Contract victory for budding talent

Julie Gilbert • Published 8 Sep 2010 13:00

A YOUNG footballer has won an historic victory against a professional club which refused to release him from a contract first signed when he was 10-years-old.

Kieran Gibbons, from Duntocher, was prevented from playing the sport he loves while the legal battle was played out for almost a year.

Hamilton Football Club was demanding thousands of pounds for him to be released - despite the boy never having been paid a penny.

Top flight teams such as Rangers and Dundee United were willing to give him a chance but were unwilling to pay the £9,000 believed to have been demanded by Hamilton.

However, with court action imminent, Hamilton agreed to settle and released Kieran.

It is believed it could be the first time that such an agreement has been reached and may offer hope to other youngsters in similar situations.

Kieran’s dad Willie, 50, said: “Kieran was picked up by Hamilton when he was about ten and played with them for four years.

“He played for them at under eleven, under twelve, under thirteen and under fourteen level.

“When it came to under fifteen level he decided that he was fed up and he didn’t want to play for them any more.

“Then they said if he went to another pro youth team they would want compensation.

“He went to Falkirk and played three games for Falkirk.

“Whatever offer they made was rejected by Hamilton.

“He also went to Rangers who made inquiries and they were asked for nine-thousand pounds - for a fourteen-year-old kid.

“I would encourage other parents who are signing their kids up to pro youth teams to make sure they know what they are signing up for."

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 08 Sep 10

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