War of words hots up

Gordon Taylor has a war of words to win

The battle lines are firmly drawn in a war in which the main weapons are the effective soundbite and the quotable quote.

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor fired the opening salvo on 15 September when he described the offer from the Premiership and the Football League as "derisory."

Since then, the war of words has increased in intensity as the two sides jostle for position in the countdown to the first strike by professional footballers.

The players poll of 9 November marked a point of no return, as 99% of players balloted supported strike action.

In some ways a strike would suit me. I could save a lot of money

George Reynolds

With such a massive mandate, Taylor said: "The Premier League may think we are just sabre-rattling, but we mean business."

Some of the confrontational language has hardly been suited to get the two sides back around the table.

Chelsea chairman Ken Bates' contribution was typically outspoken.

"If the PFA can afford to buy a £2m Lowry painting and invest in Bobby Charlton's soccer schools, why do they need any more money - if indeed, anything at all?"

Darlington chairman George Reynolds claimed: "In some ways, a strike would suit me.

"I would save a lot of money and get on with building our new stadium."

With television income at the heart of an increasingly bitter dispute, Arsenal chairman David Dein sounded a warning note on the effects of a srike.

Ken Bates' contribution was typically controversial

"Quite clearly, if football is off the air for long enough, it would jeopardise the broadcasting contract," said Dein.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale echoed: "If the current TV contract gets torn up, all current contracts with players will have to be torn up."

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "It is a little bit of a myth, and we need to absolutely nail the fact, that there is no right to 5% or any percentage of our TV money.

Charlton Athletic chief executive Peter Varney exposed details of the PFA's finances, saying: "The facts are that the union has assets of £17.5million and made a profit of £2million last year.

"The amount they spent on looking after former and current members was £766,000."

But the players appear equally determined to make their stand, with Arsenal skipper Tony Adams putting their case.

They should go out and get a proper job

David Gold

"The money is not for me but I am the sort of player who might have to strike for everyone to sit up and take notice.

"It's so youngsters - and 75% of them are out of the game by the age of 21 - can get re-education funding.

"Gary Lewin, the Arsenal and England physiotherapist, would not be a physio today if the PFA hadn't funded him. So, yes, I am going to strike."

Attitudes are hardening, summed up by Birmingham chairman David Gold.

"They don't need help from the union when their career finishes.

"They should just go out and get a proper job."