City back in court as Farrelly seeks wind-up order

CORK CITY return to the High Court this morning as former player and Irish international Gareth Farrelly brings a winding-up petition against the Leesiders.

The ex-Everton, Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers midfielder was awarded €36,000 in a previous settlement case but has yet to be paid.

Farrelly joined City at the beginning of 2007 but was unable to play for the first six months of his contract due to FIFA’s three-club rule.

He subsequently underwent major surgery in May of 2008 to remove a tumour in his stomach after he had suffered a life-threatening aneurysm. Then in August of last year, it was first reported that his wages were not being paid by the previous owners of the club, Arkaga, who also told him he was no longer required, despite the fact that his contract still had three months left.

When City went into examinership 12 months ago, his contract was cancelled.

Farrelly has indicated that he will be in court for the hearing which starts at 11am and will be represented by Mason, Hayes & Curran solicitors of Dublin.

Today’s case arrives against the backdrop of continuing uncertainty over wages at the club as the possibility emerged over the weekend of a player strike in an upcoming league fixture.

A wage deal – which was agreed with players and staff at the club in August – arranged for six instalments to be paid until just after the end of the season.

With four home league games scheduled for October, two payment dates were arranged in close succession: last Wednesday and next Monday.

But after delays to last week’s payment, not to mention some players only receiving in the region of 70% of their pay, PFAI chief executive Stephen McGuinness met with club officials on Friday. The players were balloted for strike action and it is understood that the Bohemians game could be the subject of action if the situation at the club is not resolved.