MOTORMOUTH SLAMS AGENTS

Last updated : 16 February 2007 By Editor

Gary Neville speaking out again, this time slamming the likes of Jason Ferguson. Though quite where our brave union man's voice was before the Glazer takeover is unknown, and he's yet to voice his thoughts on United ticket allocations being favourably diverted into exec trips shepherded by one Neville Neville.

From the Guardian:

Gary Neville took a bold and typically forthright step into the world of football politics last night when he called on players to stop using agents. The Manchester United captain said he was worried about the way millions of pounds were being drained from the game.

Neville believes the Professional Footballers' Association can take over from agents and has floated the possibility that, when he retires from playing, he would like to work for the organisation.

"I'd like to see the removal of agents in the game. There is a concern for me and there always has been: how a guy can go in and ask for [a player's] wage and expect to be given hundreds of thousands of pounds and sometimes millions? In this day and age I can't personally see it.

"That money is going out of the game and the clubs should keep that money; if the player's due it, he should keep that money.

"When we have a union as strong as we have, the PFA could help with the correct education of young players and make those players not so reliant on people who want to take money from you."

Agent Mel Stein hit back:

"It's a free country, with freedom of choice. If a club are willing to pay an agent on behalf of a player, why should they not pay it? There are a lot of good agents in the game who put money back into it.

"I hear what Gary Neville says about the PFA, but they are a trade union, generally ex-professional footballers. If you're buying a house, would you want a bricklayer to do the conveyancing for you?"

ORDER RED ISSUE MAGAZINE HERE. A 10 ISSUE SUBSCRIPTION TO THE BEST FANZINE IN THE COUNTRY FOR LESS THAN £25 FOR UK RESIDENTS