Transfer Regulations Debate
Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey
Richard Tracey says he gets frustrated when fellow managers do not follow the rules regarding the approaching of players.
The Ossett Albion chief claims some are constantly using social media to flout the rules. He also highlighted a situation where he was upset with the conduct with a manager. They did not break the rules, but they tried to unsettle a player.
Tracey refused to discuss the identity of the manager, but it is believed that he does not manage in the Evo Stik Leagues.
“People breaking the rules or going around upsetting people happens all the time so unfortunately it is not how it should be,” Tracey told Non League Yorkshire.
“We try and do it right here. We’ve had a manager who sent a parent a Facebook message telling them that their son wasn’t in our plans. I couldn’t believe it, it is the first time I’ve ever known anything like it.
“Although he was entitled to speak to the player as the seven day’s notice had been waived, that manager had no conversation with anyone at the club and would have had no knowledge of whether he was in our plans or not.
“Why didn’t he ring me? Things like that happen, but they should have no place in the game. Unfortunately the social media world has opened up players for managers and conversations take place far too often. I think there are a few who go blatantly around behind the backs of people.
“There is not a lot you can do because what are the FA really going to do? So it is hard to stomach things sometimes.
“We’re always willing to help here if things are done in the right way because we don’t want lads not playing. We always try and help and we have done that with Josh (Wright) at Worsbrough and Darren (Holmes) and Lee Vigars (at Glasshoughton).
“I’ve got a lot of friends in the game like Lee Morris, Chris Hilton, Lee Ashforth, Paul Quinn and the other Evo Stik managers. We all talk, help each other and we do things properly. That’s how it should be.”
Tracey’s comments come on the back of Brighouse Town assistant manager Lee Ashforth’s call for a radical change in the seven days rule.
The key points were that clubs would be able to speak to players straight after issuing a seven day’s notice and would have just seven days to wrap up a deal or not.
Currently clubs have 21 days to speak to a player once the seven day’s notice has been waived or elapsed.
“If things are done properly, the system works, but I looked at what Ash said and thought ‘that’s not a bad idea’,” Tracey added.
“I’d back him all the way with it. I agree that the 20 days that follow the seven day notice can be nervous for clubs.
“A player could turn down a club on the first day, but that club can still come back 18 days later with a better offer and the player is more likely to go. For clubs like us with smaller budgets, it can make it difficult.
“It makes it harder for clubs so I agree with Ash.”