Blog: Rumours and football agents

Yep, lots of rumours flying around day after day, yet still we await our first arrival of the summer, writes blogger Jarrod Hill.

By being promoted automatically we all assumed it would prove to be an advantage on beating the rush for new signings, I presume Mowbray has his targets, I presume Peace has been given them, I kind of presumed we would have seen some kind of progression by now.

The on-going saga regarding Gera, Phillips, and Albrechsten could be acting as a distraction, and I wrote last week that Peace has a lot on his plate at the moment, but the fear for us fans is the possibility of missing out on key targets.

I understand there is no rush, it is a long summer, and there has been little transfer activity in general, and once the merry go round starts I am sure we will see some major activity. It is still unclear as to how much money Mowbray will be allowed to spend and it is probably a sensible approach to take when moving into a market place known for high pressure dealings, dealings very often centred around agents.

Football agents have become the focal point for many fans worries after several high profile cases, chairmen hate them and fans hate them, and the ever-increasing influence these people seem to have over the world of football today is unhealthy.

To become a football agent is now a very simple process, you make an application to the FA, you then take an exam that consists of 20 multiple choice questions, and if you fail the first time you can take it again straight away, once passed all you then need is indemnity insurance. Once all of this is complete you receive your licence, previously agents had to provide a monetary bond, but they don't anymore.

Until I checked, I had no idea how easy it was to become an integral part of professional football, and more importantly, these people are instrumental in guiding our young players through their careers.

I have no doubts there are many reputable agents who are honest and have the best interests of their clients at heart, however when the qualifying criteria is so easy, you can also appreciate that many opportunists will see a way of making money with no regards for football clubs, fans, or even their clients.

We keep hearing how Platini wants to tidy up the world of football, I suggest he takes a look at the system to which we allow applicants to become football agents, after all they have as much a part to play in the development of players careers as mangers and coaches.

On a different note, I hope to see many of you tonight down at the Vine, I will be there from 7pm, we also have an Express and Star photographer joining us so I have had to have a bath and it aye even Sunday!!!

I am easy to spot 6ft 1, daft looking, with tattoos, Terrywalsallbaggie is the one who looks like George Clooney, Happy Baggie will be in the corner with his crayons, and wbaforever will be the one filling in his football agent application form!!!!

See you later!!