FFC_GJS Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 This was posted on One F. Not sure where it's from but no real surprises there. FALKIRK manager Steven Pressley yesterday told seven first-team players they will not be offered new contracts. The Bairns boss survived fan criticism to win a new 12-month deal but has done so against the backdrop of severe financial cutbacks as the club prepares for a second season in the First Division. With Dunfermline sealing the title at the weekend to kill Bairns' lingering dreams of bouncing back up to the SPL, Pressley moved quickly to inform his out-of-contract players of their futures. Captain Burton O'Brien, strikers Pedro Moutinho and Carl Finnigan, defenders Brian McLean, Chris Mitchell and Mehdi Khalis and keeper Robert Olejnik have all been told they will not be retained. Pressley is struggling with budget constraints and has dumped the majority of high earners left over from the club's time in the SPL. He said: "I've spoken to quite a number of the out-of-contract players because it's important they know where their futures lie. "We are not in a position to offer these players contracts and they'll certainly move on. A number of them will move on because of the financial restraints but other decisions have got to be made as well. "In some cases it is because it's the right time to part company and get a fresh start. "There are some younger players who have been spoken to as well. "It's the worst part of the job. We are exceptionally close as a group, I have a very good relationship with all my players and it's not easy when you have to tell them they are being let go." One player who has been offered fresh terms is striker Mark Stewart, who had a new deal tabled weeks ago. Stewart is the top scorer in the First Division and it remains to be seen whether there will be interest in the 22-year-old in the summer. But by offering a new contract, which is understood to have already been factored into the new budget, the Westfield club have protected their right to compensation if he does move on. No surprises really with those who have been told they can leave. I'd have liked to have kept McLean and Olejnik but if we can't afford it then fair enough. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris. Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'd have kept McLean as well, but I think he'll be one of our highest earners, so no real issues with him leaving in that respect. Would have liked to keep Finnigan too (on a reduced wage), but I can understand why he wouldn't be kept on. The rest are no losses, and I'm delighted BoB, Mitchell & Olejnik will finally be out the door. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiddy Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I can only imagine Bullen's time is up also & that would be the last of the financial noose Hughes left us with gone. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I can only imagine Bullen's time is up also & that would be the last of the financial noose Hughes left us with gone. Not really, as Hughes also landed us with Pressley. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiddy Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Not really, as Hughes also landed us with Pressley. Forgot about him, due to the BoD's incompetence, were stuck for the seasons start with PBS. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundermonkey Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'm genuinely saddened to see Finnigan go. I expected the other to leave though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Forgot about him, due to the BoD's incompetence, were stuck for the seasons start with PBS. I wonder actually, would we still have ended up with the useless cretin had Hughes not sneaked him into the building that January? For me, a crime even worse than the signing of O'Brien looking back. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'm genuinely saddened to see Finnigan go. I expected the other to leave though. I'm pretty much the same although I'm sure the majority of our support will be happy to see the back of him. I only hope that we bring in a striker in the summer with a bit of aerial presence to replace him. With Boaby leaving and Barclay presumably staying what's been the point of keeping him on the bench the last few weeks? Surely we should've had him in the team and getting him as much experience as possible. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiddy Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I wonder actually, would we still have ended up with the useless cretin had Hughes not sneaked him into the building that January? For me, a crime even worse than the signing of O'Brien looking back. He almost single handedly got us relegated. Had it not been for the RC against St Mirren we'd have got trounced in the Cup Final & last league game. The only other signing as bad, ICR, was Willie Irvine fi Hibs in 86. Nearly stopped us being promoted. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I agree actually. Had Pressley played in Inverness I don't think we'd have won the game. It's funny to think looking back that the day Pressley set foot in the building was really the death knell for us, for years to come. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshmallo Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Going through them: Boaby - Sad to see him leave, I genuinely believe he is one of the best shot stoppers in the country. If he can go to a club with a decent goalkeeping coach to improve his kicking he'll do well. I can undestand him going for financial reasons though. McLean - Again, I'd have kept him ideally but money will behind this. Khalis - Cheers for the lols Mehdi. I'm better than he is. Mitchell - Won't be missed although he's not quite as bad as some think (still gash though). O'Brien - A complete wage thief who doesn't deserve to get another club. Pedro - I thought he'd have done a job for us this season. He's given us good service over the years but it's time to go. Finnigan - Thank f**k. From the way that's written Stewart will be on his way I'd guess. A shame but if we can get half decent compensation for him it might let us bring in another couple of players and/or keep McManus. -1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Also delighted Finnigan goes too. A niggly scumbag of a player. -2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlondeBairn Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Going through them: Boaby - Sad to see him leave, I genuinely believe he is one of the best shot stoppers in the country. If he can go to a club with a decent goalkeeping coach to improve his kicking he'll do well. I can undestand him going for financial reasons though. McLean - Again, I'd have kept him ideally but money will behind this. Khalis - Cheers for the lols Mehdi. I'm better than he is. Mitchell - Won't be missed although he's not quite as bad as some think (still gash though). O'Brien - A complete wage thief who doesn't deserve to get another club. Pedro - I thought he'd have done a job for us this season. He's given us good service over the years but it's time to go. Finnigan - Thank f**k. From the way that's written Stewart will be on his way I'd guess. A shame but if we can get half decent compensation for him it might let us bring in another couple of players and/or keep McManus. Totally areee on Stewart, think he will be badly missed and hope we can hold onto him and Tam. Olejnik - could be a great player if you iron out his kicking and crosses ( slowly improving ) McLean - will be a big loss held the back 4 together imo Khalis - Looked promising pre season and then just fell to bits Mitchell - Never really made a decision on the guy either way, suppose that says it all!! O'Brien - If he did not persist on passing back so often could possibly have done us a service but glad to see the back of his wages Pedro - He was either great or total shite depending on his mood, no great loss this time Finnegan - Miss his hard work but as far as lack of goals and silly yellow cards no great loss. In summary 7 wages going only 2 I would have really wanted to keep Olejnik and McLean 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Re: Stewart But by offering a new contract, which is understood to have already been factored into the new budget, the Westfield club have protected their right to compensation if he does move on.[/i] How does that work, exactly? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugster Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Re: Stewart How does that work, exactly? If you offer a player under 24 an improved contract and they reject it, and sign for someone else, that club must pay you compensation. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Re: Stewart How does that work, exactly? It was the same when we signed Alan Gow from Airdrie. Because he's under a certain age, as long as his current club offers him a new contract (even if they know he has no intention at all of accepting it) they can receive compensation when he moves on. If you don't offer a contract, presumably that's the same as releasing the player and you're entitled to f**k all. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 If you offer a player under 24 an improved contract and they reject it, and sign for someone else, that club must pay you compensation. It was the same when we signed Alan Gow from Airdrie. Because he's under a certain age, as long as his current club offers him a new contract (even if they know he has no intention at all of accepting it) they can receive compensation when he moves on. If you don't offer a contract, presumably that's the same as releasing the player and you're entitled to f**k all. Cheers for the answers, had completely forgotten about the Alan Gow thing! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiddy Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Cheers for the answers, had completely forgotten about the Alan Gow thing! I had just completely forgotten about Alan Gow, never mind anything else! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadwell Dog Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'm genuinely saddened to see Finnigan go. I expected the other to leave though. We simply cant afford a player who struggles to play 20 games a season due to injury and suspensions. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just a bairn Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Largely delighted with the players who will be leaving. Shame to see McLean go, but apart from that there are no real losses. Keeping Stewart would be fantastic, but It seems unlikley. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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