NIALL QUINN SAYS the League of Ireland must change its ways and stop being an easy target for English clubs seeking cheap players.
A number of Irish footballers have been sold to English clubs for small fees, only for their value to skyrocket in a matter of seasons, he said. And their League of Ireland clubs are not being rewarded for their role in the development of the players.
“Why would they pay a million pounds for a Ghanian player or players from other countries when our players don’t command a price we think they deserve.
“Our clubs don’t do that (demand better money) because it’s just been historical. It’s just so easy for the English clubs to come over and say ‘well, Ireland is easy pickings’. I mean, Roy Keane (from Cobh Ramblers to Nottingham Forest) for 10 grand, in my day, I think that kind of sums it up.”
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While chairman at Sunderland he highlights David Meyler and Roy O’Donovan as two examples of Irish players he felt they paid the appropriate amount for.
“We respected it at Sunderland. But you look at some of the Irish players and the progress that they’ve made. And you would have wished that their former clubs had a sell-on clause or something.
“I think that’s the way forward, if they don’t get the transfer fee up front, they get the benefit of any improvement that the player makes, and I expect in time that that’s the way it will end up.”
Richie Towell
One of the League of Ireland’s brightest lights in recent memory, Richie Towell, this week confirmed a move to Championship table-toppers Brighton & Hove Albion.
Quinn believes the former Dundalk man’s experience in Scotland as a teenager, with Celtic and Hibs, will stand to him and he is confident a mature Towell can succeed in the UK second time around.
“”He’s a great advert for the League of Ireland. He went off as a young lad and it didn’t work out. He had to come back and fight tooth and nail as a footballer in the League of Ireland to get back to the UK.
“He goes back a man. He’s no longer that 16-year-old boy, he’s less green behind the ears. He has all that experience now. He’s got that hunger and desire this time round to match what is his undoubted ability.
“I think the way the Championship plays out now he’s got every chance of breaking into that team and making an impact and who knows if it’s a pipe dream or not if he can force himself on to the plane (for the Euros) after a good few months there. You never know.”
'League of Ireland clubs have to stop selling players short' - Quinn
NIALL QUINN SAYS the League of Ireland must change its ways and stop being an easy target for English clubs seeking cheap players.
A number of Irish footballers have been sold to English clubs for small fees, only for their value to skyrocket in a matter of seasons, he said. And their League of Ireland clubs are not being rewarded for their role in the development of the players.
“Why would they pay a million pounds for a Ghanian player or players from other countries when our players don’t command a price we think they deserve.
“Our clubs don’t do that (demand better money) because it’s just been historical. It’s just so easy for the English clubs to come over and say ‘well, Ireland is easy pickings’. I mean, Roy Keane (from Cobh Ramblers to Nottingham Forest) for 10 grand, in my day, I think that kind of sums it up.”
While chairman at Sunderland he highlights David Meyler and Roy O’Donovan as two examples of Irish players he felt they paid the appropriate amount for.
“We respected it at Sunderland. But you look at some of the Irish players and the progress that they’ve made. And you would have wished that their former clubs had a sell-on clause or something.
“I think that’s the way forward, if they don’t get the transfer fee up front, they get the benefit of any improvement that the player makes, and I expect in time that that’s the way it will end up.”
Richie Towell
One of the League of Ireland’s brightest lights in recent memory, Richie Towell, this week confirmed a move to Championship table-toppers Brighton & Hove Albion.
Quinn believes the former Dundalk man’s experience in Scotland as a teenager, with Celtic and Hibs, will stand to him and he is confident a mature Towell can succeed in the UK second time around.
“”He’s a great advert for the League of Ireland. He went off as a young lad and it didn’t work out. He had to come back and fight tooth and nail as a footballer in the League of Ireland to get back to the UK.
“He goes back a man. He’s no longer that 16-year-old boy, he’s less green behind the ears. He has all that experience now. He’s got that hunger and desire this time round to match what is his undoubted ability.
“I think the way the Championship plays out now he’s got every chance of breaking into that team and making an impact and who knows if it’s a pipe dream or not if he can force himself on to the plane (for the Euros) after a good few months there. You never know.”
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Bargain hunt League of Ireland Niall Quinn Richie Towell selling ourselves short transfer fees