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SAS CLUBS FRIGHTENED BY WAGE CRISIS?
McALLISTER THE ONLY PLAYER TO MOVE!

The crisis surrounding the announcement of player wages and player signing-on-fee's from Season Three/S3 appears to have kicked in with some serious venom.

After the Soccer All Stars Executive Board announced that the transfer embargo was to be lifted yesterday, only one player switched clubs.

35-year-old Gary McAllister signed for Division One side Middlesbrough in a deal worth £1.35 million.  The Scotsman, thought to be picking up around £20,000 per week, left Blackburn Rovers after featuring for them for the last time over the weekend.

It was estimated that up to 100 transfers were close to be completed once the embargo was lifted, but since the announcement of player wages, clubs have apparently decided they do not want to risk spending huge amounts on players that will cost them a bomb in wages from next season.

New Middlesbrough manager Quentin LeRoy decided to take the risk in bringing McAllister to the Riverside Stadium in their bid to beat the drop.  Should they fail to stay in the most lucrative Division in the land, they face a mammoth task paying their wage bill as they face to lose a lot of money in prize money from relegation.

McAllister 35, has featured in the Soccer All Stars league just thirteen times, scoring twice in the process.  The hard-working midfield man cost Rovers a hefty £2.25 million, but since his arrival has failed to command a regular spot in the side, which has prompted his sale.

Blackburn manager Kristoffer Portersson gave McAllister his last run out against Everton at the weekend, where he helped the side to a creditable 1-1 draw over then, the league leaders.

Many Middlesbrough fans are questioning the signing and the ambition of the club.  With McAllister on the books, he will have to fight with the likes of Patrik Vieira and Allan Nielson for a place in the first-team.

One fan said:  "All credit to the manager for having his own ideas, but it looks as though we are already looking to build a Division Two side.  We need to be battling to stay up, and if we go down, we need better players to get us back up.  Macca is a great professional, but he's not what we're looking for surely."

Another disgruntled fan said:  "I can't believe we have wasted all this money on an ageing professional.  For the amount he picks up in wages, we could have got someone for less, and at a better price.  I am not sure what's going on, but I hope the manager knows what he's doing."

McAllister spoke of his move by saying: "I knew the deal had been agreed before the match at the weekend.  I was delighted that Blackburn Rovers gave me the opportunity to say goodbye.  I've been disappointed with the way things turned out and I wish the club well in the future."

McAllister also spoke of his delight at returning to the big time.  He said: "Joining a club as big as Middlesbrough and knowing I have the chance of playing at a higher level again has fueled my enthusiasm once more.  I feel like a little kid again - I just wish I was five years younger."

Despite only one transfer being completed so far, ScreamKing, the Development Director of Soccer All Stars said:  "I am sure clubs are still locked in negotiations.  Transfers are likely to pick up very quickly again and I'm sure within a day or so, we'll see quite a few big name moves."

It's believed that clubs who had originally pre-arranged deals, have since gone back and discussed and re-negotiated further.  With players looking to get as much money as they possibly can, it's important for the managers and club's to be ready.  However, nobody could have expected that with a day gone, only one player in the entire league has moved clubs.

Recently several clubs have announced deals, including Marc Overmars proposed £12 million move to Tottenham Hotspur, which has yet to be completed, and Manchester United have announced a feast of changes in personnel, but again, no players have been officially registered at their new clubs.

ScreamKing commented on this by saying:  "It's possible that club's have not submitted their transfer forms, or are awaiting the other club to submit their's.  There's always the possibility that a glitch has arose too.  If any forms do not match up, it will delay the deal."