BBC SPORT | Football | Bishop's warning to Gazza



By David Walmsley BBC Sport Online

Former Manchester City and Miami Fusion midfielder Ian Bishop
Bishop played for Miami Fusion

Former Manchester City midfielder Ian Bishop has warned Paul Gascoigne to learn from his experience before signing a contract in the USA.

Gascoigne flew to Washington on Wednesday for a trial with Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit DC United.

Gazza begins US trial

But Bishop, who was left out of work by the collapse of the Miami Fusion team earlier this year, has told him: "Check the small print before you sign."

The former West Ham player turned down more lucrative offers from Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley to play in Florida last year.

I never thought going to the USA would finish my career

Ian Bishop
ex-Miami Fusion

He made the MLS All Star team as the Fusion topped their conference.

But poor attendance figures saw the club closed down by the league.

Bishop believed the MLS - which controls all player contracts - had agreed to take up a two-year option on his deal.

But his club's closure and salary cap restrictions on the remaining teams left him unable to find another home.

Now the 37-year-old is playing for League of Wales side Barry Town on a short-term contract covering their European Champions League qualifier against Skonto Riga.

Bishop signs for Barry

And he said of his US experience: "I would advise anyone going to read every bit of small print.

"If I had done that, I wouldn't have gone," he told BBC Sport Online

Paul Gascoigne
Gascoigne will train with DC United on Friday
"There is no players union there and so the players have no rights."

Bishop has lodged a court claim against the MLS and is currently awaiting the verdict - as well as looking for a new club.

But he said: "I've come back here at the wrong time.

"The chances of getting a club are slim to none and I will probably have to go on trial at 37 years old."

And he added: "While I was having such a good time there, I never thought that making that decision would finish my career.

"I would say to Gazza: Get your people to go through everything twice, get your contract guaranteed - and get $1m a year!"


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