Yes DC, but I didn’t want to give names out. I would’ve done the same cos I felt exactly the same as you , you know what contracts all players are on and I know a few as well believe it or not I know someone who would’ve snapped your hand off at that age. I can’t for the life of me understand why during these hard times for everyone that you’d turn down security like what was offered.

So true Vasty but sad too, if it’s anything to do with his agent I’ve no idea but from first hand experience Jordan was nearly lost to the game by one, well full time certainly.

I've always believed that Agents are utterly unnecessary but never having been a player I couldn't be sure. I couldn't see why occasionally employing the services of a contract Solicitor and an Accountant when required would not achieve the same. Let's be honest most players know what they are worth and with a bit of independent advice will get what they want Costs far less for the same service!

Having just read Alex Fergusons's book 'Leading' it appears I'm right. He says that 'unless a player wants to sell aftershave or get media work they are a waste of time. If a player is happy to live purely off his contract wage then all that is needed is...'. You guessed it, a contract Solicitor and an Accountant! This is even more relevant when you consider the sums a football player gets, should be really straight forward. Agents to me are snake oil salesmen and one of the greatest Managers in the history of British football agrees.

Reminds me of Mark Calderwood at Leeds. Thought he was a superstar (he wasn't IMO, just fast) so decided to turn down a new contract and chase more money. I don't know much about your lad Lee, but the problem often seems to be with people who's self-worth is slightly at odds with reality.

I get what you are saying but I don't see it as a problem, just a different style or maybe core value..
I'm not convinced anyone on here would turn down a pay rise if it was twice what they are on for doing the same job. You wouldn't be worth the money either but if someone was willing to pay for it, why not?

Roy Keane was different. He didn't need an agent because he was already at a big money club and didn't want to leave.
I'll bet you he'd have got an agent if his form dipped and he was no longer King at Old Trafford.

I don’t think he would, he’d have just employed a solicitor and an accountant and argued his case. The greatest gift agents seem to have as far as I can see is convincing people that they need one when they don’t.

Agents should be centrally employed by the governing body and be availablefor any player who wishes to use one. That way they have no incentive to concoct a transfer/deal just to get their 10% and should have the players interest completely at heart.

I agree
I was a young lad I the 70s when the 3day week was introduced, 15% interest on my mortgage one Brad winner and family to keep ,just had to get on with it

Agree Oddshape,12 months without a penny and a mortgage round my neck, don’t know their born.

I haven't read all the comments, but there are perhaps two things to be taken from it:
1. He is a young player who has played the occasional game when other players are injured, and has spent time on loan. I would be surprised if he was on a lot anyway.
2. More relevant, perhaps, is that he has been offered a new contract, won't accept it, but may go off to rugby union. Is there a smack of contract brinksmanship about it?

He might be wiser to accept a new contract but a short one, prove himself, and if he does, demand a bigger one. As a winger, if he hasn't broken through by the time he's 23, he won't. At this stage, I would imagine he is regarded as a back-up winger only.

Same here mate, bought the house 6 months before we got married. the week after we got married it all came crashing down. The estate agents words "always take out the biggest mortgage you can afford" still haunt me to this day.

There was some dodgy builders in Cas back in the day, hope it was insured.