The legacy of PFA cronyism survives post-Gordon Taylor. Last week it was announced that two of the former chair’s acolytes — deputies Bobby Barnes and John Bramhall — were finally to get off the gravy train, having been on board for more than 55 years combined.
That was widely applauded as part of a much-awaited reshaping under Taylor’s successor, Maheta Molango.
However, it can be revealed that in one of his final acts of largesse, Taylor bumped up the pair’s notice periods to a whopping 12 months. That means both will depart with a full year’s salary.
Former PFA chair Gordon Taylor (L) bumped up the notice period of deputy Bobby Barnes (R)
Sports Agenda understands Molango was dismayed by the development and tried to negotiate, but was left in a weakened position under employment law following Taylor’s move.
No wonder Taylor, who received a staggering final pay cheque of £3.1million, enjoyed such loyalty from his close allies.
The departures were announced on the day the PFA Charity published a heartless ‘policy’ to explain which former players with dementia would be eligible for financial help from the union.
Yorkshire’s sponsorship boost
Yorkshire are expected to agree a multi-year stadium deal with an Asian-based company after the loss of Emerald’s name from Headingley following Azeem Rafiq’s whistle-blowing on racism at the club.
Vertu Motors have already returned as a major sponsor, while Seat Unique — specialists in VIP and hospitality packages at major events — will be one-day shirt sponsors.
Yorkshire are expected to agree a multi-year stadium deal with an Asian-based company
The news came either side of staff being told on Friday that their employment would have ended immediately had chairman Lord Patel’s reforms been rejected by members.
Just the tickets
The ludicrous decision to host an FA Cup semi-final between two teams from the North West at Wembley on a date when there are no direct train services to London from Manchester or Liverpool seems to be reaping dividends.
Manchester City are allowing season-ticket holders and members to buy up to four tickets each.
FA Cup semi-final and Champions League quarter-final tickets are available for Man City fans
Meanwhile, it would appear that the Champions League remains as unpopular as ever with City fans, with tickets for their quarter-final against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday going on general sale. Supporters are again able to snap up four each.
Blackmore faces Vegas payout
Rachael Blackmore returns to Aintree this week — and may be facing a double-or-quits scenario after the big race.
The 32-year-old became the first female jockey to win the Grand National when she partnered Minella Times to victory last year. The night before, Blackmore had made a pact with fellow jockeys Patrick Mullins and Brian Hayes, who is also her boyfriend.
The three riders, who share a house in County Carlow, agreed that if one of them won the National, they would pay for the other two to go to Las Vegas — but Covid and scheduling prevented the two men cashing in.
On Saturday, Blackmore — who also became the first female rider to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month — and Minella Times will defend their National crown, with Mullins and Hayes expected to line up against her.
Another triumph for Blackmore could be very costly indeed!
£5.7m house of Lord’s
Eyebrows were raised among MCC members when they were informed last week that the committee had decided to spend £5.72million on a house directly behind the Harris Garden at Lord’s.
The cash comes from the controversial, queue-jumping Life Membership scheme. ‘The committee considers this addition to the club’s property . . . to be an appropriate use of these designated funds,’ they wrote, with the property to be refurbished and rented out.
One disgruntled member said: ‘Wouldn’t have minded a few quid off my membership instead.’
Scholes opens up
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been keeping himself busy since retiring in 2013.
The 47-year-old teamed up with fellow Class of ’92 members to take over Salford City, has become a searingly blunt pundit on BT Sport and, following a short stint as manager of Oldham, has now opened a gym, less-than-imaginatively called Scholes Gym, in the town.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has opened a gym in Oldham
UEFA chief skips World Cup draw
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin decided not to hang around for the World Cup draw following the FIFA Congress the previous day in Doha.
Some joked that with his homeland Slovenia having not made the finals, the draw held little interest, while others have viewed it as a snub for UEFA’s rivals.
However, Sports Agenda understands the 54-year-old left for a family engagement.
Ceferin, who fancies himself as a centre forward and whose childhood heroes were Yugoslavia’s Zlatko Vujovic and Brazil’s Zico, did play in the media match the night before the draw and scored a hat-trick.
Aintree warning for Sir Alex
He always enjoyed his successes on Merseyside but Sir Alex Ferguson may have to think twice about his celebrations should he be victorious this week.
The former Manchester United manager had what he described as his ‘best ever day in racing’ when three horses he part-owns won at Aintree on day one of the Randox Grand National meeting last year.
Two of last year’s heroes, Clan Des Obeaux and Monmiral, plus the six-year-old chaser Hitman, could provide the 80-year-old with yet more silverware this year.
Sir Alex Ferguson is pictured celebrating Clan Des Obeaux’s victory at Aintree last year
A source explained: ‘Last year Sir Alex punched the air on the podium in the winner’s enclosure. That was all well and good as only owners were allowed into Aintree at the time because of the pandemic. He might find 50,000 Scousers aren’t so pleased now racegoers are allowed back in!’
Joseph was fast and furious
Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph was one of the stars of the West Indies team who left England battered, bruised and demoralised last month. And it was not the first time the paceman had struck fear into the hearts of English tourists.
A team made up of national newspaper journalists called the Fleet Street Exiles still bear the emotional, if not physical, scars of their encounter with Joseph, now 25, on a trip to Antigua in 2013.
One remembers: ‘We arrived for a game against the island’s best teenagers and were warned about a 17-year-old called Alzarri Joseph. He’d just been left out of the West Indies Under 19s, which meant he wasn’t happy and was bowling quicker than he normally did.
‘Needless to say, our players barely saw the ball and were lucky to leave in one piece.’
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