A.G, on 27 April 2017 - 02:12 PM, said:
To Chesterfield fans, for starters apologies for such a long post. I am writing this in response to a lot of unanswered questions regarding Liam Graham, and a lot of assumptions and rumours that have arisen out of those discussions. I want to clear up those facts so that it hopefully provides some clarity surrounding those questions. As for the validity of the claims I make, I am Liam’s brother, and as such know quite well the goings on in his career. I wish only to be objective and hope I have done so below. I want to also be clear that I am writing this not on behalf of Liam, but solely to clear up questions that have come about on Bobs Board.
• Clearing up why Liam could not play/played under a false name when originally signed:
o When Liam was signed he had already been registered for two clubs that same season. In any given transfer window, you cannot be registered for three separate clubs and as such was only then eligible for Chesterfield from January 2016 (being the next open transfer window). However, after Dean Saunders sacking DW made it clear that due to the CFCs position in the league he would not play Liam as he did not know him. This is why Liam went to play for Whitehawk on loan from Chesterfield (having at this stage been registered) - he wanted game time to gain match fitness. Liam’s time at Whitehawk was successful. When he arrived Whitehawk were flirting with relegation, when he left they had made it to the playoff semi-final. Whilst at Whitehawk he played a mixture of right back, centre back and centre midfield, playing a key role in this run.
o I’d also like to be clear that when Liam signed neither Liam nor the club were aware of the hindrance that was to come when CFC tried to register him, and therefore the fault lies with neither party.
• Salary, lodgings and costs claims:
o I have quoted some information from various threads below so you know the exact figures and statements I am referring to. The thread is in bold and my responses in standard text.
o Moondog 26/04/2017 7:50AM
o The issue is agreeing it for contracted players such as £500 pm towards Liam Graham's rent for the best part of 2 years including I believe when he was recuperating from injury in Abu Dhabi
o Firstly Moondogs figure of £500pm towards Liam’s rent is incorrect. A small matter in difference Liam was undertaking rehab in Dubai not Abu Dhabi. However, I want to clear up that he did so at his own expense, not at the clubs. This was in order to let the likes of Club Physio Rodger focus on players that would be fit again this current season.
o Rumour from Deepthroat thread:
o Dim view, 01 February 2017 3:39PM
o £1k a week.
o Freelander Response: 01/02/2017 5:09PM
o Who am I to argue with you, £1K a week for Liam Graham! - When did he become "available" for selection and how many games has he featured in since signing for us back in Oct 2015?
o Lindo-Spireite 01/02/2017 5:38PM
o Na you’re miles out
o Westbars Spireite “I really hope that’s a sick joke”
o The Black Triangle “that can’t be true can it”
o Freelander 2 “Dimview reckons so and who are we to argue”
o Spireitenag “It’s no wonder he’s currently in Dubai”
o In response to this portion of thread, Liam does not earn 1k a week, nor anywhere near that figure. This is a grossly exaggerated estimate.
o Dim View 2nd March 2017 6:26PM
o "We could run a book on what a forensic audit would find.
Without having to think much, my money would be on....
Air tickets to the Middle East.
Ringers on the payroll.
Massive severance payments.
Massive commission payments.
Sondico compensation.
Excessive costs of switching suppliers."
o MDCCCLXVI 3rd March 2017 6:51PM
o But strangely no record of a cheque covering Liam Graham’s costs?
o As mentioned above, this thread mentioned possible Middle East flights and other costs Liam supposedly would have incurred at the club if an audit was undertaken. When on National Team duty NZ Football cover Liam’s costs, and when he went to Dubai for rehabilitation purposes as already mentioned he paid for his expenses – Worthy of mention, even if the club had paid for Liam’s expenses, they are covered under player injury insurance, no matter where or for whom the injury occurred.
• Liam’s Dads involvement suggestion.
o There was zero involvement from Liam’s Dad and there never has been any involvement from Liam’s Dad in his football career. It is as simple as that. I’d also like to extend this to third party involvement in Liam’s time at Chesterfield. These rumours are also false, there has been no third-party involvement.
• Agent fees Thread
o In response to the Agents fees thread. The Agent claiming credit for Liam’s signing at Chesterfield is not Liam’s agent and never has been in the past. At one stage he did help Liam gain trials at Italian clubs but was never contracted as Liam’s agent and played no part in Liam coming to the UK or CFC. Liam does not feature on the Agent Fees list as he did not have an Agent until recently.
• Dennis Bingham/Liam Sutcliffe supposed connection
o Liam has no connection to Liam Stucliffe whatsoever. Additionally, Liam’s connection to Dennis Bingham was Dennis helping Liam get trials at clubs in the UK. Liam has no connection to other activities/claimed activities Dennis has been a part of and Liam knows nothing of those circumstances. As such it is unfair to associate him with those possible undertakings.
• Direct response to MDCCCLXVIs post on the 13th April 2017 1:34PM
o The thread - “I say everyone should vote for Liam Graham. Then the Club would either have to explain his absence from the awards evening or expose him to questions of how he arrived, who was behind it, if a cheque changed hands and why he spent so many months playing as a ringer...“
o In response to your claim of explaining his absence from the awards evening, Liam will 100% be at the upcoming awards evening. Secondly, if not already clear, there is nothing more to how he arrived than playing well in trial games (particularly against Sheffield United) and Dean Saunders believing he would be a natural successor to Drew Talbot, as some of you have mentioned yourselves from the posts I have read. No cheque changed hands, and as has already been mentioned he was never eligible for Chesterfield until January 2016 - hence playing under a false name before that. Let’s also be clear here, playing under a false name was not his decision, but the clubs. Further, a lot of the issues you raise on this forum when scapegoating Liam are quite clearly not his fault nor within his power to influence. In response to exposing Liam to difficult questions: he is always available to answer your questions. Feel free to message him on Instagram and simply ask. He answers all CFCs fans questions that he can.
• Gary Caldwell not knowing who Liam was:
o I am referring to the below thread, and have quoted it so you know what I am specifically responding to. Whilst Liam was in Dubai doing his rehab he asked the club multiple times for Gary Caldwell’s number so that he could introduce himself. However, they told him not to worry about it until he got back as GC was only interested in players that were immediately fit. That’s Liam’s side of the story. I do not want to make assumptions on the part the club played in why GC did not know who he was.
o “Freelander2 31st March 2017 6:51pm
o He's only recently been introduced to Liam Graham after Graham Smyth made the manager aware of him!
o 60s 70s Spireite 31st March 6:55PM
o More likely Ashley has sent him the script! (aka the party line)
o Westbars Spireite 1st April 2017 1:22PM
o What an utter shambles.”
I hope this clears up some questions with regard Liam, and again if you have questions just ask him via Instagram. In the immediate future, he is aiming to be fit for the Confederations Cup if selected to represent New Zealand in Russia, against Russia, Portugal and Mexico. This would be an honour for him, and something I’m sure you as Chesterfield fans would be proud of, to have a player at the Confederations Cup, and I hope you will support him to reach that goal.
Thank you for such an informative and open post! I only wish the current people 'running' our club could be so forthright!
I like most spireites only saw your brother play on the odd occasion but when I did he acquitted himself well!
Unfortunately his injury, the lack of opportunities, contract position and the current board and management mean that I am unlikely to see him in a chesterfield shirt again but (mansfailed aside) I wish him every success for the future, wherever he ends up playing!
This post has been edited by Middle East: 27 April 2017 - 06:33 PM
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