Agent unhappy with Blackwell

Ward's representative points finger at Blades boss

Last updated: 1st January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Agent unhappy with Blackwell

Blackwell: Accused

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Jamie Ward's agent has hit back at Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell following his latest slur against him.

Blackwell has accused Ward's representative, Gino Culbertson, of trying to engineer a new improved contract for the striker, with Culbertson insisting the Blades boss had promised to sit down and discuss a new improved deal with Ward last month as reward for his progress.

Blades boss Blackwell aimed a new swipe at Culbertson on Friday, telling the Yorkshire Post: "Maybe the agent is struggling for money and thinks, if he can re-negotiate another deal, he will get paid for it again. Well he won't be.

"It's not for him (the agent) to say when someone is doing well. I tell them when they are doing well.

"Agents have to learn that they have a job to do and they are not going to dictate to myself, the club, or the chairman as to who and when we give contracts to."

Culbertson is disappointed with Blackwell's criticism and has moved to put the record straight on the matter.

"In response to the comments made by Kevin Blackwell in the Yorkshire Post dated 31st December 2009, naturally, we have no desire or intention of entering into a 'slanging match' nor trade 'cheap shots' as we take this matter very seriously," Culbertson told skysports.com.

"Though I did find the comments in terms of 'struggling for money' bearing in mind the club's position, rather amusing.

"However, I am disappointed that he is again trying to turn this matter into an Agent v Club issue, which it is clearly not! But it is of course always an easy option for clubs to use. I fully appreciate we all have our jobs to do and we try do ours with both professionalism and integrity. This is about Jamie Ward not me and as always putting his best interests first and foremost!

"This matter is about fairness and honouring an agreement to renegotiate a player's contract terms, a player who by his ability, performances and attitude, has earned this right, nothing more than that. Incidentally, it is not just me saying how well Jamie has done but the club and more importantly the fans!

"Jamie Ward is very happy at the club and has great respect for both the club and the fans and wants nothing more that to be treated fairly as agreed. Also if someone is playing games, then perhaps the club need to look a little nearer to home and no doubt I am sure the fans themselves will make up their own minds on the matter.

"In conclusion, we are still hopeful of a satisfactory outcome for all parties concerned."

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