Paddy

[RIP Niftos]

I agree with SF, I'd get rid of him. The club doctors are paid to tell the lads what they can or can't take and it wouldn't have taken him long to check.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I think he was stupid, but that in itself isn't a crime.

Paddy has made a nice living out of this club, I would offer him another year on the same terms at this season if he agrees to be docked pay while he is banned.
If he thinks that is being unfair bearing in mind he can't play for us and it was his mistake then I think we need to go our separate ways.
Personally I hope he stays and we also bring in a young keeper to push him.
If all the fuss about this lad from Huddersfield is to be believed then that sounds like a decent option.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Having seen the comments coming out of the hearing, 9 months seems ridiculous, and I'm not sure how they can justify it given that they admit that it was taken not to enhance performance.

I remember asking at the time this news first broke what the difference was between a player being given a cortisone shot to relieve a knee injury enough to enable him to play, and someone taking a cough medicine to relieve symptoms to enable a player to, for example, breathe more easily. I think we all accept that his decision not to go through the club to get medication was foolish, but 9 months when you line it up against (Mutu, positive for cocaine, 7 months), Ferdinand (deliberately missed a test, 8 months) for example, seems grossly unfair. Isn't that the same length Cantona was banned for the infamous karate kick on the Palace fan?

Good servant to the club, and most importantly a decent player. If Bunn after the season isn't capable, or he is and we can't keep him, I would definitely give him a contract.

 

[grafikhaus]

I'd agree with that, Loughboro. I think this all smacks of payback time by the muppets in power.
I can't believe all the holier-than-thou merchants saying Paddy 'has been stupid' when we don't know all the full details.
Bednar dealt in Class A drugs and was given a 3 month ban - in the cricket season - big deal.
After this, and watching the Man U v. Arsenal farce the other week plus old potato head clearly diving for England on Saturday, it seems corruption and double-dealing is alive and well in the English game.

 

[dingledog]

For me the phrase 'Pride before a fall' seems to apply here. 9 Months ago Paddy tried to 'blackmail' the club for more money, including going on the transfer list. No great suprise no one came in for him and he asked to be removed from the 'list', 3 months ago he stupidly takes more than the suggested dose of a medicine that contains a performance enhancing drug. Yesterday he is banned until two games form the end of the season when his contract expires.

So what future for a man who would seem to court controvesy and maybe not be the brightest button in the box? For me I would cancel his contract, he is a good goalkeeper, but seems to bring an unwanted amout of bad PR with him and does nothing to enhance the good name of Sheffield United Football Club.

I doubt this is a popular view in some quarters but he isn't the best goal keeper in the world, he is a good goal keeper, but is he better than Bunn? Not really, so he isn't indispensible.

Paddy needs to sort his life out and pick up his career after the ban, he will find that where ever he finds work he will be on significanlty less pay than he was prior to being suspended and I suspect in a lower league that he may feel he should be in.

He broke the rules, either through negligence or sheer stupidity. As a club that has just had a 'saga' with the FA and West Ham over rule breaking and the need to abide by the rules he has to go or else we(Sheffield united) stand accused of hypocarcy.

 

[Blade]

I think from the comments I've read some of the views fall on the side of whether the poster rated Kenny as a decent goalkeeper any more or not. I for one think we've needed to look elsewhere for a while now even if just to offer some serious competition to the lad. His shot stopping is not what it once was and when he joined he practically acted as a goallywag sweeper mopping up anything that would come within 30 - 40 yards of goal at times. Ever since he got injured at Palace he stopped coming and that became worse and worse to the stage where he never left his line, this led to him getting so out of practice that the rare few occasions (less than 5 a season) that he came off his line to catch a cross he looked a complete clown like the game against the pigs. I also don't like the attitude he displayed at the start of the year.

However I think it's especially important we remember that he's been with us for a long time and over the years has put in some great saves to get us to so many of those oh so close moments. I'd have been happy for him to be moved on graciously but it leaves a sour taste that his career with us could be over for something so innocuous.

He was stupid but this punishment seems really harsh to me given that he's a good lad, has done lots for charity and the "drug" was administered via an over the counter cough medicine that they have confirmed they believe not to be taken to improve his performance.

Reading the summary it looks like they feel strongly that it was his ignorance/arrogance in just taking the medicine without checking the instructions or checking with the club doctor. I'd agree with that and think it's important he should be severely put out because of it but not by effectively banning him in his last year of contract with a club that he's been at so long. I think given the above findings a really hefty financial penalty should have been given, enough to make other footballers think on but not to make him have to work so hard just to keep in his current occupation. It'll be tough to keep fit and come back having not been able to train for so long.

