Conor Grant caught in aborted loan fiasco

Sunday, 28 January, 2018 41comments  |  Jump to most recent

Under-23s midfielder Conor Grant has seen a proposed loan move to Plymouth Argyle fall through due to an oversight by Everton.

Grant was due to make the temporary switch to the southwest last week, with Argyle manager Derek Adams expecting him to be available for their match against Oldham.

It was discovered that Grant is ineligible to play for Plymouth, having already turned out of Crewe Alexandra, where he was on loan earlier this season, and Everton's U23s side.

FIFA rules prohibit players from representing more than two clubs per season and, after making 18 appearances for Crewe and playing a solitary game for the Blues in the Checkatrade Trophy in August against Notts County (despite being an U23s fixture, it counted under FIFA rules as a first-team match because of the Football League opposition), Grant cannot join a third team.

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Adams admitted Plymouth's role in the mix-up but was critical of Everton's mistake which deprived him of a player he was hoping to sign.

“It was an oversight and the football management team have got to take full responsibility," Adams said. “Ourselves and Everton. They obviously knew he had played in the Checkatrade Trophy and had been out on loan.

“We knew the rules, but we didn't know he had played that one game in the Checkatrade Trophy.”

Grant, 22, is out of contract at Everton in the summer.

 

Reader Comments (41)

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Bill Watson
1 Posted 28/01/2018 at 17:03:39
I've just been reading about this fiasco surrounding Conor Grant's proposed loan move to Plymouth.

You really couldn't make this stuff up. What, on earth, does our very highly paid Director of Football actually do?

Jack Convery
2 Posted 28/01/2018 at 18:01:04
The Conor Grant fiasco tells you all you need to know about how our club is run or not run – totally unprofessional from top to bottom. Clueless scouting players, clueless on the marketing front, clueless in the boardroom and clueless in coaching and clueless on the field. The Clue is the word CLUELESS - SACK THE BOARD!!!
Rob Halligan
3 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:01:31
It's all in here Peter

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/everton-criticised-role-bizarre-transfer-14212597

Peter Gorman
4 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:07:36
Thanks Rob – though what the hell is the Checkatrade Trophy and why does it count as a first-team appearance?
Rob Halligan
5 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:13:32
I think it replaced the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, and Premier League teams were invited to participate in it with their U23s only. So I've got no idea why it's classified as a first team appearance?
Peter Gorman
6 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:20:19
Ah, here is the thread.

Absolutely bizarre to consider representing the U23s in a tin-pot trophy counts as an appearance for 'the first team' but surely the club should have been aware of the rules.

Steve Cotton
7 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:20:58
This is EFC after all...
Michael Kenrick
8 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:29:42
Exactly, Peter. And possibly another dagger in the heart of this controversial competition, which pits lower-league first teams against the Premier League's Under-23 sides.

As I recall, there was a big stink kicked up by the Football League sides in the first year of this competition last season. I need to root around and find some links, as I can't remember the details.

In a way it's a pity because it goes to the heart of the efforts to make the old 'reserves' football – now called "Development" football – more competitive for the up-and-coming mostly English young players on the books of clubs like Everton. This was meant to pit them against real first-team professionals in a full-blown first-team competition – think Barcelona B team.

Obviously up for debate as to how successful that is, especially with so many of our U23s going out on loan anyway... to supposedly play in lower-league first teams.

Rob Halligan
9 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:33:18
I think the Checkatrade Trophy replaced the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, and Premier League teams were invited to participate with their U23s only, so in effect their reserve team. Just because they played a lower league's first team shouldn't constitute as being classed as a first-team appearance for Everton. I can see Premier League teams pulling out of this competition next season because of this ridiculous rule.
Michael Kenrick
10 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:42:12
Hmmm... explains something that puzzled me which was why these games were indeed being counted as 'first-team' appearances in the stats records for our players. (I guess you can't have it both ways if you're a football bureaucrat.)

Sites such as Soccerbase and Transfermarkt both count up these appearances, and when our players are on the field, it's the only time I believe that they wear their full squad numbers, as we list on our Squad page.

