Sympathy For Grays

[ronin]

There`s not many things were i would side with Grays but this is one case where i would

 

Following a hearing between Grays Athletic and The Football Association today regarding the outstanding payment to jailed footballer, Ashley Sestanovich, The F.A. have given Grays Athletic 14 days (19/03/08) to pay approximately £14,000 plus £500 fine and hearing costs or they will be suspended from all football.

 

Grays Athletic have strongly contested the payments to Mr Sestanovich following his involvement in the robbery and death of Thomas Fahey of Fahey Roofing in the summer of 2006, Mr Sestanovich was found guilty of conspiracy to rob and sentenced to 8 years in prison.

 

Grays Athletic have been involved in a counter claim against Mr Sestanovich and were instructed that this would be successful; however, The FA have not been sympathetic to the case even though The Football Conference were fully behind Grays Athletics‘ decision to terminate Mr Sestanovich‘s contract with the club once the gravity of the offence was know to them

 

http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/

[LOS]

Utter madness. I always assumed that contracts had to be fulfilled by both parties, if not - the contract was in breach. If the jailed player can't honor his part of the contract due to his being detained - then common sense would conclude he's in breach and contract is quite rightly eligable for termination.

 

The law really is an ass. I think this sets a really dangerous preceedent for anyone on a contract doin' a bit of bird. (All society, not just football players)

 

But because its Grays Ath, I can sympathise with the outcome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ribbit]

That's outrageous. Every time a player is sacked (not that it happens often) there is an outcry from someone, as if to say footballers are above being sacked - like their only way to leave a club is to be sold. I wish Grays well and hope the idiotic FA don't make them pay.

[YELLOW]

Utter madness. Crime really does pay!!!

[ronin]

Just heard Mick Woodward being interviewed by BBC Essex and he is adamant that they will not pay this money to Sestanovich

 

I can see this story making the headlines and would like to hear the P.F.A.`s views on this.

[Exile]

It would appear the FA insist Grays pay Sestanovich for the five months he spent on remand (i.e. before being found guilty). I imagine most employers would cancel the contract of somebody accused of such a serious offence - I bet the FA would do exactly the same for any of their employees. I agree Grays should make a big fuss about it - contact the BBC for starters.

[The Great Eckscape]

Sestanovich deserves nothing, I hope this is reconsidered because that decision is a joke.

[ronin]

http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/

 

I am bitterly disappointed in The FA's judgment today; all they seem to want to do is take money from football clubs.

 

We are being forced to pay approx £14k to a player who only had 3 training sessions and 20 minutes in a pre-season friendly due to his involvement in a heinous crime which saw a young father shot in cold blood, unfortunately my principals will not allow me to pay this money from either my own pocket or from the clubs and the directors are of the same opinion, I feel sorry for the supporters of this club but I hope that you will back me on this decision.

 

The club currently has a counter claim going through the County Courts and an offer was made to The FA that they hold the money owed until such time that the case is bought to conclusion; however, they refused to even consider this and demanded that the money is paid directly to Mr Sestanovich.

 

If there is any person, player or team that may have benefited from Grays Athletic maybe they would be willing to offer to pay this money on behalf of the club, then they can do this anonymously or make contact with the club.

 

If any person has any opinions on this matter then please let the club know.

 

Mike Woodward

[Ribbit]

If I were Grays, I wouldn't want anyone paying out the money. I wouldn't want the FA to think they've got what they wanted.

[The Great Eckscape]

I think football clubs as a whole need to stand up against this, not just Grays.

[Bitch]

The problem is that Mr Woodward would willingly have gone to prison rather than pay. The FA have him over a barrel by saying that Grays will be suspended from all football unless payment is made within 14 days.

 

You can imagine the effect that could have. Slimey FA gits

[Exile]

I see the story has made it onto the BBC website BBC story although it is noticeably absent from the FA website. Searching that site shows Sestanovich won an FA Cup player of the round award in the same season as Jeff Minton did for us...

[LOS]

This made an 1/4 of page in todays' sun. The 2 highlights i took were (1) thought it was a nice gesture that Woodward offered to pay the money to the victims family, (2) Ian Wright-Wright-Wright thinks the FA have got it totally wrong, and is concerned about message this sends out.

I really hope Grays appeal and succeed, but somehow i think the FA cannot ever get things wrong (cue Sheffield Utd fans)......and then they get relegated (Grays, not Shef Utd !!!!!)

[Eastside Urchin]

i hope woodward sticks to his guns and football rallies around him,i hate grays but this is just another example of everything that is wrong with this country,stefanovich and his w@nker mates killed someone but their human rights are still intact whereas the bloke who has dies has none!

[sudburyroyal]

Is anyone doing an online petition to the FA?

[ronin]

MYoegacFvEE

[Greg_Dyke]

Originally Posted By: The Great Eckscape

I think football clubs as a whole need to stand up against this, not just Grays.

I agree

[LOS]

That YouTube clip is fantastic.........i hope its cascaded thru ALL the leagues, and as much publicity is gained from this as possible. In fact, the more you think about the more outrageous their decision.

 

Its appears that the Grays fans are quite rightly backing their chariman, but its all well and good posting it in a forum - they need some kind of campaign. Im sure the whole of football fanbase will be sympathetic. I'd make a big banner if i thought clips from our Sudbury game tomorrow would be shown on MOTD tomorrow night.

 

Grays forum thread

 

 

[ronin]

There is also a thread on their forum saying they should pay the money! They have 10 days to back their club and put pressure on the F.A. and some of them want to give up already

[YELLOW]

Panic I suppose. Alot would just pay the money and get on with it.

 

Never thought I would say this, but I admire Woodward for making this stand.