Hodges' Contract

[evadne]

I read in the local paper that Eddie was trying to get Hodgy to sign a contract as this would determine whether any League clubs after him were "being serious".

 

I would not lightly gainsay our beloved manager but this is well wide of the mark.

 

Whilst having Ian on contract would be a massive benefit to STFC, it would be of no use at all to a player in demand.

 

A league club will have a certain pot of money. They will rate a player's worth and decide that they will not spend more than this on the player. If he is under contract, they will have to take into account any compensation sought by the club holding his registration. If that is pitched too high, they will be priced out of the deal. Why did Sol Campbell let his contract with Spurs expire? So that he could get the best deal from his next employer - without Arsenal (or whoever) having to fork out £10-£20m before he gets a penny.

 

Even if we did hold him on contract, if a league club came in for him but said that they couldn't afford a transfer fee, would we stand in his way? We'd definitely ask for a sell on clause as part of the transfer - and perhaps a pre-season friendly with the club concerned - but at our level we have little financial clout.

 

That's why there's always a 50% (at least) turnover on playing staff from one season to the next.

 

Good luck to Ian. He has been great. But I don't think he will be signing a contract with us for next year unless all his trials come to nothing and, regrettably for us fortunately for Ian, I can't see that happening.