PLAYERS PLAN SHOWDOWN AGAINST MANAGEMENT

By NBF News
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Gov Goje
The story of Premier League side, Gombe United, has been likened to the biblical whitewashed tomb that appears beautiful on the outside, but inside lays the dead.

While the Gombe State government allegedly spent billions of naira to turn the Abubakar Umar Memorial Stadium into an ultra-modern edifice, Gombe United players, who are going to play on the lush turf are currently languishing in abject poverty, as they are still being owed about 240 per cent of their sign on fees for the past two seasons.

Some months ago, Sunday Sunsports revealed the pathetic story of the members of the squad, who alleged that they had not received their sign on fees since the 2008/09 season. Recently, some players of the club further disclosed that nothing has been said or heard from any member of the club's management, or even from a competent government official as regards when their wages would be paid.

After a prolonged period of waiting, the players, who believe that Governor Danjuma Goje may not be aware of their predicament, have finally decided to confront the management of the club. They accused the club's management of insensitivity, alleging that since the season started, neither the Chairman of the club, Alhaji Chansi Umar nor any members of his team, has addressed them on the issue at stake.

'The players held a meeting recently and unanimously agreed to seek audience with the chairman and other management staff of the club to fashion out the best way to resolve the crisis,' a key member of the team said in an interview from Gombe.

'We decided to take this measure since the chairman has deliberately refused to talk to us. With that, we can at least understand the management's position on the issue.' Some of the players affirmed that they were still putting in their best in the season because they strongly believe that Governor Goje would one day come to their rescue and save them from the agonising situation they have found themselves in the past two seasons.

They, however, threatened to stage a protest to the Government House to press home their demand if they fail to get any form of assurance from the management.