Good luck Paddy, I think you're an idiot but I don't bear you any ill will.

 

[cooperblade]

For me the phrase 'Pride before a fall' seems to apply here. 9 Months ago Paddy tried to 'blackmail' the club for more money, including going on the transfer list. No great suprise no one came in for him and he asked to be removed from the 'list', 3 months ago he stupidly takes more than the suggested dose of a medicine that contains a performance enhancing drug. Yesterday he is banned until two games form the end of the season when his contract expires.

Completely agree. Hopefully Killa, Walker and Evans will also suffer some ill fortune. It's disgusted me the way they've all gone for more money. I hope they all rot in hell. Anyone who isn't willing to take the first offer made and pledge their undying love for SUFC can sling their hook for me.

 

[parisblade]

Bednar dealt in Class A drugs and was given a 3 month ban - in the cricket season - big deal.

And what about the lads that have put other players in comas through blatant fouls on the pitch? 6 match bans? And surely pirouetting in the penalty area to obtain a penalty is cheating that has a more direct effect on the than taking cough medicine? Although 2 wrongs don't make a right, some perspective is needed here.

Paddy has been a bit silly but let's not forget that for a lot of his career at the Blades he will have been the first name on the team sheet. Let's give him

 

[parisblade]

Paddy has been a bit silly but let's not forget that for a lot of his career at the Blades he will have been the first name on the team sheet. Let's give him

Ooops. Lets give him the support and respect he deserves I meant to add!

 

[matth]

I'd have loved to have seen the reaction if it'd been say for instance Robert Green at West Ham whom this had happened to...

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I know a few professional players. In fact I was speaking with one at the weekend, and discussed this very case. The higher in the game you go, the more the club controls your life whilst you're with them. Some call it completely pampered to the point where they can't live in the real world (I remember hearing Neil Ruddock say he got toothache after he retired and didn't know how to contact a dentist!), but for the club this is seen as just protecting a serious investment and asset. At all levels though, players are told to contact the clubs medical team for anything connected with health, fitness and the physical. The person I was speaking with told me they are warned at the start of pre-season training about aches, pains, coughs, colds and even the wendy flu (some clubs are saying don't get tamiflu contact us).

It's a strange life, but the rules a pretty simple and this isn't rocket science or brain surgery. I've heard it said he's been stupid, well the pro I spoke to says he's worse than that because this is so simple and basic a rule it's almost child-like, 'you take nothing without permission!' Of course, there are players out there doing all manner of drugs recreationally and a few have been caught out, many haven't but this is different, this is fundamental to his career and livelihood.

I work with vulnerable people. Although I'm in a very senior position and have little direct contact and day-to-day working contact with these clients, there are still rules, regulations and procedure in place of safeguarding I have to follow. Much of this safeguarding is in place to protect me from false/incorrect accusations being made. They are a fundamental part of working with vulnerable adults and children (as many of you would know) and if you choose to ignore them and work in an unguarded way, if a subsequent allegation is made you cannot plead stupidity. For a footballer at any level this is a similar fundamental mistake, thus Paddy has got the verdict delivered yesterday. Like myself making a similar fundamental mistake, his employer is perfectly entitled to opt for dismissal.

 

[bladesadviser]

All good points made. I don't know if there is going to be an appeal however we were never going to get any favours from the FA after we have made them and the Premier League look the fools they are over Tevez.

With regards to Paddy, if the ban stays at 9 months then nothing needs to be decided until the end of the season. The clubs priority is to ensure we have a quality keeper for the whole season

 

[Ollessendro]

I'd like to set something straight. Bednar got found out buying cocaine. He was supsended by West Brom. The FA were not involved as he did not fail a drugs test.

I am in no way condoning what Bednar did, but you cannot compare the 2 crimes. Paddy failed an FA drugs test and Bednar was suspended by his own club for using recreational drugs.

 

[Linz]

Just as an aside, can we keep everything mentioned in this thread to the right side of libel please.

No accusations that haven't been substantiated, no speculation as to circumstances we don't know the facts about.

We know club officials read this board and we aren't prepared to pay legal costs for people to get a bit giddy Not that we're saying our club would stoop to the levels shown across the city.

Just a forewarning.

 

[parisblade]

Good post SouthEssexBlade.

