Source: Daily_Mail
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson blasts 'obstructive' agent in Stewart Downing court case
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has described to a jury his deteriorating relationship with an agent, who he accused of lacking respect as he sought to profit from contract negotiations with a star player.[LNB]Gibson claimed Ian Elliott 'understated' the details of a proposed new contract to England player Stewart Downing. He told a jury how he was 'uncomfortable' working with Elliott as negotiations over a new contract for the midfielder stalled.[LNB]Elliott, 53, is on trial at York Crown Court accused of siphoning off large amounts of money from a bank account held by Downing.[LNB] Boro boy: Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has addressed the court as part of the case between Stewart Downing and his agent[LNB]Gibson told the court how Downing was one of the best players at the club in 2007 and they were keen to offer him a new, improved contract.[LNB]He told the jury how he became increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress on a new deal and decided to deal with Elliott himself.[LNB]However, he said he was not prepared to pay Elliott the usual fee of four per cent to five per cent the contract, claiming the agent was 'obstructive'.[LNB]He said: 'The relationship with Elliott was such I was not going to pay that, for several abusive phone calls and him being obstructive. I slimmed down the offer to ?50,000 per annum.'[LNB]Gibson said Downing became the subject of transfer speculation to Tottenham, confirmed by Elliott on a local radio show.[LNB]Gibson said it was 'rule number three in the agent's book' and a way of increasing pressure on Middlesbrough. He said he had an 'unpleasant' telephone conversation with Elliott following the radio broadcast.[LNB] Disagreement: Ian Elliott (left) is accused of falsely siphoning off ?500,000 from footballer Stewart Downing[LNB]The jury was told Downing was happy at Middlesbrough and 'no one believed he wanted to leave'.[LNB]Gibson accused Elliott of having 'no respect for the consequences of his actions towards the club and no respect for the consequences of his actions towards the player'.[LNB]'It was all about Mr Elliott and what he could profit from,' he added. He said following a 'very unpleasant' telephone conversation with Elliott he decided to deal with Downing directly.[LNB]'I decided at the end of the conversation there was no point talking to him, our best interests was speaking to Stewart and his family direct.'[LNB]During cross-examination Robin Patton, for Elliott, put it to Gibson that in a newspaper interview in 2006 he described Elliott as 'one of four agents he was prepared to deal with'.[LNB] Star turn: Downing was one of the brightest talents to emerge from Boro's excellent academy[LNB]'I have every right to change my opinion.' he responded.[LNB]Gibson said he met Downing and his father one evening and offered him ?30,000 a week, rising to ?40,000 a week. He eventually signed the ?11million deal in February 2008.[LNB]In an often heated exchange with Patton, he added: 'I went to the boardroom of Middlesbrough Football Club and sat down with Stewart Downing and his father. We told them the contract offer. I was expecting a long meeting, the meeting was short because they were astounded at the figure in front of them.[LNB]'It was clear from the discussion the information passed to Downing's family had been corrupted by Mr Elliott, understated.'[LNB]Earlier, Downing, 26, who now plays for Aston Villa, told the jury how he discovered just ?11,000 in one of his business accounts.[LNB]He said the account should have had ?600,000 to ?700,000 in it. [LNB]Elliott, of Foxhills Covert, Newcastle, denies fraud.[LNB] Super-rich star Downing reveals he spent ?45,000 on a home cinemaAston Villa midfielder Downing in court over ?500k fraud row with former agentBolton 3 Aston Villa 2: Klasnic caps comeback to put Villa on a downerAll the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Stewart Downing, Ian Elliott Places: Newcastle, United Kingdom Organisations: Middlesbrough Football Club
