Bray’s future in balance

Wanderers players issue notice of intention to strike

BRAY Wanderers’ present and future hangs in the balance as their players yesterday issued notice of their intention to strike.

It comes as a result of the players going 54 days without receiving wages and leaves their proposed match against Cork City on July 27th in jeopardy as the first-team players have confirmed that they will not fulfil the fixtures unless they receive the monies that they are owed.

Having missed numerous self-imposed deadlines, the club were ordered to have settled debts to players by 5pm on Monday.

They failed to do so and as punishment; the FAI have removed the Seagulls from the IRN-BRU Scottish Challenge Cup and the club will also not be able to register any new players for the remainder of the 2018 season.

In announcing their intention to strike, Bray Wanderers’ players released a statement in which they expressed how difficult a decision it was to make but they felt that it was the only option available to them.

“It is now seven weeks (25th May 2018), since we have been paid with no prospect of payment of these arrears or realistic proposals for future wages in sight. We are all players who rely on our weekly wage to pay our bills, mortgages and every day living expenses.

“During the above time frame, players who required operations due to injuries were forced to pay for their own operations, as the club was unable to pay for same. Issues around rehab and physiotherapy for players have also been an issue.

“With no prospect of this appalling situation being resolved, we have balloted to strike and by overwhelming majority, we will be providing seven-day notice to the club on Tuesday.

“Coming to this decision last night was one of the hardest of our professional careers and reached with the heaviest of hearts.

“This is very much a last resort action but we feel we have been left with no choice.”