Quote Terry Monster="Terry Monster"I think selling a player that is held to a contract makes you a selling club.'"
I think on this issue you are on a bit shaky ground, tbh.
If a player wants out for more money or to pursue an ambition or whatever, even if the player is being reasonable about it and not taking his bat home, then yes you CAN hold him to his contract. And if said player takes his bat home, then yes as you argued elsewhere you CAN play him in the reserves to teach him a lesson (except of course there are no reserves next year...) And yes, if it makes you feel good to know you have not let the player get his own way then you CAN have a big chunk of salary cap sat in the stand or carrying the water on.
Yes, you CAN do that. But why would you want to?
Alternatively, you recognise the inevitability of the situation - same as Leeds did with Harris when he went to Cardiff, and get the best you can for the player and free up the cap for someone who is more keen to be here. And, funnily enough, once it gets sorted then the player's performances usually improve in the games he has left.
I have it on very good authority that one at least of the players on your list did indeed take his bat home over money big time at one point.
I also think it needs to be recognised that clubs who historically have been seen as selling clubs did it either to stay alive or to cash in a big asset to further the club's development. The latter like we did with Newlove. I guess the history books will record why we sold Fielden.