Wages dispute moves closer to solution

A satisfactory resolution to Athlone Town"s ongoing wage dispute with players from last season"s squad finally looks like being reached over the next few days. That"s according to Stephen McGuinness, the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFAI) General Secretary, who in recent weeks has been at the forefront of negotiations between his members and officials from Athlone Town FC. Athlone Town currently owe players and management from last season in excess of €20,000, and those owed monies have already rejected a couple of proposals from the club in the past week or so. The latest offer from the club - to pay 50 per cent of monies owed before the end of the month and the remainder in monthly instalments until June - was rejected earlier in the week by the players" union. However, speaking to the "Westmeath Independent" on Tuesday afternoon, Stephen McGuinness spoke confidently about finding a resolution before the weekend. Indeed, McGuinness said a resolution MUST be found before this coming Sunday, as the FAI"s Licensing Committee are due to meet at that point. If Athlone fail to resolve the issue by that date, they run a serious risk of being rejected in their application for a League of Ireland playing licence for the 2009 season. It"s understood that several of last season"s playing squad were prepared to accept either of the club"s previous offers, but that a handful of players are also holding out for the immediate payment of 100 per cent of monies owed. It"s believed, however, that a resolution somewhere in the middle will be reached before the weekend, with Stephen McGuinness saying the players are prepared to accept a 65 per cent payment before the end of February, with two further instalments in March and April concluding the issue. Athlone, of course, recently launched a patrons" scheme aimed at eradicating debts of over €300,000 (including player wages), but cannot tap into this money until the scheme is up and running. Stephen McGuinness praised the club"s patrons" scheme initiative and also said the club has added a few new directors in recent times that should be able to bring the club forward. However, McGuinness also said that these positive steps cannot erase the damage done last season. McGuinness, a former St Pat"s and Dundalk defender, said: 'To be fair, the players have gone eight months without pay at this stage. I don"t know what people are saying about the players, but you have to look at the fact they never failed to turn up for training or to play matches while this mess was going on towards the end of last season. 'Athlone Town FC have made two official offers to the players but both have been rejected at this stage. The latest offer came after a meeting between the PFAI, the FAI and Athlone Town FC officials at Abbotstown last Friday. This is probably the biggest dispute I"ve had to face in my time with the PFAI, not because of the figure involved, but because the players have not been kept informed by the club. The players feel disrespected and totally disregarded by the club, and that"s made negotiations even more difficult than usual. I would hope a satisfactory conclusion can be reached in the coming days. I feel the players have been more than reasonable up to this point and are not trying to put the club out of business ... that"s the last thing they want. We are trying to thrash out a satisfactory agreement,' McGuinness added. Club official John Croughan attended the meeting last Friday with Tom Fitzgerald and was awaiting feedback from the PFAI at time of print. Mr Croughan said the club is dealing with the matter in open and honest fashion and holds its hands up to the wrongs of last season. 'We have to find an amicable way out of this mess for all parties,' Mr Croughan said. 'But we can"t enter into an agreement that we can"t reach. However, I believe a resolution will be found, hopefully in the very near future. I understand it"s a frustrating issue for many people but that"s all I can say on the matter at present,' Croughan added.