Potentially worrying part of AP's statement, I wonder if we are alone in this.

I can't see how we'd be alone in this, in a salary cap sport all clubs will do what they can to get ahead of their competition - or indeed stay on par. I can see plenty of clubs making these payments.

I'm not very clued up on the Financial side of things though.

I would be amazed if most SL clubs don't face a similar dilemma.

My thoughts were that it would effect most clubs, Agents would know their players were getting paid this way and ask other clubs to do it. Do we know if the rule is retroactive for before 2010 ? It sounds like it might if we are looking at a significant bill.

Strange time to mention it, in the opening statement.

I thought that too. I guess he's just putting all the cards on the table.

[url=http://www.umbrellacompany.co.uk/employee-benefit-trust-schemes-investigated-by-the-hmrc/A brief explanation[/url

Indeed, I think he was using it to draw parallels after his comment that he's doing the same for us as Allam did for City, he's basically letting us know we have an unaccounted debt coming, but that he is on the case. It may have been this that has forced the sale, £3m is a fairly low valuation of FC, figures in excess of £5m were being discussed after we'd won the Challenge Cup, if there is a 6 figure ta bill coming maybe Kath and her co-consp, sorry I mean, directors, didn't have the apetite to pay it off so walked when they could achieve a break even.

One thing I can say for AP is that he will tell us the truth, even if we don't like what he has to say. When I spoke with him for the first time many years ago he was very keen to remove some of the duplication between FC an City, Marketing, Commercial etc. It may be we become closer aligned with City in these respects, and I don't fear that in any way, his relationship woth the Allams could actually be a positive, I do know he felt that Trish Goldsmith was "playing at being a CEO", he seems to have faith in James (although who knows what conditions of sale Kath put on her shares).

One thing is for certain, I'm way more optimistic about Hull FC today than I was yesterday.

Umbrella companies eh

Yeah as you say - he is an upfront and honest guy. My dad met with him probably around the same time as you did through HISA and says exactly the same

Maybe thats why the Allams have stumped up the cash for Rovers - maybe they are also facing this liability that could have pushed them over the edge.

The Allams v Pearson - Boardroom battles...........exciting stuff!