Deyna, Crow, Clavijo Will Probably Stay With Sockers
After the Sockers won their fourth straight indoor championship in May, it appeared three veterans were on the way out:
--Midfielder Kaz Deyna considered returning to Poland if his contract situation was not resolved.
--Defender Kevin Crow wanted to play in England’s First Division.
--Defender Fernando Clavijo appeared destined to play out his option.
Lately, all three seem to have had a change in plans.
Deyna will probably sign a two-year contract when he meets Friday with Owner Bob Bell. Crow also figures to return, and Clavijo will likely sign a three-year contract.
Each player is represented by Scott Simpson of Encinitas. Simpson and Bell have often haggled over contracts, but they were at peace Monday.
Simpson said he has one- and two-year proposals from Bell concerning Deyna. Both are believed to have an annual value of $85,000, Deyna’s salary last season.
“I’m going to suggest Kazzie take a proposal I have worked out with Bob,” Simpson said. “It looks like Kazzie will be here two more years.”
Deyna, who turns 38 in October, was not so sure. He pointed out that it has been seven months since negotiations began.
However, Deyna responded affirmatively when asked about the possibility of a two-year contract.
“I’d like that,” he said. “I’ll know a little more after my meeting with the owner on Friday. I’m thinking right now. I have three days to decide.”
Crow, 24, would decide to play in the prestigious English First Division if given a choice. It doesn’t appear he’ll have that choice, however.
The English West Bromwich Albion team is offering only a $20,000 salary, $35,000 less than Crow earns with the Sockers. In addition, the team is not willing to pay a loan fee for Crow.
“I had a meeting with Bob Bell this morning,” Crow said Monday afternoon. “I didn’t see any hope after talking to Bob. As much as I want to go and Bob would like for me to go in his heart, it doesn’t look like it will happen. It’s not in his best interest to loan me out without a loan fee or for him to pay part of my salary off to the side.”
Said Bell: “It’s not that we’re trying to be obstinate, it’s economics. It’s too much to expect to pay his salary and lose him at the same time. I’d love to help the kid. It’s a matter of them (the English team) wanting to put all of the costs and risks on me.”
Crow suggested that Bell let him play in England for one year and reconsider the situation. According to Crow, the English team might pay $200,000 for his full-time services if they liked him after the first year.
“What would (Bell) get if he sold me to someone like St. Louis?” Crow asked. “Maybe he’d get $10,000.”
Crow said the longer he played indoors, the more difficult it would be to adjust to outdoors. He is attempting to become the first American to play in the English First Division.
“The key is that I don’t think Bob wants me to leave San Diego indoors,” Crow said. “Then again, this is my only chance in life to play outdoors in England. Either way I go, I can’t lose.”
The Sockers would be in danger of losing Clavijo if he played out his option in 1985-86. League rules would require the Sockers to give Clavijo a 10% raise over last year’s $75,000 salary if he played out his option.
“We’re trying to reach a new three-year deal,” Simpson said. “I look for us to reach an amiable conclusion in the next week or so.”
Socker Notes The Sockers have decided not to pursue Martin Donnelly, a free agent from the defunct Las Vegas Americans. “It’s a matter of numbers,” Owner Bob Bell said. “With Kevin Crow coming back, we’d have to cut somebody to make room for Martin. We didn’t think that would be fair.” Donnelly is a former Socker. He was sold to Las Vegas before the 1984-85 season.
