Tim Clancy: 'We aren’t in the position to go and compete with clubs that are paying massive wages'

Tim Clancy has questioned the sustainability of the “massive, massive wages” on offer in the Premier Division.

The League of Ireland transfer window closes next weekend, although free agents may be signed until the end of August.

Clancy’s Cork City side are actively recruiting for a likely Premier Division return next season but have yet to make a signing due to wages “going through the roof”.

“It’s not easy where we are sitting at the minute. Players do not want to come down and play in the First Division,” he said.

“You have conversations with players that you would like to sign but we have to be realistic with where we’re at.

“I think the wages that are being paid in the Premier Division at the minute are gone through the roof. You would question the sustainability of that over a long-term period.

“You have clubs that are nowhere near European positions paying two, two-and-a-half, three grand a week to players that won’t be able to get Europe next season.

“No player is going to go to a different job and say, ‘For the next six months, I’m going to take half a wage to go somewhere else’.

“This is our livelihood, our career, so you can’t expect players to take pay cuts to come to Cork City for six months and then go back onto Premier Division wages when we’re back in the Premier Division. That’s where we’re at.

“We aren’t in the position to go and compete with clubs that are paying massive, massive wages which is happening in the Premier Division.” Clancy believes signings, whether they arrive this month or in the off-season, are necessary to support a core of emerging young talents.

“If it happens in the next eight days, brilliant. If it doesn’t, we’re actively looking for next season anyway.

“If you look at the Premier Division, there’s a big, big step up to that level. You have to recruit really well.

“We have a lot of players that are going to improve in the next 12-18 months in regards to age profile, athleticism, strength, and they’re going to need help with signings should we get up to the Premier Division.” Clancy would love to retain midfielder Seán Murray, whose loan from Glentoran is due to expire at the end of this month.

“We’re waiting to hear from Glentoran. The ball’s been in their court for months and months now so we don’t know what the story is there.

“If we could get Muzz on a permanent contract or on loan or whatever it is until the end of the season, it’d certainly be welcome because he’s been an unbelievable addition to the squad this year.” 

City marched into Tuesday’s FAI Cup third-round draw with Malik Dijksteel’s first goal of the season clinching a second successive 1-0 victory over Finn Harps.