The PFAI would like to announce that the PFAI Selection - the players who have been attending our training camp over the past two weeks - will play a game against Shelbourne on Saturday.

The details are as follows -

GAME                   PFAI Selection v Shelbourne

DATE                     Saturday 30 January 2010

VENUE                  Pitch 10, AUL Complex, Clonshaugh, Co Dublin

KICK OFF             1.45pm

PFAI General Secretary Stephen McGuinness said "We would like to thank Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely and Chairman Joe Casey for their co-operation in the organisation of this game.  We feel it is important to showcase the players who have been training hard under the supervision of Trevor Croly and Alan Moore for the past two weeks.

"Some of the original attendees have found employment; Brian Gartland has signed for Monaghan United, Aaron Shanahan has signed for Longford Town and Gareth O'Connor has signed for Drogheda United.  Shane Robinson departed for Australia today and other players have been invited for training at various clubs in the league.

"Again we would like to thank the AUL for their assistance over the past couple of weeks and we're looking forward to being back here next week.  We'll only be here as long as the players are still actively seeking employment, we'd love to see everyone sorted out with contracts sooner rather than later.

"We'd like to invite all League of Ireland managers and coaches and scouts along to the AUL on Saturday."

The players included in the PFAI Selection are -

Richie Baker, Stephen Brennan, Liam Burns, Mick Clarke, Michael Collins, David Ennis, Neale Fenn, John Flood, David Freeman, Jason Gavin, Chris Harrington, Pat Jennings, Joe Kendrick, Mark Leech, Stephen Maher, Kyle Moran, Timmy Purcell, Dave Rogers, Ger Rowe, Bobby Ryan, Ian Ryan, Mark Salmon, Paul Whelan and Vinnie Whelan.

The PFAI would like to confirm that Bill Dennehy mutually cancelled his contract with Cork City Football Club today.

Dennehy said "I'd like to thank the supporters and my team mates for an enjoyable season in 2009 which ended with us qualifying for the Europa League.

"I had no choice but to look out for my own future career and I hope to have my future sorted out in the next week or two and I'm looking forward to getting back on to the training ground soon.

"I wish Cork City Football Club all the best for the future."

End

The PFAI training camp for out of work professional players got underway on Monday morning at the AUL Complex as coach Trevor Croly took the players through the first session.  Croly was assisted by Alan Moore and Matt Gregg.

Stephen McGuinness, PFAI General Secretary, said "When we heard that over 90 per cent of our league players would be out of work at the end of the 2009 season, myself and Ollie Cahill discussed what we could do to help our members. We decided to arrange a training camp at this time as managers would still be finalising their squads and there are still a number of players who are seeking employment.

"Last October every player in the league was given an application form to fill in if they wanted their name entered on to our transfer list which is on our website, and to express their interest in attending our training camp. We received a huge response so we organised this training camp.

"The PFAI continues to explore options available to benefit our members. We'll see how this camp goes and we'll look to roll out this initiative to other Provinces."

Players who attended today and who have confirmed their attendance over the coming weeks are -

Richie Baker (Shelbourne), Liam Burns (Dundalk), David Ennis (unattached), Neale Fenn (Bohemians), John Flood (Bray Wanderers), David Freeman (Monaghan United), Jason Gavin (St Patrick's Athletic), Brian Gartland (Monaghan United), Stephen Maher (St Patrick's Athletic), Shane Robinson (Shamrock Rovers), Dave Rogers (Dundalk), Bobby Ryan (St Patrick's Athletic) and Paul Whelan (Monaghan United).

Ger Rowe (Dundalk), Aaron Shanahan (Longford Town), Pat Jennings (Derry City), Richie Ryan (Sligo Rovers), Ian Ryan (Drogheda United), Gareth O'Connor (St Patrick's Athletic), Mick Clarke (Longford Town), Vinnie Whelan (Shelbourne), Mark Salmon (Athlone Town), Mark Leech (St Patrick's Athletic), Anto Flood (Shelbourne), Conor Gethins (Finn Harps) and Brian McCarthy (Bohemians)

Stephen McGuinness and Delegate Liaison Officer, Ollie Cahill, were also on hand to oversee proceedings, and Stephen commented "The first day's got off to a flying start.  Players are committed to this initiative and we have more players coming on board during the week.  This is aimed at the player who is determined to get himself in the shop window and signed up by the start of the season.  Pre-season training is hard enough when you have a club so this just helps lads who are looking to be prepared when the opportunity of a contract comes along.

"We've already received inquiries into the office from managers regarding those players that turned up today; I'd like to see the lads sorted out with employment sooner rather than later and if this camp only lasts for a couple of weeks and all the lads are signed up we have done our job.

"The lads have been afforded the best coaching and medical assistance with Trevor Croly, Alan Moore, Matt Gregg and Albert Byrne.  We'd like to thank the AUL and in particular Tony Martin, Mick Behan and Paddy McGrath, and Richard Fahey from the FAI for allowing us use of this top class training facility."

The PFAI would like to confirm that Jason Gavin mutually cancelled his contract with St Patrick's Athletic Football Club today.

"I'd like to thank the club for everything they've done for me during the past year and a half.  I've had an enjoyable time here, especially the European nights which for obvious reasons were the highlight of my time at Richmond Park." said Gavin.

"I'd like to wish the club and supporters all the best for the future."

The FIFPro World XI Team of the Year 2009 was revealed on Monday night at a gala presentation in Zurich, Switzerland.  Over 22,000 players worldwide voted for the team and in a joint venture FIFPro and FIFA announced the world team of the year and Barcelona's Lionel Messi was named the World Player of the Year.

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid);
Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra (both Manchester United);
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Xavi and Andrés Iniesta (both Barcelona);
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

Seven of the eleven players also made the FIFPro World XI of 2007/08. Four players were picked for the first time: Barcelona's Daniel Alves and Andrés Iniesta, and Manchester United's Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. All four played in the Champions League final of 2009.

John Terry succeeded for the fifth time to join the World XI. The captain of Chelsea is the only player in the World that has been elected each time FIFPro has organized the vote. Steven Gerrard, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo made it to the team for the third time in a row.

European champions and recently crowned World champions Barcelona are the team with the most representatives in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI. Four Azulgranas received their award in Switzerland: Alves, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. The latter was even crowned as Best Male Player in the World, moments later at the FIFA World Player Gala.

Once again Spain is the country that provided the most players. This year 4 Spanish footballers are named in the World XI. Last year Spain set a record with 5 representatives.

The PFAI has issued a guide for players on signing the Standard Players Contract.