Motherwell statement on Cardiff City

Last updated : 17 August 2010 By Iron-Bru.net
Further to an initial statement issued on Thursday 22nd July, Motherwell Football Club have today issued the following press release relating to the transfer of Paul Quinn to Cardiff City FC.
Cardiff City owe Motherwell Football Club £175,000 plus interest and costs for the transfer of Paul Quinn which took place in June 2009, almost 14 months ago.
Fully understanding their difficulties, the Board of Motherwell FC have pursued this claim firmly but courteously.
Having failed to receive a proper business like response, the Club eventually had no option but to pursue the matter in Hamilton Sheriff Court. The petition was considered on Friday yet Cardiff did not even turn up or submit a defence to our petition.

"Cardiff City owe Motherwell Football Club £175,000 plus interest and costs for the transfer of Paul Quinn which took place in June 2009, almost 14 months ago.

"Fully understanding their difficulties, the Board of Motherwell FC have pursued this claim firmly but courteously. Having failed to receive a proper business like response, the Club eventually had no option but to pursue the matter in Hamilton Sheriff Court. The petition was considered on Friday yet Cardiff did not even turn up or submit a defence to our petition.

"It is critical that clubs work constructively with each other to ensure we can manage a very difficult financial climate for the game. We have given Cardiff every chance to do the right thing.

"The board now believe that Cardiff's position is untenable given their activity in the transfer market acquiring Jason Koumas, Tom Heaton, Danny Drinkwater, Seyi Olofinjana, Martin John and today, the loan signing of Manchester City's Craig Bellamy.

"Given all these circumstances and with legal and moral weight behind us, Motherwell FC have no option but to immediately pursue all legal routes to ensure this significant sum is paid to us as quickly as possible.

"These may include issuing a winding up order, arresting assets or physically sending bailiffs to their ground on match day to take possession of cash. Every option will be fully considered and implemented as soon as possible.

"We want Cardiff fans to know that we appreciate the concerns this will give them. We can only urge them to look to how they would feel in our position and urge them to put pressure on their own Board to ensure the excellent long-term reputation of their club is not diminished by the leadership of one board.

"We have a job to promote and protect the interests of our own employees, fans and shareholders and we will. We would also suggest to the Championship and the English FA that they look with great care at the conduct of Cardiff in handling this matter.

"Even at this very late stage, I would urge Gethin Jenkins of Cardiff to pay this money plus costs and interest by return in order to save his club acute embarrassment and the football community in general unwarranted bad publicity".