COUNTIES such as Worcestershire who produce England-qualified players who then move on to other clubs should be ‘properly remunerated’, the Pears chairman has revealed.
Speaking at the club’s AGM, Fanos Hira said it was only right any county which lost a player it had developed and nurtured should be compensated by their new club.
Worcestershire have seen a number of high profile players depart in the last decade with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Joe Clarke the latest two to swap New Road for pastures new.
Mr Hira has been part of the ECB committee which has been looking at introducing a Development Compensation Payment scheme which is set to come into force from 2020.
Under the terms of the new agreement, the ‘selling’ county will receive £6,000 for every year they have had the player on their books between 15 years old and 23 but £6,000 will be deducted for every year the player remains at his current club past the age of 25.
While the Pears chief stressed the county didn’t want to see anyone leave, a ‘transfer fee’ was only right to recognise the efforts of the county in bringing the cricketer through the system.
“One of the things in the past, when we’ve perhaps not paid players enough, or not invested in player welfare, and all the other issues that cause people to leave, is that we’ve developed talent and they’ve moved on,” he said.
“The recommendations, whilst approved, have yet to be formally implemented but it seems that our interests ought to be better protected going forward.
“At the very least there seems to be genuine recognition that those counties who produce England-qualified players, as well as we do, ought to be properly remunerated through a compensation system should players move on.”
Hira confirmed the new system was likely to be introduced in time for the 2020 season.