The concept of a transfer window was an idea that sought to protect the small clubs in football i.e West Bromwich Albion, Torino, Almeria et al. The small clubs thought that if a big club was allowed to acquire a player’s service all year long, they could come in at any time and entice their favourite academy graduate. Therefore the transfer window in itself gives them a window (or two) of opportunity to try to convince their starlet to stay at the club by dangling a “carrot” in his face and promising him perhaps the captaincy he doesn’t deserve and things they wouldn’t ordinarily do to any other player, all in a bid to make him stay a bit longer  before the inevitable switch to a bigger club.

The transfer window was adopted in England a few years back. Transfer deadline day is always nervy, wheeling and dealing is done on a scale not previously seen when the window is just open. Clubs with willpower will conclude deals at the snap of a finger all in a bid to meet up with the deadline at midnite and to make sure their player (newly acquired) is eligible to play in the next game. Should there really be a transfer window in football. Should players be allowed to move clubs with unfailing regularity subject to honouring certain portions of their contracts? Players are professionals now, hence the term “pro league” they are governed by the same employment laws as lawyers, accountants and doctors.

Here’s a thought, if clubs are allowed only a window (or two) of opportunity to recruit playing staff, should there be a regulation as to the recruitment of non-playing staff i.e the gaffer. I wonder what the world of football would be if clubs could only recruit managers during the pendency of the transfer window. That being said, Tottenham would not have been able to recruit Harry Redknapp after the sacking of a certain Juande Ramos. They would have been stuck with Ramos until January or sacked him and installed Gus Poyet as caretaker until Jan 2009.

Just think of it, Fabio Capello would bid his time at a club or country FA HQ before making his move to another club or country. A physio like Gary Lewin (Arsenal and England) would not be allowed to move to another club if say, the physio at Inter Milan suddenly reached retirement age or resigned his appointment. The football world could be in turmoil. As much as there is need for regulation (did you say deregulation), there is need for guaranteed freedom of movement of players and non-playing staff.

The world of football is as dynamic as culture, as unpredictable as fashion. What would the football world be without regulations, drama and artistry. Let me know what you think. Have your say. As always, One Love, One passion, One Game.

V O Munis