Source: Team_Talk
Hull to hold further talks with PFA
Hull's squad will hold further talks with the PFA in the coming days after being asked to defer a proportion of their wages over the summer.[LNB] Players met with the PFA - represented by former Tigers defender Richard Jobson - at their Cottingham training ground yesterday and expressed a willingness to support the plan, which would see their wages reduced by a reported 30% in the short term on the understanding they would be fully repaid once the club's finances are back on a more even keel.[LNB]Those players whose contracts contain wage cuts based on relegation have also been asked to bring those reductions forward from the end of June as the club, who also held talks with manager Phil Brown over his future yesterday, seek to ease a £38.9million wage bill.[LNB]Chairman Russell Bartlett claims the figure will automatically fall to £21million on June 30, when some contracts and loan deals end and any wage cut clauses come into effect, but he is keen to reduce it closer to £15million to combat a debt of around £35million.[LNB]PFA deputy chief executive John Bramhall expects further progress once the club have briefed the organisation on the full details of their financial situation.[LNB]And he said: "We're awaiting full clarification of the figures and those are on their way. We've spoken to all the players, we're now fully aware of the situation with regards to contracts etc, it's just the financial details from the club that we're waiting for.[LNB]"In many situations in the past where clubs have been in similar financial positions, the players have been prepared to work with the club and move forward and if it's a justifiable case, then the PFA would support them in that.[LNB]"As soon as we get the information on the club's finances, we'll be in contact with the players, so that's going to be happening over the next few days."[LNB]Brown remains on gardening leave having seen his duties handed to Iain Dowie on a temporary basis for the final nine games of the season.[LNB]The 50-year-old's £1.4million annual salary is one of the biggest financial liabilities facing the club, and a return to his role is surely unthinkable - leaving a settlement the only realistic option.[LNB]Brown was accompanied to his meeting by League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan, who confirmed "initial discussions" had taken place but told the Hull Daily Mail: "There is little more I can add. It was a meeting to discuss the process and any further statement will have to come from the club."
