Soccer:Court proceedings against Bohemians FC were initiated today by a legal representative acting on behalf of two unnamed players seeking unpaid wages.

Playing staff at the club are owed in the region of six weeks’ pay and two of them are effectively pursuing a winding up order for the club.

The club, however, claims to be preparing a collective deal for all players and has not attempted to fend of legal action that could well threaten its 121-year-old existence.

The case is not expected to come up for a hearing for at least two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, solicitor Stuart Gilhooly, acting for the two players has issued a statement on behalf of Brian Shelley, denying reports the Bohs defender is to join Australian club Ballarat Red Devils.

“Contrary to media reports today, Brian has not agreed any deal to sign for Ballarat Red Devils,” read the statement. “Furthermore, he has not spoken to any media, Australian or otherwise, about this club and the quotes attributed to him are entirely false.

“He remains contracted to Bohemians Football Club and will remain at the club until his contract expires or until the club makes such offer of settlement of his contract that is acceptable to him.

As things stand, this has not happened and he therefore remains a Bohemians player.

“In common with nearly all other Bohemians players, he has not been paid on foot of his contract in nearly seven weeks.

As a result and without prejudice to the terms of his contract, Bohemians have given permission for him to speak to other clubs and indeed he is currently in Norway with the PFAI team.”