Agents kicked into touch
Last updated : 08 July 2004 By Dave Moore
Athletic have officially kicked football agents into touch. The recent Football League Agents Fees Report shows that the Latics have not paid anything to agents although 12 player transactions have taken place this year. Agents have been taking advantage and have made huge sums of money putting cash strapped Football League teams even deeper in debt. Athletic admitted that they have previously paid agents as was the practice in their Premiership days.
Alan Hardy (pictured) commented, “It is not a club policy, but we try to avoid paying agents whenever possible. Each individual case has to be viewed on its merit, but we are reluctant to pay agents. Clubs are taking a much firmer stance against agents by not paying fees. If a player employs an agent we believe it is the player’s responsibility to pay the agent from the player’s earnings. When clubs pay agents, they are simply funding them to get more money for the players.”