Paddy is guilty, no-one is denying that. What I'm saying is that his heinous crime needs to be taken in perspective in the light of other crimes that take place on the pitch that potentially could lead to one team having an unfair advantage over another. Eduardo's "deceiving the referee" had a much bigger effect on the outcome of a game than Paddy's stupid mistake. One gets a 2 game ban, the other gets 9 months. Rules are absolutely there to be respected but the applying of punishments for breaking these rules should take in account the overall outcome of the misdemeanor.

Anyways, as my Gran (RIP) would say "He'll not do it again now will he!"

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Good post SouthEssexBlade.

Paddy is guilty, no-one is denying that. What I'm saying is that his heinous crime needs to be taken in perspective in the light of other crimes that take place on the pitch that potentially could lead to one team having an unfair advantage over another. Eduardo's "deceiving the referee" had a much bigger effect on the outcome of a game than Paddy's stupid mistake. One gets a 2 game ban, the other gets 9 months. Rules are absolutely there to be respected but the applying of punishments for breaking these rules should take in account the overall outcome of the misdemeanor.

Anyways, as my Gran (RIP) would say "He'll not do it again now will he!"

Ahh, Paris the injustice and immorality of professional sport in general and football especially. The difference for the clubs between breaching one rule (taking performance enhancing drugs) and the other (simulation) is a factor. Everything to gain from a dive or two, nothing but trouble from illicit substances, hence WBA banning Bednar off their own back when they didn't need to and Arsene offering every excuse under the sun for Eduardo.

The politics of sport and football deems one more serious than the other. You and I and every real football fan in the world could cure the diving immediately, but the powers that be have other agendas. At the big table of world sport 'drug cheats' are the big villains, remember that!!

 

[Bristol Blade]

I;m not a chemist by any means but my understanding of ephadrine is that is a powerful decongestant, it opens up the lung walls to increase breathing capacity. Hence if you're bunged up it clears it up. The advantage could be gained I suppose by increased lung capacity, hardly needed in a keeper. As for the weight loss may I suggest you try doing as much running as Paddy has these last couple of summers and see how much you lose.

I thought it was banned because it helps concentration, allowing you to focus better. This clearly would have a huge benefit for goalkeepers.

 

[Ollessendro]

It's got quite a few different uses Bristol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedrine

 

[GainsboroBlade]

Am gutted for Paddy! The 9 month is very harsh considering the fact that they recognised it wasnt for performance enhancement.Don't know where this leave's Paddy now with his contract ending.Hope it works out for him and he plays for the Blades again someday.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Ephedrine has many effects on the body, increased concentration/focus, weight loss (in conjunction with other substances), bronchodilator etc. But the principle reason for it's status as a banned substance in sport is due to what it does regarding the adrenal glands (producer of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Notice they all end 'ine'! Similar drug amphetamine). This action and the knock-on effect regarding dopamine and serotonin are why it is classed as a 'performance enhancer.'

 

[Ollessendro]

Here is opening up a can of worms.

Sebastain Berti, a Chilean international Rugby player, was banned for 6 weeks in 2006 for testing positive for ephedrine. He had a similar amount in his body (10 ug/ml) and a similar story (not judged to be performance enhancing).

http://www.irb.com/training/antidoping/cases/index.html
http://www.irb.com/mm/document/training/0/addecisionberti_546.pdf (full report)

 

[Southend Blade]

I personally feel that 9 months is a harsh ban when you take into account the fact that Rio Ferdinand was only banned for 8 months for missing drug test(s), surely that sends the message out that if you feel you may fail a drug test then the sentence is far less if you just decide to miss the test(s) than to go ahead and take the test and subsequently fail. I would assume that this would be the first item to bring up if any appeal were considered.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

My opinion is that Sheffield United don't owe Paddy anything. He apparently could have taken up the offer of a new extended contract at any time last season but didn't. He's then made a stupid mistake, which has caused the club unnecessary upheaval and great expense.

Having said that, is it now in the best of interests of United to sack and lose a player who was (and could soon be again) worth £1M+? Personally, I don't believe it is and as others have said, we are now in a great bargaining position to secure a good, "loyal" player on the cheap for next season and beyond.

Much has been made of the fact that he can't train and therefore won't be fit enough to play again this season. However, he is NOT injured and can train as much as he wants and needs to in his own time (More charity marathons for example). If he then started a "pre-season" with the club at the end of April, he could easily be match fit and ready to play in the play-offs if required. If Bunn (or whoever) was suddenly unavailable, I would rather have Paddy than Benett between the sticks or on the bench (remember the Port Vale debacle).

Although he's banned from all "football" activity, there is presumably nothing to prevent Paddy from being put to some use by the club on the Commercial/Public Relations side of things for 9 months. I would offer him that option rather than the sack, with the carrot of a new football contract in April, dependant on him proving a certain level of physical fitness.

