Tekel Towers » 20% Wage cut

29/10/2020 10:31 am

Tek wrote:
Lilley01 wrote:
The key thing for me is how will they collectively respond to this. Are there strong leaders in the dressing room that can keep morale high and ensure frustrations and demoralisation doesn't pour over on to the pitch?
This is the key aspect for me. We need to close ranks now and show a togetherness. Mickey Mellon should also be using this as a motivational tool.

There has been utter glee shown in the press and from supporters of other clubs surrounding this news. Time for a 'siege mentality' and for us ourselves to show real delight and passion as a group everytime we register another win that will help us stay in this league. A 'two fingers' up to everyone outside our club, if you will.

The players need to now focus on their jobs and be philosophical in the short term. Yes, i have sympathy for them that they may only be earning 80% of what Utd agreed to pay them but there needs to be an understanding of where we are in the World.

People are losing their jobs in every industry. Or being relocated or having their hours drastically cut. These are hard times for everyone.

And 80% of their wages (to play football in empty stadiums) is still a good gig and (frankly) is still more money per week than most, if not all, on this Forum will earn.

Fwiw i think there will be an understanding and humility shown in this regard. I hope so, anyway.

Asghar made a lot of the type of personalities we were looking for, particularly that January window when Reynolds, Butcher etc were signed. Hopefully this is where these guys step up and show the sort of mentality Tek mentions.

AlwaysUnited · 29/10/2020 11:07 am

A great shame, although no great surprise.

Will be interesting to see how many supporters rally round and help out. I won't be - I have two kids and I earn about a third of what the players do, I'm not prepared to put extra money in to supplement their wages. Others will though, and that is their right and choice.

Am I right in thinking is a player refuses, its not the case that they automatically walk? United could just keep them on the higher salary (although this would probably cause divisions).

If I was Oggy I'd be entertaining offers for Siegrist. Deniz is a more than capable first choice and we have the Sunderland lad as back up.

Morphman · 29/10/2020 11:46 am

AlwaysUnited wrote:
Will be interesting to see how many supporters rally round and help out. I won't be - I have two kids and I earn about a third of what the players do, I'm not prepared to put extra money in to supplement their wages. Others will though, and that is their right and choice.

I doubt anyone will be suggesting supplementing players wages, more supporting the club in some way to insure we at least have enough to stave off admin. Wouldn't say it's entirely one in the same.

29/10/2020 11:58 am

How much do our players earn?
Taking, say, Liam Smith as your average first team player I would guess about £2k/week?
Lopping £400/wk off that for a spell should still see Liam in Sainsbury's rather than Iceland?

Lilley01 · 29/10/2020 12:13 pm

Interesting that it's Scott Burns in the Record using terms like the players 'baulked' at the suggestion. How does he know, any unhappy player > agent > press?

It would be completely counter productive for us to get our selves in a situation where we could let players of potential walk away for nothing because they won't accept a wage deferral/cut. There didn't seem to be too much of a hangover morale-wise at Hibs or Aberdeen, bigger clubs than us. So there should be a model followed which might allow us to rescue this predicament sensibly.

P.S LOL at Dundee's accountant 'not meaning to be doom and gloom' without a balanced word to say.

Morphman · 29/10/2020 12:23 pm

smedDUm wrote:
How much do our players earn?
Taking, say, Liam Smith as your average first team player I would guess about £2k/week?
Lopping £400/wk off that for a spell should still see Liam in Sainsbury's rather than Iceland?

Jon Daly was on 2k a week as our highest earner in 2010 during our most profitable spell. I'd reckon Shankland would be on around that as our highest earner currently. With Reynolds (captain and signed from Aberdeen) probably the only other player coming close.

Liam Smith, probably closer to 700 PW. I'd be surprised if the baseline of out squad was even near a grand a week.

EDIT: Rangers offered Daly around 7k pw before bonuses to play in the lower leagues. It was rather well documented at the time.

