Sour Mash

Don't worry, I completely understand the point. You're wrong, I agree that players probably don't even need to think about the 'safety net'. But what you and others seem to be saying is that if the FCR didn't exist, it is something players would begin to consider and use it to inform their decision where to move? I agree, I understand the logic. But my point is that it would only really effect the decision making process in a small percentage of transfers. How many of the 92 football league clubs go bust each year? How many top flight teams ever go into admin (we all know the obvious)? Lets say the FCR hadn't existed in the last 2 years - how many transfers in those two years would the lack of the FCR make any difference to the deal done or wages agreed? Skates and a few others obviously, can't think of too many other cases. Players, agents, clubs are in the main greedy and look at the short-term, here and now offer of big wages rather than "might be's" a year or two down the line.

Interesting analysis. Don't think it's something that can be proven either way, just our personal take on it. I can see how it might have influenced a few situations, but don't believe it would have had a significant effect on the overall market place in English football.

Question; Has the trend in footballer wages in England changed significantly since the introduction of the FCR?

I've been happy to criticise Cortese in the past if I think he's done something wrong, but this definitely isn't one of those times. There is anything to comment on, so let him get on with running things behind the scenes. What I don't get is why we seem to have a big media/marketing team, without masses of quality output or is that standard at other clubs?

Which of my posts were a wind up? Which threads have I 'ruined'? Plenty of other normal posters were able to debate the points raised, if you find them too confusing to understand just ignore them.

If only we could all contribute great insights to the thread like your pearls of original wisdom......

Shame he's not articulate enough to explain why.

Lineker's smugness grates at times, Dixon and Shearer dull, I'm a fan of Hansen, but he drifts through. Still much better than ITV, although that isn't saying much.

Not saying there aren't any cases where it would have made a difference, but how many realistically throughout football in the last few years, to the point where it would affect overall wages/transfer fees paid out across the industry? Doubt it crosses too many minds when players are signing up for 200k a week at Man City etc. Just a guess regardless.

And your actual point is..............?

Was meant to say 5% not "55"!

How many signings do you think hinge on the fact that the player knows he'll get paid because of the FCR? Transfers that wouldn't go through otherwise? I'd guess at 5% of all transfers as an absolute maximum.

Got to be some sort of wind up surely?

Because, rightly or wrongly, the football authorities first and foremost responsibility is to protect their industry and it's various members, the football authorities don't exist to protect charities, the taxman, local business unfortunately and it's a bit unrealistic to expect them to not have their own members as their primary concern as any industry body would, they wouldn't be doing their job otherwise. Morally? Morally every penny should be paid back to those owed it, but the laws of this land don't agree with that - is that football's fault? If football lost 20 football league clubs as a result of enforcing every penny of debt was paid back, is that a good thing? If I'm honest, I'm not sure.

OK, I get the logic, but for how many footballers/clubs is that really a genuine concern/worry? How many footballers over the last 10 years say have signed a contract with any real thought about whether they'll be paid? Might have made a difference with the Skates in the last few years, but for 90% I doubt it crosses their mind.

It's not about what I think is "right". The law that allows companies to write off costs full stop then go out and do it all over again is the real problem in my eyes, not an industry trying to protect it's other companies and employees.

Well the judge didn't agree with them (yet again), so why don't you ask him if you're so confused?

I'd probably agree with that. Would you still have a points deduction in place? Or only for a failure in that CVA? I guess the football authorities' fear would be they'd be likely to end up losing too many clubs by doing that, even taking into consideration a few getting kicked out would make the others take notice, there is still too much temptation to over stretch and gamble.

Right, get the logic behind transfer fees now, can see how it may have made a bit of difference with a few transfers, put the big deals, between the big clubs, that really drive the market, not sure how much they'd be affected. Who knows, bit off the subject though. For all those that are so anti the Football Creditors role, what do you suggest the football authorities do instead?

How? Not saying you're wrong, just don't follow the logic on that one.

Exactly. Although I'm sure you'll now be accused of "trolling" but the regular sheep on here.

If an industry regulator chooses to put in place rules to ensure payment of their skilled employees and other companies within their industry, then that is perfectly understandable. My problem is with this country’s Insolvency laws which are the one’s that let companies write off tons of debt to local firms, charities etc and then crack on and do it all over again. Not sure how much influence the Football Creditors rule has really had on wages and transfer fee levels.

That's still pretty good value I'd say.

So you can't answer a simple question. Fair enough.

And how many still 'love the HMRC'?