Do you expect me to talk? No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die.
As the U.S.A. decide to face off to the Russians once again you would be forgiven to think this was leading into a 'Back in Time' article of some mid-sixties match.
The role agents play in our own beloved game has been well scrutinised but the Football Leagues Annual Report into agents, read the full report by clicking onto www.southendunited.co.uk and going to the end of the article, has some welcoming news that the clubs are fighting back.
This particular cold war will never be won as agents are here to stay, making milionaires of those involved at the higher end of the Premiership. The continued mischief they can be involved in behind the scenes was more than likely behind the speed of Nicky Bailey's exit from the club this week as well as his comments to Sky Sports News.
However, it was a small victory that was announced on the official site that the Blues only paid 38k to them in the first six months of 2008, down nearly a half from the previous six months, and just under 8% of the whole of League One's total of £479,853. Of 23 deals, 8 were new transfers, 5 updated contracts, 4 cancelled contracts and 6 were loan deals.
Leeds, you will not be surprised to hear wrote off nearly half, £200,000, and they moaned about the 15 point penalty, it should have been double, ask Luton! (Though they had to pay back £239,750 over the whole 12 month period which sort of explains why they are in the mess they are and sends a chill through us all. Puts Uncle Ron's comments into full perspective.)
Leeds nearly doubling to £373,000 and a clear first place. Carlisle fans would be interested to know how much Dougie Freeman took out of that? Swansea, the champions, only paid out £47,386, while Oldham and Bristol Rovers supporters must wonder what they got for £128,000 and £52,793 respectively.
Stand up and take a bow Crewe, Hartlepool and Huddersfield who paid out bugger all over the whole year. Though looking at their final league positions they could ask similar questions to the others but in reverse.
However, why the upbeat headline. These fees are down and in these credit crunch days may remain so.
Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney told the official site: "In the last twelve months we've seen a resurgent market clubs spending significantly greater sums on players. It is encouraging that this has not been coupled with a similar increase in payments to agents. Instead, these are now at their lowest levels since we began publishing these figures four seasons ago. Football League clubs continue to make genuine strides towards putting their economic affairs in order. We have led in that regard, though more remains to be done."
And so say all of us.
Leeds, you will not be surprised to hear wrote off nearly half, £200,000, and they moaned about the 15 point penalty, it should have been double, ask Luton! (Though they had to pay back £239,750 over the whole 12 month period which sort of explains why they are in the mess they are and sends a chill through us all. Puts Uncle Ron's comments into full perspective.)
Looking into the full year of July 1 2007 thru June 30 2008 sees Southend in 8th position having paid £79,410.
Leeds nearly doubling to £373,000 and a clear first place. Carlisle fans would be interested to know how much Dougie Freeman took out of that? Swansea, the champions, only paid out £47,386, while Oldham and Bristol Rovers supporters must wonder what they got for £128,000 and £52,793 respectively.
Stand up and take a bow Crewe, Hartlepool and Huddersfield who paid out bugger all over the whole year. Though looking at their final league positions they could ask similar questions to the others but in reverse.
However, why the upbeat headline. These fees are down and in these credit crunch days may remain so.
Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney told the official site: "In the last twelve months we've seen a resurgent market clubs spending significantly greater sums on players. It is encouraging that this has not been coupled with a similar increase in payments to agents. Instead, these are now at their lowest levels since we began publishing these figures four seasons ago. Football League clubs continue to make genuine strides towards putting their economic affairs in order. We have led in that regard, though more remains to be done."
And so say all of us.