x

Cardiff in Cash Row - Ipswich Town News

Cardiff City, Town's final game of the season opponents, are embroiled in a cash row with their players. Midfielder Gareth Whalley is at the centre of the dispute over bonus payments.

The former Bradford and Crewe man, a good friend of ex-Blue David Johnson, would be entitled to a £50,000 bonus should he reach 23 appearances.

Whalley reached 22 when the Bluebirds faced Burnley recently at which point chairman Sam Hamman and manager Lennie Lawrence stopped playing him.

When he signed Whalley had been offered the choice of earning his bonus at a rate of £1,000 a match or in through a lump sum and chose the latter. With it now appearing he won't receive a penny, he and the rest of the squad are angry athte club's management.

Former Charlton winger John Robinson spoke out after details of Whalley's £300,000-a-year contract were leaked to the press: "It has been a difficult week for the players and especially for Gareth.

"His contract is private and its details should not be splashed across the back of newspapers.

"Anyone who sees private and personal information — salary, bonuses or anything else — in print for the public to read isn't going to like it.

"What has happened in the last week has upset the club, the players and Gareth Whalley. Gareth has got feelings and he has been put in a position where he doesn't know what to do. Of course all the players are behind him as what has happened to him is wrong."

Cardiff will also not be fielding striker Alan Lee at the weekend as one more appearance would trigger a top-up on the fee paid to Rotherham for his services earlier in the season.

Striker Robert Earnshaw is expected to wear a Cardiff shirt for the last time at Portman Road with a big money transfer likely over the summer.

Town will seal a play-off place should they beat the Bluebirds, although a draw or even a defeat might be enough should several other results go their way.

The first legs of the play-off semi-finals will be played on either Friday, May 14th or Saturday, May 15th with the sides finishing fifth and sixth at home. The second legs are set for Monday, May 17th and Tuesday, May 18th. The final at the Millennium Stadium will be played on Saturday, May 29th.

What to read next:

U21s Exit Premier League Cup as Blackburn Come From Two Down to Win
Blackburn Rovers U21s came from 2-0 down to beat their Town counterparts 3-2 after extra-time in their round-of-16 Premier League Cup tie at Portman Road this evening. The Blues were 2-0 up through Josh Lewis and Luca Fletcher but two goals from Osman Kamara either side of the break brought the Lancastrians back into it and they won it via an Aodhan Doherty penalty in the 115th minute.
Nsofor Makes Loan Move
Academy forward Jackson Nsofor has joined Isthmian League North Division Redbridge on loan.
Taylor: I Don't Think You Can Compare the Squads
Town midfielder Jack Taylor says comparisons should not be made between the Blues’ current squad and the Championship promotion-winning side from two seasons ago.
U21s in Premier League Cup Action at Portman Road
Town’s U21s are in Premier League Cup action at Portman Road this evening when they take on Blackburn Rovers in the round of 16 (KO 7pm, live on TownTV).
Thomas in Jamaica Squad
Town Women’s striker Natasha Thomas has been named in the Jamaica squad for their World Cup qualifier next month.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
U21s Midfielder Young Makes Loan Move
U21s midfielder Tyler Young has joined Isthmian League Premier Division Potters Bar Town on loan.
Women's Game Against Sheffield United Postponed
Ipswich Town Women’s WSL2 game against Sheffield United at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester this afternoon has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Hirst: It's Been Playing on My Mind
Town striker George Hirst has admitted his dry spell in front of goal has been playing on his mind, but remains confident that hard work will see the goals return sooner rather than later.