Red Tape and Bureaucracy

Obviously with nothing better to do than rename leagues to make themselves richer, the Football League have rejected the signing of Grant.

We all know when the window closes that outside of emergency loans and players who aren't under contract, players cannot move clubs.

Tony Grant was unemployed when we signed him. However when the window closed he was on a week to week basis with Bristol City and in the eyes of the Football League that means he is a contracted player.

Their decision means he cannot sign for a club until January 1st, and more importantly they are forcing him to be unwaged and unable to take a job in his chosen profession which seems ridiculous in this day and age.

Grant is expected to seek advice from the Professional Footballers' Association although no resolution looks likely.

Gradi said, “With the rule as it is at the moment he is unsignable, which seems harsh on him because I would imagine he has a family to look after and no income coming in now until January.

“It is something he and his agent have overlooked and I can see why that could happen because it really is difficult to foresee that problem arising when you are only on a week to week contract – but unfortunately that is the ruling and it is a nuisance.

“If we were to sign him, I am sure no one would be offended by it except the rule makers. In the meantime he is still able to come here and train with us and we would be prepared to wait for him until the window reopens on 1st January.”