Unpaid Players Go Back to 1980s

[The Great DonTalon]

Some of the legends of West Indies cricket still await payment from the West Indies Cricket Board for monies promised to them since 1983.

Champions including Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Clive Lloyd, Joel Garner and Michael Holding are still awaiting payment for retainer contracts they signed 21 years ago.

The players and the then West Indies Cricket Board of Control agreed to three-year deals worth US$15 000 (BDS$30 000) per year.

That would have been US$45 000 (BDS$90 000) for the period under contract. They were paid just under US$4 000 (BDS$8 000) but nothing since. They are now awaiting what’s left.

“The guys are still awaiting word from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on the monies that we are due,” said one former player.

“One of the key ways to keep a team together would be to offer retainers, but you saw what happened back then so one can’t be too sure.”

Efforts have been made over the last 12 months to get information on the matter, but little has been forthcoming. The matter was lodged in court in 1989 but not much has been done on the issue.

Yesterday, the WICB indicated through its communications department: “To the best of our knowledge that matter has long been settled.”

Another former player who signed, responded angrily and said: “Nothing has been settled; we never received the payments.”

Back in 1983 the players were offered the retainers when the so-called rebel team were visiting South Africa under the apartheid regime. Reports indicated that the “rebels” were being offered in excess of US$100 000 (BDS$200 000) for their services.

“The board was trying to safeguard the services of the players and offers were made. Even though US$45 000 is somewhat less than US$100 000, players felt compelled on moral grounds to stay with the West Indies team and not make the trip to South Africa,” a source said.

A third player, who also requested anonymity, recalled that during the period when they were asked to sign the contracts, governments across the region promised to take care of the finances.

“I believe after that only one govrenment came forward and played its part,” he noted. “It says a lot about how they treated us back then. We were the ones bringing glory to everyone and no one looked at us.

“Guess they thought we could handle ourselves so well, that they didn’t need to look out for us. But now govenrments and everyone else is jumping behind the present dispute to look after everyone,” he said in reference to the dispute between WICB and West Indies Players’ Association

[Occasional Fan]

This is outrageous. If I were Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Clive Lloyd, Joel Garner or Michael Holding, I wouldn't play any more.

[Beny]

Ohhh I dont know OF, if the current problems continue they might be needed.

[Ernest]

yep Beny you should know, you may have to bring back Lilee and Thompson next year

[Zainub]

Good one Erne!

[Beny]

Originally Posted by Ern

yep Beny you should know, you may have to bring back Lilee and Thompson next year

This from a team who's next best seamer is still Gough or Caddick?

[Ernest]

Oh god Rachaels converted Beny now