Peter Gorman
11 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:44:41
I kind of liked the idea of the U23s facing the rough-and-tumble of hairy-faced, competitive football but for it to qualify as first team football will probably see upper-tier clubs loathe to participate, as Rob and Michael say. Maybe that's the idea as I'm sure the lower clubs (somewhat understandably) resented the intrusion.

Seems farcical; are Notts County now claiming the Everton scalp?

I hope he didn't also appear in the Liverpool Senior Cup or FIFA will come down on us like a ton of bricks.

Hugh Jenkins
12 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:57:59
Playing for two teams previously didn't affect the transfers of Mascherano and Tevez some years back to Liverpool and ... (I can't recall for certain where Tevez went at the time) from West Ham.

However, given that Gosling was allowed to exploit a contract loophole some years ago and now this happens, one must wonder if, whoever is responsible for these matters at EFC, is truly up to the job?

Surely, someone knows and understands these rules, if not, I am sure the members of this board will be more than happy to develop a flow chart for them.

Christian Watson
13 Posted 28/01/2018 at 19:58:50
Unfortunately, I'm not surprised.
Rick Pattinson
14 Posted 28/01/2018 at 20:00:42
Shame... could've done with him in Plymouth. He would have gained a lot down here.
Jack Convery
15 Posted 28/01/2018 at 20:14:10
Beware of cock-ups... We are Everton.
Colin Glassar
16 Posted 28/01/2018 at 20:21:25
After the Gosling Affair, anything is possible at a club run by a bunch of clowns.
Barry Williams
17 Posted 28/01/2018 at 20:31:49
If the FA had just stuck with the Central League and had Under-23s, Under-18s etc, we wouldn't have this fiasco and it would benefit everybody.

However, and I have seen it in companies I have worked in, people have to justify their position/job and salaries by changing things that do not need changing.

Alan McGuffog
18 Posted 28/01/2018 at 20:35:00
Everton Football Club fiasco? Balls up? Shurely shome mishtake?
Dermot Byrne
19 Posted 28/01/2018 at 21:07:38
Oh get a grip. This is something that was clearly an error and probably one many have made... and if not, could make.

Tom Dodds
22 Posted 28/01/2018 at 22:16:38
What do we want?
Kenwright, Elstone, Woods out!
When do we want it?
Fuckin’ right now.
Jim Wilson
23 Posted 28/01/2018 at 22:20:51
Just another reason why you can't trust the thick people running Everton with anything. Ground move – no thanks, not with this administration. Horrendously dangerous!
Sean Kelly
24 Posted 28/01/2018 at 22:50:10
Jim. Ground move? Feck lad, I just got stitches in, don't make me laugh. When we move to Bramley-Moore, they will have forgotten to drain the dock, claiming "someone else's responsibility".
Keith Harrison
25 Posted 28/01/2018 at 22:54:56
Is anyone seriously surprised???
Gordon Crawford
26 Posted 28/01/2018 at 23:29:41
Laurel and Hardy could have run this club better. Don't care the reasons, this should never have happened. Amateur Hour from our club yet again.
Derek Thomas
29 Posted 29/01/2018 at 00:12:28
Colin @ 25; Laurel & Hardy ARE running the Club, with help from The 3 Stooges and The Keystone Cops...I'm not sure who is who though, is Kenwright Laurel or Hardy.
Jack Convery
30 Posted 29/01/2018 at 00:30:01
This error is symptomatic of all that is wrong at EFC. We are a joke of a club run by people who wouldn't last 5 minutes in any other business.

We pay too much for players because we have no idea how to negotiate. The players we do end up buying have been, by and large a disaster, especially given the fees involved.

Any other board would have sacked Walsh for gross incompetence but not us. No, we even asked Walsh who he would recommend as Manager. I wouldn't have asked him to recruit a cleaner for Finch Farms toilets as he'd fuck that up as well.

Then there's the Stadium Saga. As any self respecting Norwegian RS fan would tell you Sagas are long drawn out stories with an ending. This saga has never had an ending. Arsenal have a new stadium; Spurs are getting one built as we speak; United have added extra capacity and so have the RS. Sunderland ffs have a new stadium!

We don't have a brick laid yet and how long have EFC said they wanted a new stadium? Too bloody long without getting one built. I remember voting eons ago for a new stadium. I'm not going to hold my breath on it being built in the near future as I can't hold my breath that long.

