23 replies to this topic

[wings beneath my feet]

If he plays how long before he gets a yellow or red - I say 17minutes

[Griff]

[charlie caroli]

If he plays how long before he gets a yellow or red - I say 17minutes

KENS not a dirty or vindictive man ,just ask DEIRDRE

[Phil Stone]

Interesting post match interview from Tubby. It would appear that this story still has legs so to speak and I'm sure Barlow's celebration in pretending to rip up a contract didn't go down too well with the Sheffield officials.

[Eagletarian]

It's to be expected......Ken is a card carrying member of the Tory Party

[Grey Beard]

As an excercise in destabiilising the opposition Halifax succeeded in spades and I am sad that the Eagles fell for it. Whether it was an ethical ploy or not is a different matter but there again is it ethical for the club to say you can play for Halifax as long as we aren't the opposition? I don't know the answers but I do think that this matter should be put to bed now so that the club can concentrate on next season.

[FaxMachine]

As an excercise in destabiilising the opposition Halifax succeeded in spades and I am sad that the Eagles fell for it. Whether it was an ethical ploy or not is a different matter but there again is it ethical for the club to say you can play for Halifax as long as we aren't the opposition? I don't know the answers but I do think that this matter should be put to bed now so that the club can concentrate on next season.

Well said mate. There speaks the voice of reason.

[Eagletarian]

Eagles poised to sue rivals over Barlow

Sheffield Star
Published Date: 20 September 2010
By James Collins

SHEFFIELD Eagles have taken the first steps towards court action against Halifax over the Sam Barlow affair.
A club director consulted lawyers on Friday after their former player Barlow helped Halifax end Eagles hopes of making the Championship Grand Final.

It is understood that the advice was that the Eagles have "a very strong case".
"It's not sour grapes because Sam Barlow played but that won't be the last you hear of it," said coach Mark Aston. "Before the game I said to the chairman 'you take it as far as this can go'.
"I let the kid go in good faith that he wouldn't play against us."

The row has the potential to develop into one of the biggest in rugby league for years.
Just before the transfer deadline, the Eagles cancelled Barlow's contract and he signed for Halifax. The Eagles allege an illegal approach had been made to encourage Barlow to seek his release and part of the deal was an agreement that he wouldn't play against them during the 2010 season.
Barlow played in Thursday night's play-off semi-final and scored a try as Halifax beat the Eagles 42-16.

The Rugby Football League has told the clubs they cannot intervene and it is a matter they have to resolve.
Eagles chairman Ian Swire confirmed that the club has consulted lawyers and is likely to push ahead with suing Barlow and Halifax.

He said: "We have run this club and paid every single penny of every single contract that we have signed so why should somebody think they are above the contract they have signed?
Swire said the club had not sought an injunction before the Halifax game in the hope that Barlow would honour the deal.

He added: "That would have been bringing the game into disrepute – we could have done so and stopped him (Barlow) playing but felt that was the wrong thing for the game of rugby league.
"If we don't do this it will be open season on any contract anybody signs."
Halifax chairman Michael Steele has strongly denied that any illegal approach was made to the playe.
"It is difficult to see how one player made such a big difference to such a one-sided result," said Steele.
"The player approached us and before we spoke to him we contacted Sheffield to ask for permission."
"Sam subsequently negotiated his own release and paid Sheffield a sum of money out of his own pocket before signing a contract with us."

Earlier this season Halifax was thrown out of the Challenge Cup after playing an ineligible player.

[Grey Beard]

I just hope that this doesn't lead to the Eagles equivalent of the Blades Tevez Affair. Although the Blades "won" it was IMHO a Pyrrhic victory at best and Sheffield United haven't moved forward (or indeed on) as a result.

[West Country Eagle]

I just hope that this doesn't lead to the Eagles equivalent of the Blades Tevez Affair. Although the Blades "won" it was IMHO a Pyrrhic victory at best and Sheffield United haven't moved forward (or indeed on) as a result.

