Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Tue Dec 13, 2016 10:52 pm  

Tigerade wrote:

Regarding Andy Clarke's actions. I think there is a good chance of him been struck-off the registered agents list.

I would hope so. And any sports agency he works for.

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 12:13 am  

If Cas get a payout of some description via a court plus their costs covered by Sale/Solomona then it will all be worthwhile. Doesn't need to be a massive payout, particularly if Solomona is made to pay. The important thing is the message it sends out. Right now just putting the case forward tells everyone that Cas (and most likely other SL clubs) won't be pushed around on this. It also tells players that they can't just walk away when something better comes along. If they want to be able to do that then they should sign week to week contracts.

What i find a bit interesting is the attitude of both Sale and the RFU. Whilst I have no doubt they take some satisfaction from trying to walk all over RL whilst they have the financial upper hand, its not hard to envision scenarios where the boot is on the other foot. Quite possibly with NFL teams playing the role of bogeyman.

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 12:17 am  

Clarke is the main target for me. Solomona isn't the brightest guy but he's not doing anything he's not been encouraged to do. He's got himself a very expensive other half who he's going to have to shower with riches to have a chance of keeping, so fair play to him for chasing the coin. It's Clarke, who is making a killing grooming league players with the deliberate intention of moving them to Union that needs to be forced out of the sport. With Phil constantly promoting his players on Sky and him taking this action against the sport, Super League and the RFL need to act properly over this.

I've absolutely no doubt the court actions will either be unsuccessful due to a Union bias or be successful in case but paid at such a ridiculously low rate that Cas will suffer from the whole episode. The sport needs to come together and force Clarke out. Any player still associated with him should be called in and told to remove him and whatever the sport can do to ban him needs to be done. The clubs have a key role here, even if the sport cannot do anything legally, they can still refuse to deal with him at all.

Getting Clarke off Sky is another thing that needs to happen ASAP. Total conflict of interest.

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 7:07 am  

Not that it would make any difference,

But I'll be writing to Sky to explain if Phil Clarke isn't removed as a result of his association with his brothers agency, and the scandalous actions during this, then I'll be cancelling my sky package.

[Jimmythecuckoo]

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 8:42 am  

Great quote from Steve Diamond the Sale coach designed to defuse the situation

I think in all honesty the situation has been blown out of proportion and these things happen in sport

I also see they have taken their "Welcome Denny Solomona" video down as it showed him playing for Cas.

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:21 am  

I'd seen a few people mentioning Phil Clarke and thought "bit harsh calling for his head, he's only his brother". A little digging on t'internet and he's a director of Outside Sport Ltd, with Andrew: https://companycheck.co.uk/company/0628 ... house-data A look on companies house shows the company is owned in it's entirety by the Clarke family, including Andrew & Phil's spouses (I assume). Phil & Andrew have an equal shareholding. It does make any comment on Sky by Phil or any article he's written about any players that are on OS Ltd's books, a little bit more cynical.

I'd seen a few people mentioning Phil Clarke and thought "bit harsh calling for his head, he's only his brother". A little digging on t'internet and he's a director of Outside Sport Ltd, with Andrew: https://companycheck.co.uk/company/0628 ... house-data A look on companies house shows the company is owned in it's entirety by the Clarke family, including Andrew & Phil's spouses (I assume). Phil & Andrew have an equal shareholding. It does make any comment on Sky by Phil or any article he's written about any players that are on OS Ltd's books, a little bit more cynical.

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:23 am  

Dettoriman wrote:

Not that it would make any difference,

But I'll be writing to Sky to explain if Phil Clarke isn't removed as a result of his association with his brothers agency, and the scandalous actions during this, then I'll be cancelling my sky package.

Clarke should be removed from Sky's Super league coverage until this sorry saga is resolved at the very least. Clear conflict of interest.

What the guy says from now on will be treated with mistrust. I am guessing he won't exactly get a warm welcome from fans at most clubs next season.....or at the old Lions players tour meet ups either.

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:26 am  

Just a shame that this had to happen to Cas - we have very, very limited resources as it is but it feels like we're fighting a battle on behalf of the sport. Whatever happens in the courts sets a precedent for every single club in SL - if Sale/Denny/his agent get away with this, then RU will be poaching our players left right and centre, more than they already are.

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:32 am  

BD wrote:

Just a shame that this had to happen to Cas - we have very, very limited resources as it is but it feels like we're fighting a battle on behalf of the sport. Whatever happens in the courts sets a precedent for every single club in SL - if Sale/Denny/his agent get away with this, then RU will be poaching our players left right and centre, more than they already are.

I'm not sure as to the legalities of this, but I wonder if SL clubs have the ability to add a condition into all future player contracts that stipulates the player cannot move to another sport whilst they're still under contract? Basically meaning a player can't "retire" then pop up in union a week later.

Re: Denny Solomona speculation & implications : Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:39 am  

Saddened! wrote:

The sport needs to come together and force Clarke out. Any player still associated with him should be called in and told to remove him and whatever the sport can do to ban him needs to be done. The clubs have a key role here, even if the sport cannot do anything legally, they can still refuse to deal with him at all.

It's quite simple regarding players agents. If the RFL have the collective will of the clubs - Clarke will be struck off as an agent and his registration revoked.