Rowlands demands £200k wage increase from QPR...

Rowlands demands £200k wage increase from QPR... but doesn't even have a squad number

By Neil Ashton

Last updated at 10:37 PM on 16th September 2011

QPR rebel Martin Rowlands is demanding a £4,000-a-week increase in wages – despite failing to land a squad number at Loftus Road.

Despite playing just 23 minutes for Rangers last season, Rowlands has the rise built into his contract.

The former Ireland winger negotiated the £200,000 a year increase to his salary if QPR made it to the Premier League.

Remember me? QPR midfielder Martin Rowlands (left)

Despite being ignored throughout last season's promotion run, Rowlands is insists he is entitled to the increase.

Rowlands is so far down the pecking order at Rangers that boss Neil Warnock has not even issued the midfielder with a shirt number. That has not prevented the former Ireland star demanding the salary increase under the terms of his contract.

QPR are refusing to buckle but Rowlands is threatening to take the matter to the FA if they do not cave in.

Warnock sent him out on loan to Millwall during Rangers' promotion run in last season and he is no longer part of the first team picture.

He is not the only player threatening action against the club because of a dispute with former Rangers striker Rowan Vine.

Dispute: Rowan Vine (top) wants a settlement with QPR

Vine broke his leg in a training ground tackle with reserve team keeper Matt Pickens three years ago.

He claims he is entitled to a settlement under the terms of his contract, but Rangers claim he did not work hard enough in rehabilitation.

Despite the pair's claims, QPR are about to settle the long-running disputes with the players over their promotion bonuses.

Rangers chief Warnock and his squad have yet to be paid in full by the club after reaching the Premier League. They were promised the cash when the television revenues were paid by the Premier League but that was back in August.

The payments were delayed to the players while Air Asia tycoon Tony Fernandes completed his buy-out of the club.

But the new Rangers owner has promised the players that the dispute over the six figure bonuses will be paid this month.

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

 

I've mixed emotions on this, half of me is saying fark off rowly you greedy sod you haven't earned it but the other half is saying he was there during our dark days so maybe he's due it. not sure tbh. he'll still be up there on my greats list.

 

if there was a clause in his contract saying that it would happen if they got promoted then surely the club have to give him it

 

Far too many people in football earn far too much for doing bug ger all.

The old player excuse of "careers are only very short" does not wash as there are plenty of other ways to make money once they have retired, and earning what they have during their careerthey should have more than enough to start good, solid businesses.

I've now had it with Rowlands. The sooner he goes, the better.

"But he was there in the dark days ..." and he made a bloody good living out of it too.

Vine is another one. Got injured, very bad luck, but has kept taking the money sionce and done very little except take the money.

I'd be quite happy to sit on my arris all day for several thousand a week, just turning up for a few mornings a week to run up and down and kick a ball about a bit.

In the end it is US who has to pay for it all, whether it be in SKY subscriptions or high ticket prices.

Most fans, of course, don't care and just want some rich bloke/s to come in and give the clubs money for nothing and scream and shout like spoilt kids when they don't.

 

Got it in one, Eamon old son!! Well said as itis the fans in the end have to pay.

 

yes but the club put a clause in his contract saying they would pay him the 4k a week bonus if they got promoted and now they're not doing it which in rowlands defence is illegal

 

Spot on. He's not been picked because he's not been good enough, unfortunately, but a contract is a contract.

Vine could be argued to have not fulfilled the terms of his contract and frankly seems to be a bit of a ****er.

 

Well said Eamon as you rightly say they earn enough in their short football careers, no excuse, usually much more than the a well paid person receives over 40 years. Greedy buggers!!

 

But if you're legally owed £4k per week you will surely make an effort to get it. I'm sure Rowlands isn't short of a few quid but he's got a family to support once his career ends soon.

 

If it's in his contract, I'm sure they'll pay him.........................eventually!

 

fkin greedy sod. The clause was obviously put in there to reward him if he played a part in our promotion. He played 23 mins and he thinks he's entitled to it?! No room for sentiment. Him and vine can naff off.

 

Blame the man that did the contract then.

 

Injuries are something that football players cannot do anything about, contracts are.
If Rowly had the clause in his contract, then he should be paid it regardless of the minutes he played. He showed us loyalty in our dark days, so pay him what he is owed, and then help him find a new club.
Vine, slightly different kettle of fish. Two serious injuries, one after the other, plus various loan spells to help him recover from is injuries.............
I am disappointed with both ut for different reasons: why did "someone from the club" put this in Rowlys contract initially, and why the hell hasn't Vine done everything he can to prove QPR wrong for not wanting him

 

Hes my all-time favourite R's player next to Sinclair and I really thought he could do sumat for us last season and this. Our gaffer doesn't think so though so they should have gotten rid of the cu*t over the summer. Its the Club's fault, partly the Goons and partly COLIN's.

 

That'll probably be Paladini then - think we've all got enough reason to be blaming him over the past few seasons!

 

I'm in no way a legal expert, but surely the club could argue that Rowly didn't make any contribution to the promotion winning side. Therefore, isn't entitled to anything.

 

He's on the back of my shirt, won't say a bad word about him as he's my favourite player since our demise. Though this doesn't put him in the best of lights, but a contract is a contract i guess.

 

I guess his argument is he wouldnt have signed for just £2k a week in the dark days, if the £4k wasnt on the table for success (which to be fair at the time was a very optomistic carrot' lets be honest).

Suspect his agent gets a large chunk of it, and I have no doubt Rowly will have to pay that chunk to the agent regardless of whether QPR pay Rowly. Although it goes against the grain, I think he is right to ask for it and questions need to be asked of "whoever agreed it" (if they are still there!!)

 

As I recall, he was born in Hammersmith, yet he was playing for the Republic of Ireland when he got injured....

 

And?