SPARKY BAGS ANOTHER TESTIMONIAL

Last updated : 13 January 2003 By editor

From The Telegraph:

‘As part of the contract, Hughes, previously part-time, will receive a lucrative testimonial at the Millennium Stadium if he guides Wales, currently top of their qualifying group, to the Euro 2004 finals.

The package starts at £175,000 in the first year and finishes at £250,000 in 2006, with bonuses for qualifying for the Euro 2004 finals and the World Cup finals in 2006. But if Hughes leaves for a Premiership club, the Football Association of Wales will get £250,000, or £125,000 for a First Division club.

Welsh football is on a high; the principality are 52nd in the FIFA world rankings, an improvement of 48 places in just 12 months. They lead Group Nine by five points and are unbeaten in eight games. If they avoid defeat in next month's friendly against Bosnia, it will represent the best sequence in Welsh history.

David Collins, secretary general of the FAW, said: "I think I can say this guarantees we've got some great years ahead of us. We have given Mark a lot, but look at what he's given us in return.

"I was never as concerned as other people were because I've had constant dealings with Mark over this and I knew he would eventually put pen to paper."’