If it existed would the Eagles clause amount to a restraint of trade and perhaps be illegal anyway?

No, conditional endorsements from early contractural release are NOT a restraint of trade if both parties agree and sign up to it!

Slap a print out of Aston's text messages on their lawyers desk and bring an immediate end to this sham stand off.

Or publish them in league express like Mr Aston has with everything in this saga.

May give some insight into the character of Mr Aston with his integrity and honesty.

thats the legal point - they cannot prove a direct or even an indirect loss - i would imagine the journalists will get bored with this very soon

Again, by taking on the case, Sheffield will believe they CAN prove that Barlow broke a contract, Fax knowingly played him and as a result Sheffield were 'disadvantaged'!
How great or how little a loss would be decided by the court.

And you are correct. I guarantee that quite soon this case will be forgotten. Another topic will be the vogue!

Don't think it's a sham Rich. I think Aston might not be as confident as perhaps he thought he was - I'm not sure, but I think the process has actually started.
Can't see it as a sham!

I think if the threats that have been made by txt message were exposed, he'd lose a lot of credibility

Already has, as far as I am concerned

by focusing on this subject in his post match interview instead of biging up his team and season, after what was a good run for them, shows he has lost it

he should have been the big man he thinks he is and done any legal stuff in a better mannor

very narrow performance in my opinion, he is trying to be a bully and it has back fired!

His credibility may already be flushed down the gary glitter, that's down to personal judgement - it doesn't mean any intention to persue the matter through the legal process is unjust or a sham. A judge will decide that if it gets that far!

Why does it? He was/is aggreived. He spoke his mind and has a right to do that as long as he didn't libel anyone. Whether he looks or sounds like an @rse is largely irrelevant!



As he's the one considering the legal action, it's Aston that will decide how and when it happens and in what manner. What he "should" do is what he considers best for him and his club! How he's perceived by his actions will have little influence on the legal process as long as it's not considered 'prejudicial' to the case! Bullying doesn't come into it if he feels he/the club have been disadvantaged and are seeing legal redress.

Not saying its unjust that he does pursue it through the correct channels, but there is a way you go about the process, sending threatening txt messages to the other party is not the correct way,

Halifax have placed it in the hands of solicitors and made no further comment, It seems Mr Aston has phoned the media before phoning his solicitors

It appears he has. And the reason FAx haven't responded through the media is that any comments prejudicial to the case that are made public can and will affect the case. They have to be careful what is said.

Aston is now in the same boat but is safe to comment what is already in the public arena and what his intentions are! It seems a bit imbalanced but that's the nature of this kind of case.

I take your point about the text - that's not how I would do things, but I'm of a certain age. I've just discussed this with my daughter - aged 25. She doesn't see any problem. A text is just another form of communication - is this just an age thing?? Maybe Aston feels so hacked off with the issue he felt a text was the appropriate media for venting his spleen - I don't know what was/is in his head!

Astons intention is and was, to acheive what?
His reaction appears to indulge his motive. In some repects pro Sheffield 100% .... but.....

If he continues to act like this, how does he think it will effect players he wants to sign in the future, perhaps i am more enlightened than him, but how would people feel prior to signing when you consider his reactions to Worrincy and Barlow leaving.

Mark needs to take a deep breath and consider things more disspassionately. Its a game! Rugby or Life. Calm down.