LAST UPDATE | 19 Jul 2018
BRAY WANDERERS’ PLAYERS have halted strike action “for the time being”, after confirming they have received payment for missing wages which were owed from June.
The Wicklow outfit stated that outstanding wages were being processed on Thursday having left their squad without payment since 25 May.
Manager Martin Russell departed the club last night, and the top flight’s bottom-placed side are scheduled to face Bohemians at Dalymount Park tomorrow evening.
Strike action looked to be on the cards with a home match against champions Cork City next up on Friday 27 July, however the fixture now looks set to go ahead.
“We are pleased to announce that we have finally been paid our wages for last month,” Brays’ players said in a statement released via the PFAI on Thursday evening.
Bray Wanderers players pictured with @PFAIOfficial Ollie Cahill who were training in The Bluebell Club yesterday amidst all of the clubs concerns this week. A great bunch of lads which we hope get their futures sorted soon. 💙🛎⚽️ #TheBell pic.twitter.com/V30y57kA7f
— Bluebell United FC (@BluebellUnited) July 18, 2018
“As a result, we have agreed to halt strike action for the time being. However, we have not been provided with any comfort or certainty about any future payments.
“Our next monthly payment is due next week and if it, or any subsequent payments for the duration of the season, are not honoured as they fall due, it will be necessary to reconsider our position.
“We simply cannot endure another period of uncertainty. In those circumstances, the last resort option of going on strike would be back on the table. We sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that.
“We would like to thank PFA Ireland for the leadership shown throughout this difficult period. We would also like to thank Denis Hynes of SIPTU and all the supporters of Bray Wanderers and to all of our fellow players throughout the league for their support and solidarity over the last number of weeks.
“We now look forward to returning to playing football and trying to keep our club Bray Wanderers in the Premier Division.”
Safe to to say we would have been lost without the help of the @PFAIOfficial in this whole process. Can’t thank them enough. Hugely important for all Loi players. https://t.co/tN7qyKt9xR
— Paul O'Conor (@pauloconor10) July 19, 2018
Bray’s players have been training with Leinster Senior League club Bluebell United and PFAI player executive Ollie Cahill this week.
In a statement released earlier today, the Seagulls apologised to players and promised that the outstanding payments are imminent thanks to the help of the FAI.
“Bray Wanderers FC can confirm that outstanding monies owed to players will be processed today (Thursday, 19 July) after working closely with the Football Association of Ireland,” the statement read.
The club wishes to apologise to the players for this extended period in finalising monies owed. While the club accepts full responsibility for contractual obligations not being met on time, we have worked hard, to resolve the matter.
“The club would like to thank the FAI for their constant involvement in working to resolve what has been an unfortunate period for all involved. The club are getting closer to finding a solution to fulfill all players’ wages for the remainder of the 2018 SSE Airtricity League season.”
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