Athlone Town FC issues statement

ATHLONE Town FC has released the following statement in response to the decision on Wednesday of last season’s manager, Roddy Collins, to withdraw from the process of appointing a manager for the 2014 season:

“The club is disappointed with the recent decision of Roddy Collins and his expression of being no longer interested in the managerial position for Athlone Town A.F.C. for the forthcoming 2014 season.
It was hoped by the committee that Roddy would remain on for at least a further year but he took the club by surprise in requesting his P45 and Letter of Severance before the final game of the season. Thereafter, clarification was sought as to the intentions of Roddy and at which time the Chairman was informed that all future discussions and negotiations were to be conducted through Roddy’s agent, Brian Delahunty, of Delahunty Solicitors, Dublin. His email address was forwarded to the Chairman by Roddy on the 21st October, 2013. Same requested details be forwarded to his agent and when a request was made as to what details were to be forwarded, it was made clear to Roddy that the club will not discuss or send details of its budgets or any other matters pertaining to football to any third parties. Roddy was advised that the club would engage with his agent to discuss his personal terms if he so choose.

Prior to the end of the season and with approximately six weeks remaining of the 2013 campaign Roddy was requested to put his visions for the club going forward as a premier club to the Chairman for consideration by the Committee but he ultimately failed to do so on a number of occasions. His budgetary expectations were requested and at no time after the end of the season did he or his agent make contact with the club for the purpose of bringing matters to a conclusion. Further, in light of the fact that Roddy was linked in the media to a number of managerial vacancies same led to our belief that there was an unwillingness or an inability on the part of Roddy to commit to the club.

A meeting took place between the respective parties in the Spa Hotel, Dublin, on Monday the 4th of November, against a background of knowledge that Roddy had met with representatives of Sligo Rovers and Derry City on the back of his already expressed interest in the Cork City vacancy. The concerns of the club were outlined to him and at all times, it was known by him that he was never to be a candidate as the job was his if he wanted it subject to agreement on a number of matters including player ratios and budget. It was against this ground that Roddy at that meeting was informed that the club would have to engage in a process of inviting expressions of interest for the managerial position and prior to any such action being taken, it was hoped a commitment would be forthcoming however thereafter, he didn’t engage or commit. Roddy throughout this process retained our club phone and did so until after his decision to withdraw and same is clearly indicative of the club’s hope and aspirations that a deal could be arrived at.

We thank Roddy and his team for the hard work, the achievements, and the bringing of the first division title to Athlone in what was truly a great season for all concerned and we wish him well in his future endeavours. Roddy will always be regarded as a friend of Athlone and will always remain dear to the hearts of our supporters.

John Hayden
Chairman
A.T.A.F.C.”

*The club is due to hold a consultation process with prospective new managers today (Friday), with the intention of announcing news on the new management team next Monday.