Last edited by Morphman (29/10/2020 12:26 pm)

PatReilly · 29/10/2020 12:27 pm

I don't agree the club should have been making a statement alerting others that we were struggling financially. Every club is, plus fans would have been angry that our players/the club may have been more open to derisory transfer offers.

I also don't favour pointing the finger at anyone looking for a target to blame. We don't know the chain of events that have led to the situation in great detail, but most if not all are Covid related.

Aye, it's frustrating, but causing divisions as some fans (if they are United fans) are prone to do helps nobody.

The only areas I'm puzzled about are the wage amounts some people are banding around, and the suggestion that some recent signings have their salaries protected. How do members of the public or press know how much we are paying certain individuals?

bowers · 29/10/2020 12:40 pm

smedDUm wrote:
You lot were screaming for signings, now you're saying it was financial impropriety.
Make your minds up.

You really are a pap.

Lancashire-Arab · 29/10/2020 1:05 pm

I suspect a lot of players with the unions will look at deferring pay rather than accepting the 20% cut. From my experience they can't force anyone to accept less money it has to be voluntary.

I only gave up salary for a 3 month period when I couldn't go anywhere or do anything and still felt the pinch so no doubt some of the players will be in the same boat.

Morphman · 29/10/2020 2:12 pm

PatReilly wrote:
I don't agree the club should have been making a statement alerting others that we were struggling financially. Every club is, plus fans would have been angry that our players/the club may have been more open to derisory transfer offers.

I also don't favour pointing the finger at anyone looking for a target to blame. We don't know the chain of events that have led to the situation in great detail, but most if not all are Covid related.

Aye, it's frustrating, but causing divisions as some fans (if they are United fans) are prone to do helps nobody.

The only areas I'm puzzled about are the wage amounts some people are banding around, and the suggestion that some recent signings have their salaries protected. How do members of the public or press know how much we are paying certain individuals?

I don't know if you mean my previous post Pat but Daly's last contract offer from UTD prior to Rangers move was widely talked about by the West Coast MSM, who probably got the info from Rangers. The OF always do their best to have a cosy relationship with the tabloids. There was also some common knowledge back then that Uniteds wage structure didn't allow any higher.

As for Smith, I know a few boys who played lower league football who told me before of the wages on offer at the like of Morton, Ayr etc albeit a few years back. I was putting in an educated guess that he would've got a fairly decent, if not totally astronomical, increase when he moved over from Ayr. I'm certainly not claiming inside info, just that there is no fucking danger he's getting paid 2k a week as was previously said, I would be surprised if even Shankland is on that much.

Last edited by Morphman (29/10/2020 2:13 pm)

UniDundee · 29/10/2020 2:41 pm

Lilley01 wrote:
Interesting that it's Scott Burns in the Record using terms like the players 'baulked' at the suggestion. How does he know, any unhappy player > agent > press?

It would be completely counter productive for us to get our selves in a situation where we could let players of potential walk away for nothing because they won't accept a wage deferral/cut. There didn't seem to be too much of a hangover morale-wise at Hibs or Aberdeen, bigger clubs than us. So there should be a model followed which might allow us to rescue this predicament sensibly.

P.S LOL at Dundee's accountant 'not meaning to be doom and gloom' without a balanced word to say.

Lilley01, please private message me.

PatReilly · 29/10/2020 2:43 pm

Morphman wrote:

I don't know if you mean my previous post Pat but Daly's last contract offer from UTD prior to Rangers move was widely talked about by the West Coast MSM, who probably got the info from Rangers. The OF always do their best to have a cosy relationship with the tabloids. There was also some common knowledge back then that Uniteds wage structure didn't allow any higher.

As for Smith, I know a few boys who played lower league football who told me before of the wages on offer at the like of Morton, Ayr etc albeit a few years back. I was putting in an educated guess that he would've got a fairly decent, if not totally astronomical, increase when he moved over from Ayr. I'm certainly not claiming inside info, just that there is no fucking danger he's getting paid 2k a week as was previously said, I would be surprised if even Shankland is on that much.

