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Liam Graham Questions and Rumours Addressed

#1 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 02:12 PM

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.
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#2 User is offline   danblue 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 02:22 PM

Unfortunately I'm not on Instagram.
I've seen Liam play and he looked a good player.
Is he contracted for next season with us?
Is Caldwell up to speed on who he is now?
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#3 User is online   The Earl of Chesterfield 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 02:27 PM

Didn't LG arrive over the summer of 2015? So perhaps you'll tell us which other two teams he was already registered for at that time.

As for the introductions and connections to which you refer, not to mention costs incurred and cheques changing hands, my understanding is that an individual occupying a high profile position at the Club is currently telling a somewhat different story...

This post has been edited by MDCCCLXVI: 27 April 2017 - 02:32 PM

Spanish proverb: 'Pessimists are just well informed optimists'
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#4 User is offline   Ashgate Spireite 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 02:33 PM

I'm glad this is a thing. It's nice to have someone actually tell us what's going on. Thank you
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#5 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:02 PM

 danblue, on 27 April 2017 - 02:22 PM, said:

Unfortunately I'm not on Instagram.
I've seen Liam play and he looked a good player.
Is he contracted for next season with us?
Is Caldwell up to speed on who he is now?


No Liam is not contracted for next season but hopes to remain at the club. Caldwell does now know who he is and wants to see him play in pre-season before making a decision on him as far as I know.
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#6 User is offline   dim view 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:03 PM

 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 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.

Thanks A.G. A very welcome post.
I think it will be dissected very carefully over the next few days.
Just to clarify....
1. My reference to flights to the Middle East concerns those made by Chris Turner (and his missus).

2. I may be wrong but I believe there have been specific references at meetings with CFC management to a commercial relationship between Liam and Dennis Bingham.

3. I was shown a spreadsheet containing a list of players' wages.
Get it on, bang the gong , get it on
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#7 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:13 PM

 MDCCCLXVI, on 27 April 2017 - 02:27 PM, said:

Didn't LG arrive over the summer of 2015? So perhaps you'll tell us which other two teams he was already registered for at that time.

As for the introductions and connections to which you refer, not to mention costs incurred and cheques changing hands, my understanding is that an individual occupying a high profile position at the Club is currently telling a somewhat different story...


http://www.transferm.../spieler/101658

This link shows his transfer history MDCCLXVI and the two clubs he was registered for before signing for CFC in October 2015, not the summer.

As for your other comment, all I can say is that either a) your understanding is wrong or b) if this individual is telling a different story then they are simply incorrect. I also genuinely do not know who you are alluding to.
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#8 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:18 PM

 dim view, on 27 April 2017 - 03:03 PM, said:

Thanks A.G. A very welcome post.
I think it will be dissected very carefully over the next few days.
Just to clarify....
1. My reference to flights to the Middle East concerns those made by Chris Turner (and his missus).

2. I may be wrong but I believe there have been specific references at meetings with CFC management to a commercial relationship between Liam and Dennis Bingham.

3. I was shown a spreadsheet containing a list of players' wages.


Dimview,
1. Apologies for assuming that was in reference to Liam's travel.

2. I cannot speak for what has been mentioned at CFC Management meetings, but I will say again that there is no commercial relationship between Liam and Dennis and both parties would confirm that.

3. I don't know who showed you the spreadsheet but the figure is 100% incorrect. I am privy to Liam's contracts as a professional advisor and know what his salary is and it is a lot less than the 1k quoted.

As with everything at Chesterfield there always seems to be something more going on and I can only speak from my side of Liam's relationship with the club.
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#9 User is online   Mr Mercury 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:20 PM

 A.G, on 27 April 2017 - 03:18 PM, said:

Dimview,
1. Apologies for assuming that was in reference to Liam's travel.

2. I cannot speak for what has been mentioned at CFC Management meetings, but I will say again that there is no commercial relationship between Liam and Dennis and both parties would confirm that.

3. I don't know who showed you the spreadsheet but the figure is 100% incorrect. I am privy to Liam's contracts as a professional advisor and know what his salary is and it is a lot less than the 1k quoted.

As with everything at Chesterfield there always seems to be something more going on and I can only speak from my side of Liam's relationship with the club.

How do you mean something more going on with regards to everything at CFC, would you care to enlighten us?
East stand second class citizen.
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#10 User is offline   moondog 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:27 PM

Firstly thanks for posting AG, this is helpful to us in understanding exactly what the situation is.

I have seen an extract of Chesterfield FC board meeting minutes from last September where our former CEO states Liam's wages were fully sponsored. The inference being by Royal Pearl International, Dennis Bingham's apparently fake company, are you saying Liam knew nothing of this ?

Also not many players with no first team experience at this level, get a 20 month contract on the basis of a trial and bizzarly get the manager stating he's one to develop in the reserves, which supports the belief the sponsorship is true.
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#11 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:28 PM

 Mr Mercury, on 27 April 2017 - 03:20 PM, said:

How do you mean something more going on with regards to everything at CFC, would you care to enlighten us?


I just mean that everyone seems to have a different insight/perception into the club as to what is going on - as shown by information Dimview and MDCCCLXVI among others have shared on a range of issues.
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#12 User is offline   dim view 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:34 PM

 A.G, on 27 April 2017 - 03:28 PM, said:

I just mean that everyone seems to have a different insight/perception into the club as to what is going on - as shown by information Dimview and MDCCCLXVI among others have shared on a range of issues.

