John McGrath

[SSS]

For those who don't get the Echo ( or read it in the shop like me):

City have offered McGrath 5k signing on and 500 per week plus 250 for first team appearances.

However, Doncaster have offered 10k signing on and 1k per week.:(

I wonder if we laid on a few beors....;)

[tiktok]

interesting that the echo got that, would that be a fairly standard professional offer from city?

i'm surprised that doncaster can afford that type of money (and remember it's sterling). i reckon theirs is the better deal, but if he's young and really wants to put himself back in the shop window (eurpean football, irish underage a la flynny) then city might be a better move.

[sadloserkid]

Are Doncaster back in the football league this year? :confused:

[niamh]

yup. got promoted. still a lot of money for them though.

[sadloserkid]

Apparently QPR are quite keen too.

[Colm]

Doncaster should open their eyes and see what has happened to a lot of clubs who paid big wages to average players.
I doubt McGrath is worth what Doncaster are offering, I'd be fairly annoyed if we offered him that much anyway.

[sadloserkid]

Maybe Doncaster can afford it Colm. Their average attendance is probably comparable to any eL club and I would imagine that they get more in sponsorship and TV money than our clubs do. It may seem a lot by our standards but he's not a bad player after all and if he helps keep them in the Football League it'll have been money well spent for them.

[@ndy]

Doncaster are quite a big club, their following is larger than eircom league standards. I went to a game there in the early nineties and the stadium was fairly jammers, it's bigger than tolka...

[Colm]

Originally posted by sadloserkid
Maybe Doncaster can afford it Colm. Their average attendance is probably comparable to any eL club and I would imagine that they get more in sponsorship and TV money than our clubs do. It may seem a lot by our standards but he's not a bad player after all and if he helps keep them in the Football League it'll have been money well spent for them.

I was just making the point that a lot of English football league clubs have gone into administration and so on because they were paying big money to average player. However, as you say, they may not see this as big money.
If they can afford it, fair play to them. I'd still have my doubts though!

[sadloserkid]

Originally posted by Colm
I was just making the point that a lot of English football league clubs have gone into administration and so on because they were paying big money to average player. However, as you say, they may not see this as big money.
If they can afford it, fair play to them. I'd still have my doubts though!

Yeah, it's a valid point you're making too Colm. I'm presuming that they can afford it though and would imagine they expect McGrath to be of the players they build their team around should he sign for them.

[pete]

City don't need to beg any players to join. Theres plenty of players coming back from the UK these years to be able to choose the ones that actually want to play for the club.

Most Nationwide clubs seem to use the end of the tv monies as an excuse or smoke screen for the financial problems. The drop in the tv money was never enough to cause any of these financial troubles but meerly made it that bit worse. Clubs don't go into administration cos they lost 2-300k in tv money.

[sadloserkid]

Originally posted by pete
City don't need to beg any players to join. Theres plenty of players coming back from the UK these years to be able to choose the ones that actually want to play for the club.

So if Roy Keane and Jeff Breslan both decided to come home, Breslan wanted to play for the club and Keane didn't thare'd be no difference there? You wouldn't care which one you got? Be reasonable Pete, the best of the players who may come home will almost inevitably have other offers in England and if Cork City (or any other club) can't match those offers then the English offer will look more attractive from a financial point of view.

[tiktok]

from www.eleven-a-side.com

Former Irish underage international John McGrath has been linked with a move back to Ireland with Premier Division side Cork City.

Aston Villa youngster McGrath, who made one Premiership appearance for the Villans against Liverpool three years ago, spent the whole of last season on loan with Nationwide Conference side Dagenham & Redbridge.

The Daggers – many people’s fancies for promotion to the Nationwide League – suffered a tardy start to their league campaign, and after making a stirring recovery in the second half of the season to force their way into the end-of-season play-offs, they went down to Doncaster Rovers in the final.

McGrath was a key part of the East London side throughout the season, playing 26 times, but he is not expected to return to Victoria Road next season, and is currently looking for a club as it becomes increasingly clear that he has no future at Villa Park.

Longford Town were linked with a move for the player earlier in the year, but Cork City have emerged as the home club most likely to secure his services.

However, it would appear that Doncaster manager Dave Penney, impressed by the 23-year-old during the Conference play-off final, has set his sights on bringing him to Belle Vue during the summer, which could scupper any chances of the Leesiders reaching a deal with McGrath.

[Neil]

It said in the Sun today that City were gonna talk to him again during the week....

[thecorner]

Originally posted by Neil
It said in the Sun today that City were gonna talk to him again during the week....

oh the sun
must be true so

[patsh]

I know he will obviously go for more money, so why bother any more with him. Is he that good?
There were well over 500 players released so far this summer, so surely we don't need to get hung up on one guy.

[foureyes]

I reckon he would be an excellent signing. We should push the boat out to get him. Its not as if we are chasing loads of players.
This guy has a better 'pedigree' that O'Flynn and Murray and look at the difference they made.

