Most football sides operate on the basis of an owner's deep pockets, and I'm sure Weymouth are no exception but I was appalled by their players strike upon receiving no wages this year. Most will be holding down jobs outside and will have been previously picking up £200-£300 per week for playing a sport they love. As an ex-sportsman who used to train 6 days a week, 50 weeks a year for no pay, I can only condemn their mercenary attitude which has echos of the CAFC women's side who cried foul and slated the club when funds dried up, with not a thought about the bunce they'd been given in previous years, far in excess of their commercial worth.
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They had to play their youth team on Saturday, ended up losing 9-0.
Apparently some fans put substantial bets on them losing (bookies didn't seem to know about the situation) and pledged the winnings to the club to help them out.
The club's insurance was almost certainly not up to date so any injury, when they are looking for a move elsewhere, would have left them with no cover and destroyed any chance of a move to another club.
They hadn't been paid for a long time (14 weeks) which means they can move as free agents so hardly a sudden decision.
At that level they may or may not have other jobs but the money from the football would be a significant part of their income in any case. Who knows how safe those other jobs are when redundancies are being made all over.
Best thing is the Weymouth fans knew and lumped on Rushden and Diamonds to win but of course the bookies are moaning about that. Cost them upto £1m.
Ian Ridly?
Up to £1m? Isn't that more than enough to pay off Weymouth's debts?
It's funny to see these teams that seem to throw money at getting up to the conference and above. Weymouth did it, as did Fisher a few years ago, Boston United did it, Thurrock did it, and Grays are struggling.
Weymouth are/were pro/fulltime so I don't think there is any basis for your argument.
The players and staff at Weymouth are victims of another sudo rich bloke thinking you can chase league football with little over a million. Spent stupid amounts of money to ensure they won the conference south, allegdly paid Claridge more than he earnt at Millwall whilst he was player manager etc etc. Surprise surprise the crowds only go up by 200-300, the team struggle and show no sign of getting into the league = silly boy chairman pulls the plug.
Be surprised if they finish the season to be honest. If word gets out that they have no insurance etc then not even youth team players are going to turn out for them.
Non-league football is going to see increasing cases like this, in recent years Hornchurch and Telford have gone the same way as have Boston and Halifax Town. There is a huge difference between conference north/south and conference national. Running costs will sky rocket and many promoted teams will find that the step up isn't sustainable. Lewes for example are seriously regretting the money that they spent on the dripping pan to ensure their promotion. They will go straight back down and be left with a huge debt and 300-400 diehards.
In all probability AFC Wimbledon will be the last team to successfully make the jump for a while.
A simple question...would you continue to do a job that could potentially affect your career, livelihood and earnings if something went wrong because your employers had not adequately insured you?
Sad story - likely to be the end of them
Bookies do not have to take any bet, they do not have to make a price, they don't even legally have to pay out. They just use things like this as advertising.
Same with betting on thinkgs like the BAFTAS, Brits and the next Dr Who etc. Of course people are going to know the results of things like those before they become public. Anyone who lays a bet on such things are mugs.
http://www.theterras.co.uk/website/text%20terras.htm
(prior to you all falling on me for having splitners on my arse from the bandwagon)