Tommy Wright

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

The fact that this is lower tier football is important though. I suspect the DT is trying to make the point that corruption is endemic right through the pyramid, part of the culture. I suspect they are right.

Yeah, don't get me wrong I think there are obvious signs of dodgy dealings. I'm basically disappointed they haven't nailed them on more serious stuff because right now it looks as though there's wiggle room for these guys to survive.

It sounds like the journo's were hoping to land some big fish along with Sam but it maybe isn't quite so cut and dried, hence the Tommy Wright story is leading for now.
Hasselbanks story sounds rather lame, and I'd imagine Cellino has some pretty heavy duty legal mobsters protectors. A shame that such important news affecting the integrity of the game is boiled down to a drip-fed sensationalist newspaper headline.

Exactly what is the point to this whole thing? That human beings will always take an easy offer with seemingly little or no risk when it's laid out to them? It's like leaving a £20 note on the floor and filming people who pocket it then calling them a criminal for stealing money that isn't theirs. It's like the football version of To Catch A Predator.

Personally I'd be more worried what goes on with these corporate types who run the game like those in the FA and the corruption there.

Quoted from Happy_Mariner

Is the Scott McGarvey, who is the agent involved in some of these meetings, the ex-Town player from the 80s?

No, it was another Scott McGarvey who just happened to be wearing a similar coat.

Quoted from Kris2

Exactly what is the point to this whole thing? That human beings will always take an easy offer with seemingly little or no risk when it's laid out to them? It's like leaving a £20 note on the floor and filming people who pocket it then calling them a criminal for stealing money that isn't theirs. It's like the football version of To Catch A Predator.

Personally I'd be more worried what goes on with these corporate types who run the game like those in the FA and the corruption there.

You are missing the point. Like I said earlier if you are going to fiddle you do it in small doses. Filming someone picking up  £5K in this situation is a lot different to filming someone picking up a £20 note or even a bagful of cash in the street. It could prove to be one of a number of £5K deals by that same person.

Of course it matters that the PL is rife with corruption and that the FA does FA about it. That doesn't mean other people should get away with it on a smaller scale because a deal like this at a club like Barnsley will affect clubs at their level. I'd be bothered if it was discovered that some manager/coach in our league was on the take from an agent even if it was only for a few hundred, wouldn't you?

What is "To Catch A Predator" btw?

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

What is "To Catch A Predator" btw?

A quite notorious American reality show where a group of people linked with the Police try to catch peadophiles by having somebody pose as a minor on chat rooms to lure them to a house then they use a kid to provide a false sense of security to get them inside the house so they can "trap" them and eventually have them arrested after asking a bunch of awkward questions to expose them. It's basically like Jeremy Kyle except to go out baiting pedos instead of chavs.

People have been critical that it works on temptation finding people that think they might just get away with it and convincing them to come get trapped for some sensationalist TV when they act like they are doing some good, it seems a lot like what these journalists are doing on the surface yeah it's good that they are investigating these things but they are providing situations to lure people in so they can get a story.

Quoted from Kris2

A quite notorious American reality show where a group of people linked with the Police try to catch peadophiles by having somebody pose as a minor on chat rooms to lure them to a house then they use a kid to provide a false sense of security to get them inside the house so they can "trap" them and eventually have them arrested after asking a bunch of awkward questions to expose them. It's basically like Jeremy Kyle except to go out baiting pedos instead of chavs.

People have been critical that it works on temptation finding people that think they might just get away with it and convincing them to come get trapped for some sensationalist TV when they act like they are doing some good, it seems a lot like what these journalists are doing on the surface yeah it's good that they are investigating these things but they are providing situations to lure people in so they can get a story.

Thanks.

Sounds like that group in the UK apart from the TV bit.

I suppose you have to look at the other side of it - there must be a deterrent effect if would-be offenders realise there's a good chance your catch in the chat room is a fake.

That's why Allardyce said he was "silly" because he knew there were stings around but believed it when his agent said it was OK. In fact McGarvey was more naive than Allardyce!

Corruption, in various forms, is rife in all area's of business and Football is simply no different

Mr McGarvey looked a bit hassled and very busy on his mobile when I walked past him outside a hostelry in Prestwich last night!

We have had dealings with Barnsley this season though.....