Legal action to hold soccer star

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33775, 22 February 1975, Page 48

Legal action to hold soccer star

J Alan Marley, the former New Zealand and Christchurch I nited striker. has been threatened with legal action for a breach oi contract unless he returns to his Australian soccer club, St George- ' Souths, of Brisbane.

Marlev has been in Auckland for most of this month and has been reported to be joining the Rothmans National League title-holder, Mount Wellington. He has also talked to the Christchurch United manager, Terry Conley, about returning to his former club. When Marley moved to Australia two years ago he joined Brisbane City on a free transfer, subject to his registration returning to Christchurch United should he leave. Similar arrangements were made through the Austialian and Queensland federations when he transferred to St George-Souths at the start of the 1974 season. However, the St George-

Souths president. Mr G Mlona.-.. has told Christchurch United that his club will hold Marley to his contract f r thI full term of three years $3OOO FEE I In his letter to United, Mr Mylonas says: -My clubs attitude to this player is fairly I clear-cut. I am aware that the player has a conditional ■transfer from your club in that should he return to New [Zealand he remains your [club’s player free of any financial encumbrance of any i sort. “Nevertheless, this plater ]signed a three-year contract !with my club for the 1974 to ■ 1976 seasons and received a I signing-on fee of $3OOO. j "In addition, the Queensland Soccer Federation placed a transfer fee of $4OOO on that player when he transferred from the Brisbane City [club to mine. The contract also provides amongst other matters for guaranteed employment at a minimum wage of $95 gross a week. HELD TO CONTRACT “My club’s attitude to this player, and indeed to all of !our term-contract players, has [been settled for some time. We will hold the player to his contract tor the full term, i “I believe that Mr Mar- | ley’s clearance from Christchurch would allow him to be cleared to play for Christchurch, probably without a clearance from the Australian Soccer Federation. "However, should such be the case, we propose taking legal action against Mr Marley for damages for breach of contract — approximately $6OOO — and an injunction to prevent him playing until the damages are paid.” AIMED AT PLAYER

Mr Mylonas says that the damages are not aimed at obtaining a transfer fee from any club for Marley, but is aimed purely at the player. [ “My club has no alternaItive but to proceed with such [action as the whole system |o f priwite contracts in BrisIbane would be in jeopardy if our club meekly surrendered to the whims of anv player who, after negotiating a contract, wishes to break it unilaterally." NO DISCUSSION

Mr F. J. H. Haydon, chairman of Christchurch United, said last evening that the club’s board of directors had not yet miet to consider the letter. He would not comment on the letter at this stage. "Naturally, we will look into the matter very closely. It is important to recognise that on his return to NewZealand Alan Marley’s clearance reverts to Christchurch United and so we must be very interested in any out* come,” Mr Haydon added.