[thecorner]

was watching tv last week and saw that lee sharp is now playing in iceland with fans of 200 approx. per game
wander would he be interested in coming to ireland

[bert]

Would we want him? I'd have serious doubts about his motivation. Probably turn out to be another Liam O'Brien.

[tiktok]

Originally posted by oddboy
There were well over 500 players released so far this summer, so surely we don't need to get hung up on one guy.

Dolan obviously sees something in him, better to land the one guy that we're after (that the manager thinks can bring something to the team) than five guys released who won't.

[Neil]

Originally posted by tiktok
better to land the one guy that we're after (that the manager thinks can bring something to the team) than five guys released who won't.
I agree. McGrath must be a good enough player to have been on over €2,000 a week at Aston Villa in England.

And it would be better to spend money a fella who'll get us winning things. The crowds that will come then will make up for the extra money spent.

[bert]

Sorry, I should have made it clear I was refering to Lee Sharpe, obviously John McGrath would have been a welcome addition.

[leesider]

where is this guy from?? is he originally from cork or where?

[sadloserkid]

Originally posted by leesider
where is this guy from?? is he originally from cork or where?

He's a Limerick boy (so of course he's good :D) He's from Newcastle West.

[joe]

would it make sense to sign one player on huge wages though? what about the rest of the squad? they'd surely be looking for more money then too

[leesider]

Originally posted by sadloserkid
He's a Limerick boy (so of course he's good :D) He's from Newcastle West.


the question remains.......good at what??? don't worry I won't mention the knives.......oh **** I just did!!!:D

[sadloserkid]

Originally posted by leesider
the question remains.......good at what??? don't worry I won't mention the knives.......oh **** I just did!!!:D

:rolleyes: I shouldn't expect any more from you lot really! :p

Besides he's a country boy so different rules apply! ;)

[liamon]

I wouldn't be put off by what players were earning in English clubs.

Right now, there are a lot of players out there with no contracts.
It should leave City in a strong position when it comes to negotiating financial matters.
I don't see why we should have to pay him more than we pay players like George.
If McGrath is good enough,and we can afford him, sign him up.

As for signing Lee Sharpe: Do we really want the entire city squad hooked on drugs, alcohol and gambling?

[max power]

yeah your right, imagine haveing a drug addict on your books, for instance imagine if maradona signed for cork in his hay day or paul merson. really bad players those two, or tony adams at the back, gazza in midfield and keith gilispe (spelled wrong) on the wing.

your personal life is just that, if you can do it come match day then so be it.

one last thing, paul Mcgrath self confessed alcoholic and one of the best defenders ever to play the english game, or bryan robson or your own Roy keane who is fond of a good session.


football is football and a person is a person, what they do when they are off, once it does not affect them on the pitch is none of your business.

[sadloserkid]

Originally posted by the dj
what they do when they are off, once it does not affect them on the pitch is none of your business.

Unless they're fiddling with kids...

[max power]

i agree from a legal point but from a football point i don't if the longford town squad went out on a night and shot four people dead and blew up a hospital and other things


and on the next night beat shels at home the league i'd be happy.

there job and their personal life is seperate, that is the important point, just because someone does something very wrong in their personal life that does not follow on that it should on their abailty to perform thier professional duties.

gazza wife beater, very bad point, amazing abality, remember that goal against scotland ???? ( don't mention rangers i don't follow all that crap )

But footballers should be allowed a personal life, just like us, i'm in the public eye 5 nights a week and a lot of people know me as a dj but very few know me persoally, i want a personal life. sometimes going out for a drink can be a pain in the arse, you have people coming over to talk to you and ask about djing etc, when all you want is a quiet drink.

i'm no beckham but i know what a little of it is like . i don't know if i could handle the amount of glare in thier life, no wonder they turn to drink or drugs.

[sadloserkid]

I agree with your point 100% BUT (there's always a but) I feel I have a moral obligation not to support things that I have serious problems with. So you might be a great DJ who plays the kinda music I love and I go to listen to you play the newest alt-rock/metal/punk smashes week in, week out. Sorted right? Everybodies happy! But if I was to discover that you smacked your girlfriend about (and I'd like to stress to anybody else reading that this is an example - to the best of my knowledge the dj is model citizen) then I wouldn't go and see you anymore because I wouldn't really want to be putting money into your pocket.

Similarly with football if I know that a player beats his missus or had done time for rape or something that I seriously loathe I would give him dogs abuse if I passed him in the street (let alone if he was playing in a match). I expect a basic standard of human decency from people and I couldn't support anybody who commits any of the pretty heinous crimes I outlined above.

Addiction though is a different kettle of fish, it is an illness and should be treated as such. The likes of Merson deserves sympathy and help as opposed to vitriol and bile.

