Morecambe boss has his say ahead of salary cap decision

Morecambe manager Derek Adams doesn’t believe a proposed salary cap would fully take effect in its first season as EFL clubs prepare for a key vote.
Morecambe manager Derek AdamsMorecambe manager Derek Adams
Morecambe manager Derek Adams

This Thursday is set to see clubs have their say on a proposed wage limit across the three divisions beneath the Premier League.

Any cap in the Championship is yet to be determined but it’s understood that the limit in League One will be £2.5m and £1.5m for League Two.

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The proposal has already drawn its share of support and criticism given the transfer window has already been open a week and clubs remain unaware if they are operating to a limit or not.

There is also an apparent loophole in that, as a transitional measure, the wages of players signed before Thursday’s vote can be classed at the divisional average.

As a result, their full salary would not count towards the wage cap until the 2021/22 season.

The Shrimps’ reputation as the club with one of the lowest average attendances and playing budgets to match means they should be well protected against any wage limit.

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Adams said: “A salary cap is no issue to us but it will be to a lot of clubs.

“You can see quite clearly that clubs are taking players before the cap comes into place – that’s happening and will continue to happen.

“Putting a salary cap in place will benefit teams, not this season but possibly in future seasons.

“This season, you can see what clubs are going to spend and then the players they have got in will go down to the average (wage) in future.”

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Clubs in Leagues One and Two have already been busy with clubs including Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers and Salford City having announced a number of signings.

Morecambe, for their part, took the decision to avoid naming any new arrivals until after their contracts came into force on August 1.

With 10 players having left the club over the summer – with goalkeeping coach Barry Roche having also ended his playing days – there is room for manoeuvre as Adams looks to land the eight players he wants – but not at any price.

He said: “We had drawn up a list of the ones we thought would be available and would be in our market.

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“We have done our best to get the best players at the best price for us but we can only afford what we can afford.

“I think that’s the way a lot of clubs will have to operate because there are clubs in the past who have spent well beyond their means.”