Thanks for that, Morphman. I was referring to the 'fans' and media who have a detailed financial insight to United's rates of pay for the likes of Edwards, McNulty and Fuchs. I've got a general idea of what players may be paid, but unlike some don't use it as a base for a wider discussion of how we are dealing with the present Covid situation.

Throughout my now ended working life, I can't recall anyone revealing their actual wages to me, or it being common knowledge how much individuals were paid, and find it odd that some reporters and supporters expect us to believe the figures they type to back up their points.

Shakey Isles Arab · 30/10/2020 12:45 am

Tek wrote:
Lilley01 wrote:
The key thing for me is how will they collectively respond to this. Are there strong leaders in the dressing room that can keep morale high and ensure frustrations and demoralisation doesn't pour over on to the pitch?
This is the key aspect for me. We need to close ranks now and show a togetherness. Mickey Mellon should also be using this as a motivational tool.

There has been utter glee shown in the press and from supporters of other clubs surrounding this news. Time for a 'siege mentality' and for us ourselves to show real delight and passion as a group everytime we register another win that will help us stay in this league. A 'two fingers' up to everyone outside our club, if you will.

The players need to now focus on their jobs and be philosophical in the short term. Yes, i have sympathy for them that they may only be earning 80% of what Utd agreed to pay them but there needs to be an understanding of where we are in the World.

People are losing their jobs in every industry. Or being relocated or having their hours drastically cut. These are hard times for everyone.

And 80% of their wages (to play football in empty stadiums) is still a good gig and (frankly) is still more money per week than most, if not all, on this Forum will earn.

Fwiw i think there will be an understanding and humility shown in this regard. I hope so, anyway.

This this this.

I know we're on a discussion board here.
But the rest's a' mince really.

- - - - - - - - - - -

This and how we can improve financial side going forward. Appealing to Govt Mr O, with respect go whistle. It's going to get worse before it gets better.

For me I was one crying out for desparately needed signings. Wrongly. Hindsight is 20/20

I din't agree with some signings, loans and contract extensions and their timing but it's a bollocks of a situation I can see why Club was reticent in concluding deals. I suspect Mr O would have known this was coming and known he would be able to bankrole McNulty signing -just, Micky hinted at this when saying thanks to Mr O for getting it over the line.

Yes we should have been told and changes made earlier but how do we know Mr O's situation, maybe he felt he could leave these drastic changes till this late juncture.

Can he even appreciate our feeling of ownership and tangerine bloodedness - suspect not.

What is the young O's place in all this - thought he was shuttling to and fro reporting back ?

We can chase our tails discussing this right enough, me included.

but, once again, it's a' mince.

Bottom line - what Tek & Lilley said above - get behind the club.

Last edited by Shakey Isles Arab (30/10/2020 9:46 am)

Arabnophobia · 31/10/2020 1:02 am

What's happening isn't surprising. Could have done this earlier but didn't and strengthend the squad.

Hard to comment without knowing all the facts and full situation.

I'm glad we brought in McNulty and Fuchs.

Other clubs will soon follow the same publically.

Shitstorm ahead without government help.

I don't blame Ogren or fault him for much I'm aware of but I don't know enough facts.

We're no the media darlings we once were and the knives are out for us in a sneaky way.

japanarab · 31/10/2020 3:29 am

Morphman wrote:
smedDUm wrote:
How much do our players earn?
Taking, say, Liam Smith as your average first team player I would guess about £2k/week?
Lopping £400/wk off that for a spell should still see Liam in Sainsbury's rather than Iceland?

Jon Daly was on 2k a week as our highest earner in 2010 during our most profitable spell. I'd reckon Shankland would be on around that as our highest earner currently. With Reynolds (captain and signed from Aberdeen) probably the only other player coming close.

Liam Smith, probably closer to 700 PW. I'd be surprised if the baseline of out squad was even near a grand a week.

EDIT: Rangers offered Daly around 7k pw before bonuses to play in the lower leagues. It was rather well documented at the time.

Liam Smith until recently was living next door to my mum and dad who are by no means even close to being rich. So he was living in a house the same level as two working class pensioners—just a level of perspective regarding his salary.