And I apologise for this being miles and miles off topic but I'll make some attempt to bring it back on by saying that from what I've been able to dig out John McGrath is a decent young guy with no serious 'problems' of any kind! :D

[max power]

it might be off topic, but (as always) it is refreshing to see football supporters able and willing to express there feeelings on emotive issues, not all supporters are beer guzzleing mindless goms ( certain fans who boo players at an international because they have or still do play for rangers).

the art of debate is alive and well and in the minds of some on this board

[max power]

conor your a funny man, do you know what it's like to go out for a few drinks and have people up annoying you every so often, it really is annoying and i'm not being big headed about it. i'r rather just walk in do my work go home aqnd be an ordinary joe soap, but that just ain't gonna happen,

another area is abuse, i take the most disgusting abuse night after night from drunk fools who think its fun. so when someone says a footballer should take was is said to and about them with a pinch of salt it is ok to say it unless you've had such abuse focused on you, it is not nice and you should be able to do your job in peace, espcially whn does who are doing it do not have to ablialty to do it themselves

sorry about the rant.

[Colm]

Originally posted by the dj
conor your a funny man, do you know what it's like to go out for a few drinks and have people up annoying you every so often,

Yes, myself, Conor and quite a few others have a certain indivdual annoying us after most City matches!:D

[liamon]

I think we could just ease back into a football related theme for a moment.

Of course you'd want a young maradona/best/etc in your team.
And lots of great footballers like a few pints. No problem with that.
But for someone like Sharpe, the personal side of his life ruined his career and prevented him from playing the type of football he was capable of.
You don't want players getting dragged into that type of self destruction.

[max power]

and why would that be, would yee be the sort that abuses a player and if he walked off the pitch, handed you his jersey and boots and said you do better, you would **** yourself !!!!!


there guys are ther for a reason and your not . live with it or go for a trial at the club.

sorry for another rant !!!!!


oh yeah colm bring back noels tie to the el general where it belongs !!!!!!!!!

really sorry for yet another rant !!!

[sadloserkid]

Originally posted by the dj
would yee be the sort that abuses a player

Well it's no good me pretending otherwise... as LFC In Exile, Eanna and some others will testify I am the sort that abuses a player (opposition players only). Generally for being dirty though. Or for being Dave Hill which is a feat of dirtiness all of its own! ;)

And yeah, I know what it's like to get stick, anybody who's ever played in a band will say that. You ignore it or you respond to it. I know you can say that the person who slags should try and do it themselves before mouthing off but the other side of that coin is that if you, me and Lee Sharpe can't handle being slagged for our band, djing or footballing skills then there's nobody forcing us to do it either! It's part of it. My attitude would generally be to either deal with it or take up a new past-time. You clearly enjoy djing so I tell you to ignore the ****s who heckle you or whatever. Do you really care what they think? Really? I doubt it so don't worry about it!

[max power]

if you, me and Lee Sharpe can't handle being slagged for our band, djing or footballing skills then there's nobody forcing us to do it either! It's part of it. My attitude would generally be to either deal with it or take up a new past-time. You clearly enjoy djing so I tell you to ignore the ****s who heckle you or whatever. Do you really care what they think? Really? I doubt it so don't worry about it!


all of the above is good, but being a dj is not a past time, its a job and a career, so if i can't do my job in peace i'll end up doing a michael douglas in fallling down .

and if i don't get a burger at half 10 i'll be mad !!!!!

[@ndy]

Originally posted by sadloserkid
if you, me and Lee Sharpe can't handle being slagged for our band

Is Lee Sharpe in your band? He plays the drums...

[tiktok]

Originally posted by liamon
I wouldn't be put off by what players were earning in English clubs.
Right now, there are a lot of players out there with no contracts.
It should leave City in a strong position when it comes to negotiating financial matters.
I don't see why we should have to pay him more than we pay players like George.
If McGrath is good enough,and we can afford him, sign him up.

back to football.

good point liamon. i don't think 500 a week with 250 for appearance is grossly above what other players are kaming at city (the sign bonus maybe). i'd imagine devine (who we paid 15,000 for), flynny, greg and george wouldn't be far off that (maybe even in or around it).

in the long run i think city are on the up as a professional outfit and for me there would still be too much uncertainty regarding the future of the nationwide league club finances. i honestly think a move to city would be as good for him in the long run.

[Slash/ED]

From what I've heard he'd be more then worth it, on another forum a few Doncaster fans agreed he's the best player they've ever seen at their club, now that says something, and he was always a highly rated youngster. To be honest I'm suprised a few first division clubs aren't after him, but it could be a great signing.

[tiktok]

lets hope dolan powers of persuasion can swing it so.;)

[Neil]

It says in the Echo tonite that McGrath is due back in the next couple of days and Dolan will be looking for a decision from him then.

Also says that Pat has been in England talking to possible signings, and "while he has had no immediate joy he is confident of adding extra faces to his squad in the very near future".