David Sneyd THERE WAS A point towards the end of this summer transfer window when at least one League of Ireland club felt they were close to signing an experienced operator from England’s Football League.
The Premier Division was never previously on his radar and once those demands were put forward the deal was done. But the words of Cork City boss Tim Clancy, who was speaking not long before the First Division league leaders were eventually able to offer Ruairi Keating a strong enough financial package themselves to make it worthwhile for the striker to push for a move away from St Patrick’s Athletic after a few weeks of talks, piqued the interest of some.
“We aren’t in the position to go and compete with clubs that are paying massive, massive wages which is happening in the Premier Division.” Salaries in the Premier Division are rising rapidly, just as revenue from increased attendances and improved commercial/sponsorship deals also increase. Some are unsure of how sustainable it is because they have been surprised by just how aggressive some clubs were and what they were able to do financially.
“Everyone loves to moan and gossip about what everyone else is doing and throw around figures, it’s embarrassing at times,” one source said. There is a tiered system, with a 19-year-old’s salary starting at €19,760, €17,160 for an 18-year-old, and €14,560 for those 16- and 17-year-olds. Given that the FAI must sign off on budgets for clubs, in line with licensing requirements, there are checks and balances in place to ensure mistakes of the past are not allowed.
Further to this, the new FAI Connect app means there is now a centralised online system for clubs to upload contracts. They submit the details, inform officials in the league’s offices and then await for confirmation that it has been received and accepted. Bohs have certainly been “aggressive” in the market, as have St Pat’s, as was explained earlier, and they also beat the Saints to the signature of Devoy with a deal that ensured the former MK Dons midfielder would be in the highest bracket of earner, along with Tierney who was another who opted to re-join the Gypsies after spells with Motherwell and Walsall.