Personally, I feel that gives both United and Paddy Kenny the best possible outcome of a really bad situation all round.

 

[Bramley]

He's stupid, but some of the reaction to him from Blades is a disgrace.

How many years has he been here? And how many big performances has he put in for us?

Sod all that though, it'll be good riddance when he goes.

Don't forget Paddy along with Morgan and Monty are three players on the list of longstanding players who always put in a decent shift yet always get criticism. Shame Paddy wasn't signed from a Premier League club, put on massive wages and turned out to be overrated crap, or just decent on Championship Manager. Then he'd be a hero for some like Hendrie, Shelton, Sun Jihai, Sommeil, Simon Francis etc etc.

 

[BarcaBlade]

That Paddy is a daft bugger is no news to anyone. They'll appeal and it will be reduced to 6 or 7 months.

The bit that irks me is that he isn't allowed to train. Why not? He can go to a gym and train. He can run round the park on his own. What's the logic behind stopping him training?

And how do you enforce it if you are the FA? Does it mean that Paddy is banned from being on SUFC property? What actually constitutes 'training'? Can he hire a personal coach and train with them? Is it actually legal for the FA to impose that ban?

That part of the sentence is very strange to me.

 

[Darren]

That Paddy is a daft bugger is no news to anyone. They'll appeal and it will be reduced to 6 or 7 months.

The bit that irks me is that he isn't allowed to train. Why not? He can go to a gym and train. He can run round the park on his own. What's the logic behind stopping him training?

And how do you enforce it if you are the FA? Does it mean that Paddy is banned from being on SUFC property? What actually constitutes 'training'? Can he hire a personal coach and train with them? Is it actually legal for the FA to impose that ban?

That part of the sentence is very strange to me.

I wonder about the legality of the training ban as it effectively means that his ban is extended for another 2-3 months whilst he gets match fit again.

I suspect what the ban means is that he is not able to train with the club, so there is nothing to stop him keeping fit by running, going to the gym etc or indeed hiring a personal trainer (query whether Andy Leaning could put him through his keeping paces on a freelance basis paid by Paddy and off SUFC premises).

 

[Santos]

My opinion is that Sheffield United don't owe Paddy anything. He apparently could have taken up the offer of a new extended contract at any time last season but didn't. He's then made a stupid mistake, which has caused the club unnecessary upheaval and great expense.

Having said that, is it now in the best of interests of United to sack and lose a player who was (and could soon be again) worth £1M+? Personally, I don't believe it is and as others have said, we are now in a great bargaining position to secure a good, "loyal" player on the cheap for next season and beyond.

Much has been made of the fact that he can't train and therefore won't be fit enough to play again this season. However, he is NOT injured and can train as much as he wants and needs to in his own time (More charity marathons for example). If he then started a "pre-season" with the club at the end of April, he could easily be match fit and ready to play in the play-offs if required. If Bunn (or whoever) was suddenly unavailable, I would rather have Paddy than Benett between the sticks or on the bench (remember the Port Vale debacle).

Although he's banned from all "football" activity, there is presumably nothing to prevent Paddy from being put to some use by the club on the Commercial/Public Relations side of things for 9 months. I would offer him that option rather than the sack, with the carrot of a new football contract in April, dependant on him proving a certain level of physical fitness.

Personally, I feel that gives both United and Paddy Kenny the best possible outcome of a really bad situation all round.

Good post. I think it's almost seen as the done thing to just sack him and wash their hands of him. As you say, United & Paddy could turn this into a positive. Sheffield United has been the best thing that is ever going to happen to Paddy Kenny's career. He was a nobody at Bury when we signed him in 2002. If we were to stick by him now I would hope he'd show a bit of loyalty and sign a contract on less money. The only worry would be if he has a good start to next season will the agent go about touting his name around trying to get him a new contract with a new club? I'd hope loyalty would prevail.

Not sure what use we could make out of him whilst he's suspended though. He's suspended because he's done wrong and for him to be seen in public representing the club would be wrong in my opinion. What did Cantona & Ferdinand do when they were suspended for a similiar amount of time? If I was Paddy I'd be looking at raising money for charity or something which is productive and will keep him busy, independent of SUFC.

I wonder if he'd consider or be allowed to start a goalkeeper coaching licence? Doubt it but who knows.

 

[i3lade4life]

Im sure there will be loads of stories from the oinkers about paddy taking part in footballing activities in their local parks. this ruling is total bollocks, surely he could not be barred from working with a coach in his own time???