Star has $672,000 price tag

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 17

Star has $672,000 price tag

NZPA London Andy Blair, Coventry’s Scotland under 21 star, was yesterday given a $672,000 price tag by the Football League Appeals Conmittee. That is $224,000 more than the champion club Aston Villa had offered for Blair, a

midfield man — and $448,000 less than Coventry’s valuation. Villa must now decide whether or not they can still afford the player — and if hey do sign him they will have to adhere to a unique league stipulation. Villa wants Blair on a

four-year contract and a league spokesman said: “If the deal goes through and then Villa transfer Blair during the four years of his contract, they will have to pay Coventry 50 per cent of any fee they receive in excess of $672,000.’’ Blair’s contract at Coven-

try has just expired, but they are entitled to “compensation” because they have offered him new terms.

Should Villa pull out after the league ruling, Blair has the right to talk to other clubs — and they, too, will have to observe the judgment.