Home Park: Players have dropped strike threat
Doubts were raised over this weekend's League Two fixture between Plymouth Argyle and Burton Albion after several senior players at Home Park, including Romain Larrieu and Carl Fletcher, discussed the option of striking on Thursday in the wake of the financially stricken club, who remain in administration, failing to pay their wages.
However, part of their salaries for August have been paid on Friday and Reid's squad have agreed to defer the remaining 60%.
And Reid, who has praised his players' attitude, will be able to choose from a full squad at the Pirelli Stadium.
Reid said: "We have been negotiating with the players. They have trained well. They are all on the bus and all looking forward to the game. They are not happy but they have agreed a deferral with the administrator so I am going to put the strongest side I can out. They have been very, very professional the way they have gone about it. You wonder as a manger what performance you will get out of them after what has gone on mentally. They have been paid a certain amount. I think they are getting 40% of the wages into the bank today which is not an ideal situation."
Skipper Fletcher added on Sky Sports News: "It is a dark cloud hanging over the club. It is a release to come and train. On a Saturday it is 90 minutes to take our mind off all the worry of our home lives. The last thing we wanted to do was not play on Saturday. We had to make a stand and it sums it up that we made a stand and they did something about it. Why didn't they just do that in the first place?"
Argyle have been in administration since March, but looked to have agreed a takeover with Bishop International Ltd, who claimed to have funds in place.
However, the finances have yet to materialise, ensuring the staff at Home Park went unpaid yet again.
A statement from Argyle Fans' Trust read: "The Argyle Fans' Trust would like to express in the strongest possible terms its disappointment, frustration and anger at the further delays in the ongoing sale of the football club. Despite firm assurances, the players and staff at Argyle have once again not received payment of their wages. This is despite the fact that the club has received income from four home matches in August. We reiterate our complete support for the staff and players at this desperate time for them and the club."
Best of luck lads, serious stuff down in Devon.
Hopefully, manager Paul Sturrock's former side which he did so well for as boss will turn up to face the Shrimpers at Roots Hall on Saturday, September 17th.