Agents

[Gullscorer]

I heard/read that Eunan's agent was involved in his contract with Torquay last year.

But do agents have too much influence? Are most players, especially the younger ones, better off without them in developing their careers? Or do agents provide a useful service these days?

Do clubs give in to their demands too easily? Should clubs do more to be able to match agents' negotiating skills?

Whatever some may feel about the source, I think there are valid points expressed here:
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[AustrianAndyGull]

IMO players who need an agent have nothing upstairs. If i were a footballer and a club came in for me i would know exactly how much money i required and exactly what terms i would prefer in order for me to sign. If the club didn't meet my requirements then i say no. Pretty simple really. Why would i need an agent to decide on my behalf how much i should be earning? Quite unbelievable really how simple footballers have actually become that they can no longer think for themselves. Footballers should start taking some responsibility for their own lives and not let their careers be dictated by greedy parasites who exploit dopey footballers who haven't got two brain cells to rub together.

[gullintwoplaces]

Bobby's agent seems to have looked after him quite well in moving upwards, as has Mark Ellis's if he ends up at Crewe (a club that has a track record of developing young players (at our expense, sadly, on this occasion). On the other hand, Eunan's agent appears to have helped him get an offer from Crawley.

[happytorq]

Players need agents. Footballers are generally not booksmart so understanding things like contracts, bonuses and the like would be tricky. Sure, some agents can be slimy moneygrabbing bar stewards, but is that any different to, I dunno, lawyers? It's their job to get the best deal for their client.

I'd also guess that it's not exactly to a relaxed professional football career if you're having to do your own negotiation.

[cambgull]

To be fair, if you've just had a hard slog of a football season and need a break (they can't take a week off whenever they want like the rest of us, remember) and then a club you want to move to comes along, do you really want to spend your time off sitting and reading through a contract? Of course you don't, so get someone else to do it for you!

[AustrianAndyGull]

Sorry lads but i don't agree. Just another excuse to get someone else to do things for you.

[happytorq]

Sorry lads but i don't agree. Just another excuse to get someone else to do things for you.

Fair enough.

I guess this means that you do all your own wiring, plumbing, and cooking....you do all of your own car repairs, keep all of your money under the mattress, never stay in hotels, refuse to go to restaurants, painted your house - inside and out - on your own, *and* homeschool your kids. (if you have any)

Every service industry ever is "another excuse to get someone else to do things for you". You first decide whether you have the expertise, and the work out if the going rate is worth it. Same with agents.

[AustrianAndyGull]

No but if i applied for a job then i wouldn't pay somebody to pour over the t's and c's of my contract and maybe negotiate more salary. If i WAS going to do that then obviously i'd do it myself.

[Kernowgull]

Youve never used a recruitment agent? I have. I dont think it makes me lazy, its just that they are paid to know whats going on in my market, im not. Football agents are paid to know whats going on in football, footballers aren't

[Dave]

Instead of moaning about football agents, get a license and become an agent, hard work, lots of traveling, but the pay isn't bad

[Trojan 67]

Back in the day, before mobile phones, internet and television, there was the wireless (radio). Back then, the only agent of note was Special Agent Captain R*chard Barton . . . aka D*ck.




From the era of television, not wireless (radio), the unforgetable theme tune from R*chard (D*ck) Barton - Special Agent . . .

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[Glostergull]

Back in the day, before mobile phones, internet and television, there was the wireless (radio). Back then, the only agent of note was Special Agent Captain R*chard Barton . . . aka D*ck.

yeah but back then men walked in front of cars with red flags. A little Birdie told me you held the towel for Mathew Webb after he swam the Channel. You remember that don't you Trojan

[Dutchgull]

Wooden horse......

[MidDevon]

Most players in the top couple of divisions are now set up as companies, or at least have companies attached to their name. Their agents often facilitate that, and whilst not too popular to those at clubs negotiating contacts, on the whole do a good job as far as players are concerned.

In my opinion top footballers will one day be exposed for the very limited amount of taxes they pay out of their £100,000 a week salaries. It really is a scandle. Just one example is that their "company" will hold the rights to their image and will therefore play less tax when that is paid for than a man working in a fcatory would pay.

Unfortunately top footballers are "sexy" ....top bankers or indeed leaders of 100 FTSE industries less so, so whilst it is OK for the likes of John Terry to be paid silly sums of money and pay proportionally less tax than a CEO of a large company it is the later who gets the stick despite directly creating growth in the economy and jobs.....

[cambgull]

I thought most clubs pay big players tax?