Here is a link to the questions thread.
Yes, it's back! The answers to the questions posed some weeks back follow for your perusal. Try and spot the guest UCD players asking their own captain questions, by the way!! :D I gave Tony people's internet names and clubs to put some reference on to everything, so that's the way it's come back and that's the way I've copied it below.
Enjoy!
Monzo
How’s it going Tony. What's been the highlight of your career so far on the playing front?
Howaya Monzo. There have been a few highs I suppose. My full league debut will always be special for me. Any Myler made his debut the same day down in Strokestown Road against Longford in the first division. At the time it was a barren pitch with the current ticket stand being the dressing rooms in those days. We won 2-1 with Andy bagging the winner from my cross. I guess since then being selected for the U-21 squad on a couple of occasions was a real honour. I was the only home based player selected at that time so it made it all the more special. Most recently, being shortlisted for the player of the year award last season was an honour I honestly never expected but greatly appreciated.
Who is the toughest midfield opponent you've faced?
In midfield I would say the pairing of Kevin Hunt with Stephen Caffrey in Bohs championship winning side a few years back was as tough as I’ve played against. Both were well able to control the pace of the game and make penetrating runs from deep. Playing centre back I would have to say Liam Coyle. The man could conjure a goal from nothing and regularly broke UCD hearts with last minute wonder goals.
A face
What is your opinion on the 65% wage cap that clubs will have to contend with from here on in for our league?
I believe it is the clear responsibility on clubs to accurately build a sound financial plan. Clubs cannot continue to agree contracts based on hopes of how the season will unfold. All too often reality bites and it is the player who is potentially left without an income because the club realises it cannot afford to honour the contract. Our league cannot move forward with situations like these reoccurring. However I would consider the best way to do this is to sanction the club (perhaps through a ban on transfer dealings etc) rather than a wage cap. If the sanctions are administered effectively it will serve as a deterrent to clubs to repeat the offence and we’ll end up with the same outcome – sound financial planning.
With a lot of clubs moving towards full-time status, this obviously has noticeable difference on players and changes the game to a degree. What in your opinion are the biggest obstacles facing players and the PFAI during this transition?
For the players the challenge is to ensure they look at the bigger picture. A footballer’s career is a short one and in this country in particular players need to ensure that the contract they sign makes financial sense in the long term. They also need to consider what they will do when their careers end, given that they will likely enter an occupation and find themselves playing catch up. The PFAI has launched a number of initiatives to help better prepare today’s full time players for life beyond playing.
The PFAI’s biggest challenge is to ensure the workplace for footballers is like any other. The league now has more full time players than at any other time and is becoming an ever growing industry. Like all other industries, some employers will pay more than others, but every employee should be entitled to decent working conditions, paid holiday leave etc. This is a basic requirement of a full time employee and, to be fair, there are enormous strides being made on a number of fronts to ensure this is the case.
What do think of players’ advisors/agents?
I think there is a role for them in the game as long as they have the players’ interests at heart. There are many in the game who come from a highly regulated profession (solicitors etc) and who perform their role in relative anonymity. It’s the countless others who come into the game to make a quick buck off of a big money move that destroy the reputations of agents. I would also question the role of agents where there is a clear conflict on interest. Tighter regulations are the key. The PFAI are happy to represent any players in contract negotiations.
What do think of the Irish players’ advisors/agents?
No different to the opinion above. Some players are not skilled in negotiating their own contracts so I do believe there is a role for them but with the above caveats.
Sniffer
During the recent wage crisis at Shelbourne, we heard very little from the PFAI. Did you have any involvement in the situation?
Yes the PFAI were actively involved (i.e. on a daily basis) and are still closely monitoring the situation.
Roverstillidie
As a follow on from Sniffer’s question, should we read anything into the fact the PFAI were very vocal during Rovers’ difficulties last year? Why the different approach?
I don’t think so Roverstillidie. The Rovers situation was different in that the cash flow issue was only part of the problem. Players were being treated very poorly and in some cases were being completely mistreated. On top of this, the club had reneged on a number of agreements over a six month period. I think that’s why there was more noise at the time.
Sligoman
Do you think the FAI taking control of the league will be a good thing for Irish football?
Yes, I honestly do. We need to move away from a situation whereby there is a disconnect between all levels of football in this country and this move can only strengthen that position. Furthermore, the league seems to bounce from one controversy to another which really affects the public perception of the product. This year is no different with the title race looking like it will be decided in the courts rather than on the pitch. The league has to accept responsibility for that and I would hope that next year sees a move away from that type of controversy and sees some clear rules with decisive implementation of same. Hopefully the change will bring much needed stability to the league.
What do you think of the standard of refereeing in this league?
Loaded question!! I’ve been on the end of a few shockers in my time so I’m not going to tell you that they are all wonderful. My biggest criticism is the inconsistency that we see from one game to the next. I firmly believe that experience has a lot to do with that. Retirement age for referees is quite young in my opinion (in line with UEFA regulations) and I do think that some have been forced to hang up their boots too soon. I would also question the allocation process – Alan Kelly is regarded as the best in the game yet I don’t remember having him referee too many UCD games either this season or last. Coincidence? That said, the standard is improving and referees today are much more fitness orientated in order to cope with the quicker pace of the game. There are a number of referees whom you always look out for and hope that they are selected for your games but I won’t embarrass them by naming them. I will say that the vast majority of referees appreciate the passion involved and allow for a bit of heated banter to a contested decision. This all too often amounts to a yellow/red card across the water so it’s a credit to our refs that they engage with players rather than adapting the principal/pupil approach.
Pineapple Stu
How come you never went across to England?
Because I only ever got one serious offer and even that was not enough to convince me that they were treating it seriously.
What offers (if any) did you get from cross channel?
I was approached by a scout from Bolton when I was in the U-21’s with an offer to go pro. The terms were weak and I was completing my finals for a degree at the time. It was a tough decision but I decided that I would be better off making a go of it in the league here while at the same time starting out with a career outside of football. To be honest, it’s a decision I’ve not once regretted.
Do you really get paid that much in banking that it's not worth turning pro?
Yes. ;-)
Pete
Is it true that the PFAI requested that all players contracts are paid after tax (i.e. If player earns €1000 per week the club pays the PAYE on top if this)? Do you think this contributes to the recent tax problems at clubs?
Not sure where you’re coming from with that one Pete. Any employer has a responsibility to pay tax on behalf of its employee at the appropriate rate depending on the salary. Clubs are not exempt from this requirement. If you’re referring to whether the PFAI requested clubs to pay the players tax responsibility also, then no that’s not true. All that the PFAI have ever requested is that clubs provide players with a pay slip, clearly showing the deducted tax amount and any other adjustments. All players should be requesting and receiving P60s annually. Maybe this has contributed to tax problems at clubs but is it really such a bad thing that the onus is now on all clubs to have their financial affairs in order? After all, this is supposedly a requirement for a UEFA license that all clubs need to have in order to participate in our domestic league……
