Boss reflects on Football League Tribunal...
SADDLERS’ boss, Dean Smith, has reflected upon The Football League Tribunal which has ordered Brentford to pay an initial £325,000 compensation for Will Grigg.As well as the initial fee, we are due £30,000 for every 20 competitive first-team games he plays up to a maximum of 100 (i.e. £150,000).
The Bees will have to pay £50,000 if promotion to The Championship is achieved and £250,000 if promotion to the Premier League is secured.
There will also be a 20% sell-on clause if Grigg is transferred from Brentford to another club.
“We were given a fair hearing where we put our case across well,” he said. “I was disappointed that we didn’t get nearer to our valuation, but we put a strong case together based on how we developed him and came out with a fee that could add up to £500,000.
“My own irk about the situation is that it’s taken until now to decide a fee and with the Transfer Window shut we are unable to do anything until January.
“The money will also enable us to secure existing players on longer deals and allow us to invest in the future of the club by developing the facilities for those youngsters coming through.
“We know that we’ve got a system that works here, but at the same time there is always room for improvement and we have the finances to allow us to do that.”