Salisbury United is facing a mass protest from 10 senior players from its state 1 league squad.

UPDATED: Iconic northern suburbs soccer club Salisbury United has had a massive player revolt, putting its clash against Modbury Jets this weekend in jeopardy.

Salisbury United and Modbury Jets players battle last year. Picture: AAP Image/Morgan Sette

Modbury Jets chairman Jeff McCormack says postponing Saturday’s home clash isn’t ideal after 10 senior Salisbury United players walked out on the iconic northern suburbs club on Tuesday night.

McCormack said he would leave the decision in the hands of Football Federation SA after Salisbury asked the governing body to consider postponing the top-versus-bottom state league 1 clash because of a lack of players.

McCormack also confirmed he had been contacted by a Salisbury official asking if the clash could be deferred.

“I feel for the club (Salisbury) but I’ve got to put my commercial hat on, we’re top at the moment and we’ve left it with the FFSA to sort out,’’ McCormack said.

“Hopefully we’ll have an answer soon, it’s a very delicate situation at the moment.”
Despite social media reports claiming Salisbury players had walked out because they were told to take a pay cut, it’s understood senior players had other reasons for the revolt.

FFSA chief executive Michael Carter issued a statement after he was asked if the governing body would postpone Saturday’s clash.

“The FFSA has been advised of the matter and are in discussions with Salisbury United,’’ Carter said.

“No decision has been made at this time.”

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Salisbury said it had sought flexibility from its players regarding their payments “due to shortcomings in pre-season income and a number of unbudgeted expenses”.

“The proposal was met with resistance, resulting in a number of players preferring to immediately leave the club,” the statement added.

“The committee is still in conversations with a number of players from the team and are looking at options for the playing list and games in the upcoming weeks.”

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Salisbury is currently bottom of State League 1, with just one point from six matches.

Salisbury United was founded in 1954 and became a Socceroos talent factory during the 1990s.

The club won SA’s first division title in 1985 and helped produce SA-born Socceroos Carl Veart, Paul Agostino and Angelo Costanzo.

According to FFSA’s competition operating regulations if Salisbury is asked to play and it forfeits the Jets clash, they will lose the match 3-0 and will be fined $1000.

Salisbury is currently bottom of state league 1 with one point from six matches.

The club relocated from Salisbury North to Burton Park Football Centre headquarters in 2017 which was renamed Steve Jarvis Park.

The facility boasts three pitches, five change rooms and a function centre.

Salisbury United was founded in 1954 and became a Socceroos talent factory in the 1990s. When the late Steve Jarvis injected capital into the club, Salisbury also considered entering the now defunct national soccer league.

The club won SA’s first division title in 1985 and helped produce South Australian-born Socceroos Carl Veart, Paul Agostino and Angelo Costanzo.

The trio played for Adelaide United. Veart and Costanzo also represented Adelaide City, Agostino played for West Adelaide in the NSL. Salisbury has been contacted for comment.

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