A VICTORY FOR PLAYER POWER!
JOSH STAUNTON has hailed the united player voices that has led to the Football Association revisiting the controversial changes to next season’s Non-League Player Contracts.
Yeovil Town skipper Staunton rallied the 24 National League captains following the news of planned alterations to next season’s standard form contract.
The FA and other stakeholders had been in consultation about updating the existing contracts to comply with UK employment law.
While it addressed areas like holiday and paternity pay, players were unhappy about potential tweaks that included clubs, unless they agree to players ticking an opt-in box on their contract, having the ability to reduce wages of injured players to Statutory Sick Pay after 12 weeks for Step 1 players and six for Step 2 and below.
Other issues centered around a club being able to cancel a contract with three months’ notice if the opinion of a club-instructed doctor was the player wouldn’t return in four months.
An open letter signed by all 24 captains last month called for urgent talks with the authorities and an amicable agreement has been struck.
Proud
In a Q&A, the FA’s director of professional game relations Andy Ambler says the default position on sick pay will now be a player receives full pay of their contract, subject to an alternative arrangements, and the “references to club-instructed medical professionals will be replaced with references to independent medical examinations”.
Staunton thanked Ambler and The FA for listening.
“I am really proud of everyone involved – the group has been a testament to their clubs,” Staunton told The NLP. “And to the players they represent. Sometimes it’s not easy being a captain and that figure at a football club. But I am really proud.
“The situation we found ourselves in is a very curious one to be in as a professional athlete with very little representation. But I am proud of how we stuck together to fight for something we believe in and, ultimately, get the outcome we hoped for.
Learning curve
“I’ve been in constant conversation with Andy at The FA and I have really enjoyed speaking to him not only about this but other things.
“Unfortunately the way this season has prevailed, I won’t be a Step 1 captain next season but you’re fighting for something bigger than yourself. I definitely think there are areas for greater representation within the game for players at this level and the professionalism we try to perform at. We are going to continue discussions with The FA and PFA.
“I’d like to go on record and thank Andy at The FA and James King at The PFA – the legal team at the PFA have been exceptional and at my beck and call when I’ve needed them. Together we’ve made progress. Without those people listening to us and helping us, our voices would have been useless.
“I’d also like to thank the captains. They may have been surprised when I first gave them a message but it’s good to make connections with a group of people and understand everyone’s point of view.
“It’s been a real learning curve and one I am proud to have come out as a group the other side successfully.”