Cash row in junior soccer circles

Brian Gordon said he was powerless to stop key players leaving the Lurgan side.

"Rumours have been flying around in Mid-Ulster League circles that a lot of cash is floating around but everyone seemed powerless to stop it." Hill Street has lost five players in what the chairman said was a bombshell for the club who had only managed to avoid relegation in the previous season.

Brian was irate at what he termed illegal incentives being dangled in front of his players.

"It's time someone went on this as it could eventually ruin the junior game," said Brian.

Team manager Billy McKinley was also angry at the whole affair and felt loyalty with some players "had gone right out the window".

John Brown of the Mid-Ulster League said that so far talk of cash changing hands was only rumour and he was sceptical of the claims.

However, he sounded a firm warning to clubs who deal in cash. "I hear constantly of these rumours and if we do hear anything concrete or get the proof we need that particular offending team will be hammered," he declared.

"No team," he said, "was prepared to come forward with proof, but if they did it would be dealt with."

Meanwhile Brian Gordon assured Hill Street followers that the loss of so many players did not mean the club was down and out.

"Far from it, we had a number of good players coming along and they will be given their chance," he said.