I doubt it's about money. I think it's about teaching Barlow a lesson and pointing out to Halifax (and their idiot coach, who told Barlow to play and was crucial in Barlow moving/seeking a move) that they can't just do what they like.

Personally, I'd rather the Eagles drop the whole thing, but I can see why they want to make a point.

[Grey Beard]

I doubt it's about money. I think it's about teaching Barlow a lesson and pointing out to Halifax (and their idiot coach, who told Barlow to play and was crucial in Barlow moving/seeking a move) that they can't just do what they like.

Personally, I'd rather the Eagles drop the whole thing, but I can see why they want to make a point.

Couldn't agree more. Time to move on and start building for next season

[FaxMachine]

http://www.halifaxco...rlow.6576292.jp

I believe that the settlement figure was £50.

Edited by FaxMachine, 12 October 2010 - 12:44 PM.

[wings beneath my feet]

It doesn't matter if it was 50p Halifax have cheated all season - illegally playing players who were rrecruited after cup deadlines, illegally sacking players and playing players against teams who they agree not too you can whinge all you like but your club were wrong to do it they are cheats .. get over it!

[FaxMachine]

It doesn't matter if it was 50p Halifax have cheated all season - illegally playing players who were rrecruited after cup deadlines, illegally sacking players and playing players against teams who they agree not too you can whinge all you like but your club were wrong to do it they are cheats .. get over it!

We're also Champions. Get over THAT!

[Griff]

We're also Champions. Get over THAT!

And unbeaten in the Challenge Cup too. Not many teams can say that.

[West Country Eagle]

http://www.halifaxco...rlow.6576292.jp

I believe that the settlement figure was £50.

It was a fair bit more than that.

The important thing to note is that HALIFAX HAVE ADMITTED THEY WERE WRONG. And it's not just for playing him, but for an illegal approach.

So all the smug Fax fans on messageboards who said you'd done nothing wrong are idiots.

I doubt the Eagles will ever see the money though. Fax have none, and will probably fall apart in the close season.

[FaxMachine]

It was a fair bit more than that.

The important thing to note is that HALIFAX HAVE ADMITTED THEY WERE WRONG. And it's not just for playing him, but for an illegal approach.

So all the smug Fax fans on messageboards who said you'd done nothing wrong are idiots.

I doubt the Eagles will ever see the money though. Fax have none, and will probably fall apart in the close season.

"Michael Steele, chairman of Halifax RLFC, has sent a letter of apology to Sheffield Eagles in which he acknowledges that the judgement of Halifax RLFC to play Sam was morally wrong and Sheffield has accepted that apology"

It says nothing about an illegal approach that I can see.

So, to reiterate, you know how much the settlement was and how much money Fax have in the bank. It must be nice to be a confidante of BOTH clubs. I bow to your informed knowledge (or did someone tell you down the pub?)

[Griff]

"Michael Steele, chairman of Halifax RLFC, has sent a letter of apology to Sheffield Eagles in which he acknowledges that the judgement of Halifax RLFC to play Sam was morally wrong and Sheffield has accepted that apology"

It says nothing about an illegal approach that I can see.

It won't. Still under investigation by the RFL.

[FaxMachine]

It won't. Still under investigation by the RFL.

"A joint statement said: "We are pleased to announce that following Halifax playing Sam Barlow in the play off match on September 16 in breach of a signed contract between Sam and Sheffield Eagles, the two clubs have reached an out of court financial settlement and the matter is now closed as far as both clubs are concerned."

No mention of further action. Sounds pretty final to me and Michael Steele has said on numerous occasions that they asked Sheffield for permission to speak to Sam and no-one disputed this.

[Griff]

My understanding is that this is something the RFL picked up on themselves and is not part of the original dispute. However, my information could be wrong.

If there's been a breach, no doubt we'll hear at some future point. If not, I suppose it won't ever be mentioned publicly again.

Edited by Griff, 15 October 2010 - 03:19 PM.