Post by Macmoish on Mar 29, 2011 15:20:03 GMT
As noted in passing in this article...
www.chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk/news/colchester/8939560.Paul_Dyer__U___s_tribunal_verdict____has_left_me_bitter___/
Chelmsford Weekly News -
Paul Dyer: U’s tribunal verdict ‘has left me bitter’Tuesday 29th March 2011
By Adam Cornell »
A FORMER Colchester United scout who took the club to a tribunal and lost has spoken out about the experience.
Paul Dyer, 57, said he is still bitter about the treatment he received from the club he served for decades – first as a player then as part of the backroom team – but is glad he proceeded with his claim.
The tribunal decided his employment began when he signed a contract in 2006 and not in 1991, as he claimed, when he became part of the backroom team, first as a chief scout and then as reserve team manager.
He disputed the suggestion he was just a volunteer during this time and the decision not to award him any compensation, despite bringing a number of key players to the club.
The tribunal did criticise the redundancy procedure the club carried out as “flawed” with off-the-record meetings but did not consider this enough to allow the claim for unfair dismissal.
Mr Dyer said: “I am very disappointed that the tribunal, having found the procedure followed by the club was flawed, did not then proceed to say that any dismissal was unfair.”
Mr Dyer told the Gazette he played a key role in signing three of the clubs most successful players of recent times.
He said: “I have not been treated very nicely for the job I was doing as a scout.
“I made a lot of money for the club. I spotted Neil Danns, was the only scout watching Jamie Cureton in a reserve game at Swindon and found the pearl that is George Elokobi, who is now in the Premiership, so I was not bad at my job.”
He also pointed to a picture of him at the FA Trophy final with Roy McDonough in the official club suit as a clear indication he was much more than a volunteer.
Speaking about the tribunal he said: “I came to Colchester to play and have always been Colchester United. But not so much now. I’m a little bitter and twisted about it all.”
Mr Dyer, who lives in Stanway, was offered £5,800, and then a further £2,000, by the club but will now receive nothing.
He is currently working as a scout for Queens Park Rangers.
U’s Chairman Robbie Cowling admitted after the tribunal that he wished things had not reached this stage.
He said: “It’s a shame it needed to go this far. It’s clear from what we have heard Mr Dyer has done a great job over the years, both as an employee and a volunteer, and the club will always be grateful.”
Scouting is now carried out by the management team.
www.chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk/news/colchester/8939560.Paul_Dyer__U___s_tribunal_verdict____has_left_me_bitter___/
Chelmsford Weekly News -
Paul Dyer: U’s tribunal verdict ‘has left me bitter’Tuesday 29th March 2011
By Adam Cornell »
A FORMER Colchester United scout who took the club to a tribunal and lost has spoken out about the experience.
Paul Dyer, 57, said he is still bitter about the treatment he received from the club he served for decades – first as a player then as part of the backroom team – but is glad he proceeded with his claim.
The tribunal decided his employment began when he signed a contract in 2006 and not in 1991, as he claimed, when he became part of the backroom team, first as a chief scout and then as reserve team manager.
He disputed the suggestion he was just a volunteer during this time and the decision not to award him any compensation, despite bringing a number of key players to the club.
The tribunal did criticise the redundancy procedure the club carried out as “flawed” with off-the-record meetings but did not consider this enough to allow the claim for unfair dismissal.
Mr Dyer said: “I am very disappointed that the tribunal, having found the procedure followed by the club was flawed, did not then proceed to say that any dismissal was unfair.”
Mr Dyer told the Gazette he played a key role in signing three of the clubs most successful players of recent times.
He said: “I have not been treated very nicely for the job I was doing as a scout.
“I made a lot of money for the club. I spotted Neil Danns, was the only scout watching Jamie Cureton in a reserve game at Swindon and found the pearl that is George Elokobi, who is now in the Premiership, so I was not bad at my job.”
He also pointed to a picture of him at the FA Trophy final with Roy McDonough in the official club suit as a clear indication he was much more than a volunteer.
Speaking about the tribunal he said: “I came to Colchester to play and have always been Colchester United. But not so much now. I’m a little bitter and twisted about it all.”
Mr Dyer, who lives in Stanway, was offered £5,800, and then a further £2,000, by the club but will now receive nothing.
He is currently working as a scout for Queens Park Rangers.
U’s Chairman Robbie Cowling admitted after the tribunal that he wished things had not reached this stage.
He said: “It’s a shame it needed to go this far. It’s clear from what we have heard Mr Dyer has done a great job over the years, both as an employee and a volunteer, and the club will always be grateful.”
Scouting is now carried out by the management team.
