MORE MONEY IN ENGLAND’S NON-LEAGUE
MOTHERWELL are being forced to wait on signing targets because the players they want can earn more money in England’s National League.
Stephen Robinson’s side have already snapped up Liam Polworth and Declan Gallagher on pre-contract deals from Inverness and Livingston respectively.
However, Fir Park chief executive Alan Burrows revealed they’ve no option but to play the waiting game with others.
He said: “You would be amazed. Every time we try to sign a player Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and Livingston are in for them.
“We’re all shopping in the same market and all you can do is try to get in early.
“The flip side of that is good players aren’t in a hurry to join the likes of ourselves. They want to see what else is out there, hoping it’s maybe someone bigger who will pay more.
“I didn’t realise that until I became chief executive and started negotiating with agents, who would tell me who else was in for their client and how much they’d been offered to sign.
“Every time our chief scout Martin Foyle goes to a game he sees the same old faces in the stand.
“Nobody is ever going to retire on the money they make playing for the bottom six clubs in the Premiership.
“We’re all much of a muchness so players will hold off in case a team from League One or Two or the National League in England comes in.
“That’s because they have more cash – they’re in a different stratosphere.
“That can be frustrating because we’re ready to go with deals while they’re waiting to see what happens. But at least we can guarantee them Premiership football.”
Meanwhile, Dundee defender Darren O’Dea will become Well’s Under-18s coach after he retires at the end of the season.