McMANUS SET TO LEAVE AFTER CONTRACT ERROR



Paul McManus - On his way to East Fife?


PAUL McManus is almost certainly on his way out of Raith Rovers — just a month after agreeing a new two year deal to stay at the club.

In an extraordinary twist, the top scorer of the last two seasons, or someone acting on his behalf, has contacted the Scottish Football League to claim that the paperwork contains inaccurate information.

Should the SFL agree that the contract is void McManus will become a free agent and SportsPress understands that East Fife are ready with a lucrative offer to double his earnings at Raith.

Whether or not a mistake was made by the Stark's Park club, McManus' intention to have his contract terminated is apparant and Rovers are now pursuing other striking options.

Rovers chairman Dave Somerville confirmed: "Paul McManus signed a contract with Raith Rovers, but he has challenged the status of that contract.

"The Scottish Football League will consider the points that the player has made, and come to a decision over whether we've made a mistake or not.

"At that stage, the club and the player will make relevant decisions. If the league rule that Paul is a Raith player, that's what he will be, but it may be that we'll have to revisit that position.

"For a club that wants to move forward, the manager needs players that are totally committed to working with Raith Rovers."

The club refused to comment on the intense speculation that McManus is bound for New Bayview but club insiders are aware that the player has been a target of East Fife chairman Willie Gray since the ex-Rovers director moved into the Methil boardroom last year.

Somerville commented: "Paul has indicated that he's had a change of heart with regard to being with Raith Rovers and at the moment the only issue is between the player and the club.

"There is no relevance for third parties at this moment in time."

Amicably

A second unnamed Raith player was affected by the same contractual issue as McManus, but the chairman confirmed that a new contract has since been processed amicably.

"If an error has been made, the club will investigate the matter and take appropriate steps to minimise the risk of anything similar happening again," Somerville stated.

The McManus affair has led to the club delaying the announcement of any new signings until they are confirmed as registered Raith players with the SFL.

Rovers have agreed deals with Ryan Borris of Dumbarton and Alloa's Robert Sloan, and contracts have been signed, but the registration process has yet to be completed.

"Some people take a simplistic view that a player is signed once he puts pen to a piece of paper but until a player is confirmed as having registered with the SFL, they are not officially signed players," Somerville explained.

The chairman added: "As much as this is important, and we all want it sorted, I don't want this to detract from all the other things that are going on at the moment."

"We're waiting on major work being done to the playing surface to make it as good a pitch as we can for next season, John McGlynn is further advanced with the squad than in recent years, and details are being finalised for a preseason tour in mid-July.

"Also, as an insight, I walked into a meeting between John McGlynn and Gary Kirk where they were planning all the preseason training sessions including players diets.

"We're trying to be as prepared as we can for the new season, and the McManus situation should not overshadow that."
Last Updated: 24 May 2007

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It was always the case that there were 2 players, one signed an amended contract and one didn't

Please keep up.

Also see they are bumping Michael Brown, good keeper if slightly injury prone.

Heard that they had tried to forge Paul McManus signature on some form or other !!!! An x isn't hard to copy is it ?!!!!!