'Cash-flow problem' delays Palace wages again

Published on Tuesday 1 December 2009 21:34

CRYSTAL Palace manager Neil Warnock insists chairman Simon Jordan has the full backing of everyone at Selhurst Park despite the players and staff not having received their salaries on time for the second month in a row.

Warnock revealed yesterday morning that Jordan has a short-term "cash-flow problem" which has delayed the wages, and the Coca-Cola Championship club's players were informed after Saturday's win against Watford.

They expect to receive their salaries in full within ten days and, despite the same thing happening last month, Warnock claims there is no animosity towards Jordan.

"The chairman's got a cash-flow problem at the moment which should be over in about ten days time," he said. "He told me on Friday last week and consequently I decided to tell the players after the game. I didn't think it was right talking before the game.

"We had a meeting after the game and they were supportive like I am. With what has happened in life in general you're going to get bits and bobs, and he deserves our support.

"He has supported us over the years and put many millions in so I think that's the least he deserves."

John Oster, who left the club in the summer for Doncaster, has claimed he and three other former Palace players – Shefki Kuqi, Paul Ifill and James Scowcroft – are still waiting for money they are owed from the final month of their contracts.

Palace find themselves under a transfer embargo once again, with a month to go until the transfer window reopens. Warnock, who has been at Selhurst Park for two years and is a close friend of Jordan, believes their current difficulties will serve to make them stronger.

He continued: "We're still on an embargo at the moment, but, in football in general, you've got to really tighten your belts at the minute.

"I know the chairman has told me many a time over the past few years he wishes he was in a situation where he gave one or two of the previous managers quite a lot of money. But it's not like that. I think we rally round now; we are together.

"It's difficult – difficult for me as well – but the players have been fantastic, and if you saw the commitment that they've shown the last few weeks to say we can't bring players in… well we've got seven players out on loan, a couple of long-term injuries…

"It's remarkable really – everyone's doing their job, and, if anything, the problems have brought us closer together."