Can I ask A.G.......
If you are his adviser, why did you allow him to play under somebody else's name?
Get it on, bang the gong , get it on
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#13 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:41 PM

 moondog, on 27 April 2017 - 03:27 PM, said:

Firstly thanks for posting AG, this is helpful to us in understanding exactly what the situation is.

I have seen an extract of Chesterfield FC board meeting minutes from last November where our former CEO states Liam's wages were sponsored. The inference being by Royal Pearl International, Dennis Bingham's apparently fake company, are you saying Liam knew nothing of this ?

Also not many players with no first team experience at this level, get a 20 month contract on the basis of a trial and bizzarly get the manager stating he's one to develop in the reserves, which supports the belief the sponsorship is true.


Hi Moondog, yes I am saying that if what you have said is true that Liam knew and knows nothing of it. I say 'if' as I do not know if it is true either. Bobs Board is the first I heard of any supposed sponsorship of his salary.

With regard first team experience, he had some, albeit limited, in Serie B and Serie C Uno (3rd tier Italy). On the back of that, U20 international experience and a good trial/training you could also make the case for a 20 month contract in my opinion. As for Dean Saunders comment on development, I spoke with DS before Liam signed and it was his belief that Liam would need some of that time in the reserves to acclimatize to the English games physicality and tempo having only played professionally in Spain and Italy. He did not envisage him playing in the reserves for the whole season.

I hope this offers a slight alternative view which maybe hasn't been considered. Granted I am biased on the footballing side being his brother.
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#14 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:46 PM

 dim view, on 27 April 2017 - 03:34 PM, said:

Can I ask A.G.......
If you are his adviser, why did you allow him to play under somebody else's name?


Dim View I advise on career moves and contracts etc, not specific games/gameplay.

The other side that needs to be considered is that he had just signed for a new club and wanted to impress the manager. Again, it was not Liam's decision to play under someone else's name. I also do not know when he found out this would be the case.
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#15 User is online   Mr Mercury 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:46 PM

 A.G, on 27 April 2017 - 03:46 PM, said:

Dim View I advise on career moves and contracts etc, not specific games/gameplay.

The other side that needs to be considered is that he had just signed for a new club and wanted to impress the manager. Again, it was not Liam's decision to play under someone else's name. I also do not know when he found out this would be the case.

Who's decision was it?
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#16 User is offline   whittman 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:49 PM

 dim view, on 27 April 2017 - 03:34 PM, said:

Can I ask A.G.......
If you are his adviser, why did you allow him to play under somebody else's name?

And surely the number of times he played under a different name the more chance of this being picked up by the relative authorities risking fines/and or suspension for club as well as player?

At the time the joke amongst those who went to watch the reserves was is Liam Graham playing and what name is he under this week
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#17 User is offline   moondog 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:49 PM

 A.G, on 27 April 2017 - 03:41 PM, said:

Hi Moondog, yes I am saying that if what you have said is true that Liam knew and knows nothing of it. I say 'if' as I do not know if it is true either. Bobs Board is the first I heard of any supposed sponsorship of his salary.

With regard first team experience, he had some, albeit limited, in Serie B and Serie C Uno (3rd tier Italy). On the back of that, U20 international experience and a good trial/training you could also make the case for a 20 month contract in my opinion. As for Dean Saunders comment on development, I spoke with DS before Liam signed and it was his belief that Liam would need some of that time in the reserves to acclimatize to the English games physicality and tempo having only played professionally in Spain and Italy. He did not envisage him playing in the reserves for the whole season.

I hope this offers a slight alternative view which maybe hasn't been considered. Granted I am biased on the footballing side being his brother.



Thanks for the prompt reply which is fair enough. By the way I can back up what you are saying about Liam's wages being nowhere near
that quoted on this thread. However from what I've seen Dennis Bingham was involved in Liam's loan deal to Whitehawk, albeit he wasn't recorded on the loan contract
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#18 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:53 PM

 moondog, on 27 April 2017 - 03:49 PM, said:

Thanks for the prompt reply which is fair enough. By the way I can back up what you are saying about Liam's wages being nowhere near
that quoted on this thread. However from what I've seen Dennis Bingham was involved in Liam's loan deal to Whitehawk, albeit he wasn't recorded on the loan contract


Hi Moondog,

Dennis was not involved in his loan deal to Whitehawk (although he supported the idea to get gametime), Liam's Agent arranged that (although he was not Liam's Agent at the time).
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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:55 PM

Can I ask AG.

Why?
Why have you felt the need to come on here and defend your brother when none of those points made were directly against him as far as they were examples on how badly the club was/is being run.
Its commendable what your doing but I find it more to be defending your clients honour than being a thread about how your brother has been mentioned in other threads. I saw your brother play and he could be an asset to our team by the way.
Life goes on. Whatever happens.
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#20 User is offline   A.G 

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Posted 27 April 2017 - 03:57 PM

 whittman, on 27 April 2017 - 03:49 PM, said:

And surely the number of times he played under a different name the more chance of this being picked up by the relative authorities risking fines/and or suspension for club as well as player?

At the time the joke amongst those who went to watch the reserves was is Liam Graham playing and what name is he under this week


In response to this and Mr Mercury,

I do not have all the answers, and I am not involved at Chesterfield so cannot say who made the decision or why the club would take such a risk. As for the players risk, you are a footballer and you want to prove that you're worthy of being at a new club to a new manager/you just want to play football games. I cannot speak to anything else on the topic.
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