Then there's marketing – it's a joke. Recruitment of a manager, again a joke. I imagined Unsworth's missus saying to him, after every game "Are you doing it again next week, David?" and him replying, "How the fuck would I know?"

EFC – Everton Forever Crap (at everything).

I appeal to all season ticket holders –don't renew your tickets until something is done to rid us of the ineptitude ruining the club we all love.

Julian Wait
34 Posted 29/01/2018 at 04:26:10
Our performances this season have been a series of fiascos. This, this is nothing but a mere trifle.
Andy Codling
35 Posted 29/01/2018 at 04:49:59
Everton could fuck a boiled egg up so no surprise here!
Ernie Baywood
36 Posted 29/01/2018 at 06:35:59
Poor on our behalf but will have a bigger general impact on the tournament next year. The U23s will turn into academy players for this trophy – teams won't risk this happening to them.
Peter Anthony
37 Posted 29/01/2018 at 07:02:07
It does seem bizarre that, counting an under 23 game as if it was the first team. He is not Tony Grant of course.
Brian Williams
39 Posted 29/01/2018 at 09:10:34
Jack (#30).

Are you not going to renew yours?

Derek Knox
41 Posted 29/01/2018 at 09:58:29
Another Walsh masterstroke, how can this guy retain his position after so many poor dealings in and out in the transfer/loan market?

Admittedly, there were cock-ups before he arrived, but they seem to have multiplied since his appointment, and when we at last got every Club supporter's wish, the money has been mainly proliferated.

Brent Stephens
42 Posted 29/01/2018 at 12:08:04
Yes, Dave, I pray for a left-back signing urgently. Not confident, though. I admire Martina's dedication to the cause, playing so far out of his natural position. But just imagine what a decent left-back could add, not only to defence, but more so on the attack.
Tony J Williams
43 Posted 29/01/2018 at 12:45:34
Why is it just Everton's fault?

Surely the Plymouth Argyle team must take 50% of the blame, if not more?

It's them who have asked for the player on loan (unless we have put his name out there for loan deals) and haven't done their homework correctly.

Steve Carse
44 Posted 29/01/2018 at 13:25:37
I couldn't have seen Joe Royle overlooking this rule if he was still in charge of loanees alongside Unsworth. Obviously the void he left behind has not been filled, or at least not satisfactorily.
Jon Withey
46 Posted 29/01/2018 at 13:31:40
Stinks of laziness really, doesn't it?
David Barks
47 Posted 29/01/2018 at 13:34:05
Tony,

Really? Did you not bother to actually read what happened? Plymouth knew he had been on loan, but weren't aware that he had played a match in the Checkatrade Trophy. In what world do you expect another club to know every detail about one of Everton's youngsters? Also, Plymouth said they accept some of the blame, but Everton should be more aware of whether one of their players is eligible before offering him to another club.

Here is how that conversation should have gone if Everton weren't run like a third rate business.

Plymouth: “We'd be interested in taking Connor Grant on loan for the second half of the season after his loan spell is up.”

Everton : “Sorry, he's not eligible to go to another club for the rest of the season after playing in the Checkatrade Trophy and then being out on loan.”

Plymouth: “Oh, didn't know he had played in the Checkatrade, that's too bad. Thanks.”

With any successful organization or person, it's not how you do the big things that is all that matters. It's the little details, how you do the little things. How much attention you pay to every detail is what adds up to being successful at the difficult things. This fiasco isn't irrelevant when analyzing how this club is run.

Dave Pritchard
48 Posted 29/01/2018 at 14:57:12
This feels like a storm in a tea cup.
Len Hawkins
49 Posted 29/01/2018 at 15:50:13
Everybody is blaming Everyone from Moshiri to the Deputy Assistant Toffee Lady for the cock up.

I would have thought the Club Secretary is the one who should know each and every player's availability.

Geoff Evans
50 Posted 29/01/2018 at 17:39:47
I just bloody dispair. Joke
Jamie Evans
52 Posted 29/01/2018 at 17:53:44
Don't believe this for a minute.

Next, our Manager will be telling us we don't need a new left-back.


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