Re: Jordan Lilley : Sun May 12, 2019 12:18 pm  

HamsterChops wrote:

Exactly correct. On the face it sounds crazy, but apparently it's nothing to do with Leeds' timing, it's to do with RFL deadlines. Same as the anti-tampering rule is supposed to stop clubs talking to contracted players until May of the year they expire, contract extensions have to be told to the player around the same time.

Otherwise Leeds could just not tell Lilley his contract isn't being extended, and then it stops him being able to talk to anyone else until he gets released in November. Or they let him talk to people now, he agrees to join someone else, then Leeds invoke their extra year option and scupper it.

Why leave it until the last possible week though? The decision not to retain him was likely made many moons ago and anyone with even the slightest bit of foresight would have broken the news to Jordan as soon as the two clubs were drawn together in the cup just to get it out of the way.

Re: Jordan Lilley : Sun May 12, 2019 2:06 pm  

Nothus wrote:

Why leave it until the last possible week though? The decision not to retain him was likely made many moons ago and anyone with even the slightest bit of foresight would have broken the news to Jordan as soon as the two clubs were drawn together in the cup just to get it out of the way.

If I was in that position, I wouldn't make it formal until the last possible moment. Let's say they tell him in February and then he hits a massive run of amazing form. They may then want to change their mind and retain him for next year. You leave your options open until you absolutely can't anymore, especially when it doesn't affect this season one way or the other.

Re: Jordan Lilley : Sun May 12, 2019 4:34 pm  

To me the key point is that he found out from his agent . He had been recruited as a youngster, been through all the age groups and was part of the first team squad. When he started playing in that first team you could tell how proud he was to represent his hometown club .
Not to have the class / basic human decency to tell a loyal player face to face perhaps says something about the current culture at Leeds.

Re: Jordan Lilley : Sun May 12, 2019 4:38 pm  

Bullnorthern wrote:

To me the key point is that he found out from his agent . He had been recruited as a youngster, been through all the age groups and was part of the first team squad. When he started playing in that first team you could tell how proud he was to represent his hometown club .
Not to have the class / basic human decency to tell a loyal player face to face perhaps says something about the current culture at Leeds.

Yeah that is something that doesn't sit well. I saw someone say it's like getting dumped via a text message. If it's true about the agent thing, that is pretty classless by Leeds and I can't think it will have gone down all that well with any friends he has at the club either.

Re: Jordan Lilley : Mon May 13, 2019 8:16 am  

To be fair, the likely reason he's been told via his agent is that his agent was likely the first to know simply by doing their job and speaking to the Leeds club about a new contract as his current deal was expiring.

[Bullseye]

Re: Jordan Lilley : Mon May 13, 2019 8:26 am  

roofaldo2 wrote:

To be fair, the likely reason he's been told via his agent is that his agent was likely the first to know simply by doing their job and speaking to the Leeds club about a new contract as his current deal was expiring.

Perhaps but a courtesy call in person to the player would've been a classier way to operate. It would've only taken about 5-10 mins.

As it is it doesn't seem that Jordan bears any grudges, his interviews before and after were very professional. He did the talking on the pitch where it really matters.

[Bulliac]

Re: Jordan Lilley : Mon May 13, 2019 12:30 pm  

Nothus wrote:

Why leave it until the last possible week though? The decision not to retain him was likely made many moons ago and anyone with even the slightest bit of foresight would have broken the news to Jordan as soon as the two clubs were drawn together in the cup just to get it out of the way.

To be fair to Leeds, they've been going through a crisis period over last season and into this one with the coaches roundabout they've been through, along with the fact that the head coach is usually instrumental in recruitment and retention decisions then it's not totally surprising that they've let things slide somewhat.