How can the situation be taking this long? I just wonder if other factors are at work here?

Maybe Alan Johnson should write to himself and find out WTF is happening. The situation is beyond a joke.

I think that simple incompetence and bureaucratic bloody-mindedness are enough to explain the situation TBH.

Farcical. The authorities in Canberra are an embarrassment to the country.

If he was employed in a more traditional type of job he probably would have had his contract terminated by now. They are playing with peoples livelihood here.

Isn't he in NZ? If it is Canberra, I think the club would have every right to bung in a forceful complaint about the delays to this and Crocker. The delays are "harming a UK business" imho

He is in NZ, but from what I remember at the time his application still goes through Canberra as the High Commission in Wellington no longer handles visa applications. The UKBA consolidated NZ and Australian applications in one office in Canberra.

I recall someone (his agent?) mentioning it in the press.

They are an absolue joke as an authority, it's a disgrace they way they are dealing with things at present.

Just looked it up and you're right (should have known really ). No wonder it's taking so long Is the High Commissioner a Rovers fan????

Amazing people commenting on the actions of the UKBA/Immigration etc.

Are you all really sure that FC are doing everything required?

Under the new rules they are required to do virtually nothing. I honestly can't see how anything the club has done or not done could hold things up.

I'm certainly open to any evidence to the contrary, mind.

I was reading in yesterdays League Express about another player who has just got his VISA after initially signing back in February. The whole process is a complete joke time wise.

Cant remember which coach it was but they were complaining about the lack of information coming out of Canberra and ever changing goalposts.

The RFL need to come to the clubs assistance here because the communications seems pretty much non existant at club level. Surely a sports governing body can form some sort of relationship to help both parties speed up the whole process?

AFAIK there was a consultation exercise between the authorities and sports agencies before this came in. All I am saying is that nobody here knows the details of the perceived delays, so to apportion blame on any one side or individual is impossible at this time.

The biggest single issue is the fact we have been paying him and he hasn't been playing for us, or anyone else, so even when (if) he arrives will he be an asset straight away.

What is concerning is the lack of communication from all agencies.

Communications seem to be the biggest bugbear.

I hope our overseas signings for 2010 have got their applications in because going by these standards it may be around Christmas time before they get a reply!