The Football League, which governs the three divisions below the Premiership, have decided to continue to allow transfers between clubs in those echelons, despite a worldwide transfer window becoming operational at the end of August 31st. At UEFA and FIFA conventions, the League has often argued that the scale of full-time professional clubs in England and the livelihood they get from winter dealings is specific to this country, and although the system is in constant review, this will continue for the 2004/5 campaign.
Football League Head of Communications John Nagle said, “The Football League will not be implementing the transfer window system on a domestic basis. Consequently, League clubs will continue to operate under the same rules as the last two seasons”. United have taken advantage of this, bringing in current players Jay Smith and Nicky Nicolau from Aston Villa and Arsenal respectively under the guidelines set out.
Nagle continued on this point, “League clubs will be able to trade freely with each other and with clubs from leagues below the Football League until the transfer deadline”, which falls this season on March 24th. “They will also be able to loan players from FA Premier League clubs”, he added.
The restrictions imposed, Nagle explained, were, “However, they will be unable to sell or loan players to top-flight clubs or trade with football clubs outside the domestic league structure until the window re-opens on January 1st”. He concluded, “The Football League is continuing his efforts to get FIFA to reconsider the application of transfer windows within the domestic league structure”.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com