is dramatically increased) it would be a good idea but i don't see that happening soon.

Regarding McMillan I'd say it's more likely that he was thinking beyond his career as a footballer by continuing with the part time architecture.
Employers won't touch you if you have lost touch through not practicing

[wonder88]

How can anyone take this McGuinness PFAI guy seriously after that comment about amateur Wexford Youths. I also remember him making a comment on soccer republic last year, re that Dublin GAA players were on billboards all over the city, and why league of Ireland players didn't get the same offer from advertisers. Is it possible that there are people( on 85k salary) who don't understand why Dub All-Ireland stars be more attractive to market a product?

[Philosophizer]

How can anyone take this McGuinness PFAI guy seriously after that comment about amateur Wexford Youths. I also remember him making a comment on soccer republic last year, re that Dublin GAA players were on billboards all over the city, and why league of Ireland players didn't get the same offer from advertisers. Is it possible that there are people( on 85k salary) who don't understand why Dub All-Ireland stars be more attractive to market a product?
I remember that show. I'm fairly sure his point was that with proper marketing and progression of the league we hope to see LOI players on billboards in the future.

[nigel-harps1954]

Aren't the comments by Dan Murray in this case and not McGuinness?