Stephen Kenny signs contract with 'new' Derry City

[MariborKev]

Given the criticism of him in many quarters, what do people make of him staying on?

I would have let him walk and I wouldn't have shed any tears over it.

[OneRedArmy]

We needed a clean page IMO. Too much baggage with Kenny.

Figuratively and literally.

[tiktok]

Who has signed him? Who sits on this steering committee and how did they get their roles?

[OneRedArmy]

Who has signed him? Who sits on this steering committee and how did they get their roles?They sat down and talked about it presumably? :confused:

[tiktok]

They sat down and talked about it presumably? :confused:

Maybe my question wasn't clear.

What was the process by which this steering committee was pulled together and registered a new Derry City FC Company. Is there supporter involvement, do you even know who's on the committee, did the FAI stick their oar in? I'm just curious.

[OneRedArmy]

Maybe my question wasn't clear.

What was the process by which this steering committee was pulled together and registered a new Derry City FC Company. Is there supporter involvement, do you even know who's on the committee, did the FAI stick their oar in? I'm just curious.
The FAI met with members of the Group, and separately with fans representatives, a few weeks ago.

[Buile Shuibhne]

The press release refers a few times to the new Derry playing in the First Div next season.

The closing date for licence applications was Oct 31st last.
http://www.loi.ie/index.php/about/club-licensing/faqs

The new Derry can't have applied for a licence yet.

Has John Delaney & Co promised them a licence anyway - regardless of the Independent Licencing Cmtee and the set procedures and timescales?

[Ezeikial]

As of this morning, Stephen Kenny had not actually signed a contract with anyone - not that it really matters, as he clearly intends to complete the necessary paperwork.

In many ways his decision to stay with Derry is hard to understand as opposed to taking up Dundalks offer - accepting a substantial lower offer at Derry, with a modest budget presumably, possibility of spending the next 2 years in the Discover Ireland league, and all this without the certainty of Derry actually being in the league etc

Even the attraction of the family being settled locally, while obviously a factor, is hardly the biggest issue.Stephen Kenny is obviously a decent guy, with a high level of loyality and integrity - a quality that does not rear its head too often in football.

[Big Chief]

As of this morning, Stephen Kenny had not actually signed a contract with anyone - not that it really matters, as he clearly intends to complete the necessary paperwork.

In many ways his decision to stay with Derry is hard to understand as opposed to taking up Dundalks offer - accepting a substantial lower offer at Derry, with a modest budget presumably, possibility of spending the next 2 years in the Discover Ireland league, and all this without the certainty of Derry actually being in the league etc

Even the attraction of the family being settled locally, while obviously a factor, is hardly the biggest issue.Stephen Kenny is obviously a decent guy, with a high level of loyality and integrity - a quality that does not rear its head too often in football.

He may be a "decent guy" but by God I wouldn't let him within a million miles of a football club given the debt run up by Derry. I think managers are all to quick to completely wash their hands of the financial problems which they have helped to create. This is evident not only in the Derry scenario but also in Bohemians problems whilst Paul Doolin and financial problems seem to be inextricably linked. Its about time managers stopped prioritising their own career progression and reconnected to the real world and ceased their ridiculous demands like overnight stays and massive contracts for players.

Against this backdrop I think Derry are being very brave and they will need to keep him on a tight rein even if they do start to enjoy some success.

Finally I would echo the comments by other posters to the effect that the way Derry have been allowed to worm their way out of this situation with a minimum of punishment is very disappointing. Most of the clubs in the League and indeed the First Division are struggling to stay afloat due to a sea of debt but Derry are allowed to cancel £800,000 worth and start back only one divsion below that in which they had previously operated without the burden of creditors etc. Scant punishment! Would the FAI be so accomodating if other clubs went the same way? Highly doubtful!

[bennocelt]

He may be a "decent guy" but by God I wouldn't let him within a million miles of a football club given the debt run up by Derry. I think managers are all to quick to completely wash their hands of the financial problems which they have helped to create. This is evident not only in the Derry scenario but also in Bohemians problems whilst Paul Doolin and financial problems seem to be inextricably linked. Its about time managers stopped prioritising their own career progression and reconnected to the real world and ceased their ridiculous demands like overnight stays and massive contracts for players.

!

Might be true, but surely in his first reign he generated the club a nice few pay days what with the magnificent Euro runs?

[OneRedArmy]

Might be true, but surely in his first reign he generated the club a nice few pay days what with the magnificent Euro runs?Nope.

Cost us a fortune despite Euro runs, six transfer fees for McGinn, McCourt, Sammon, increased prize money for cups and league placings.

[bennocelt]

Nope.

Cost us a fortune despite Euro runs, six transfer fees for McGinn, McCourt, Sammon, increased prize money for cups and league placings.

But thats not his fault is it?

[dcfc_1928]

I have mixed feelings about SK staying on. It would probably have been better to start with a clean slate totally.

My preference would have been for Pizza to take on the role.

[OneRedArmy]

But thats not his fault is it?In the black and white world of t'internet where everything falls neatly into little boxes and people seek the simple answer wherever possible, probably not. You'd blame the board and leave it at that.

In reality, unless he's a moron, (and having met him quite a few times, he's far from that) he should have known what effects his demands regarding players, travelling arrangements etc. were having on the club.

As I've said before, I'd hold the board, manager, players and fans accountable (including myself). You can argue the percentages and the priority of responsibility, but nobody comes out of this looking good.

[John83]

As I've said before, I'd hold the board, manager, players and fans accountable (including myself). You can argue the percentages and the priority of responsibility, but nobody comes out of this looking good.
Whatever about moral obligations, the board is the only group out of that lot actually employed to make those financial decisions.

[OneRedArmy]

Whatever about moral obligations, the board is the only group out of that lot actually employed to make those financial decisions.The board aren't employees. I presume "responsible under company law" is what you mean.

[John83]

The board aren't employees. I presume "responsible under company law" is what you mean.
Sure. It's officially their function.

[twoenz]

I'm with Kev. Think that it's a new club and needs to be a new start in all aspects of the running of it. There's no board at the minute, there's a steering committee, and already we're jumping ahead of ourselves to the point that we've assumed we'll be in Europe in 3 years.

Not a good attitude.

[Martinho II]

I am surprised that Kenny is staying.. I assume that James Gallagher is the permanent Harps manager but if Kenny gets restless at Derry City he could always have the Harps job if his family are serious about staying in Donegal and Gallagher didnt get Harps job full time..

[brendy_éire]

...if Kenny gets restless at Derry City he could always have the Harps job if his family are serious about staying in Donegal and Gallagher didnt get Harps job full time..

I very much doubt he'd sign for Harps. Sligo or one of the IL teams would be much more likely if he still wanted to live in Donegal.

[Martinho II]

I very much doubt he'd sign for Harps. Sligo or one of the IL teams would be much more likely if he still wanted to live in Donegal.


well brendy eire theres a job here in Longford for him if it doesnt work out for him and for Gareth Cronin next season.. The travelling may be a problem though for him ...

[GM11]

FR DAMO - well it does happen everyday as businesses are collapsing all around the country and creditors are getting smoked.

give me any reason why a completely new company (non of the new board were part of wellvan) should take on the debts of Wellvan when it is clear that Wellvan have traded insolvent for a long period and deceived everyone. these guys deserve to come in with a clean slate and bring football back to the city.

dont get me wrong i feel sorry for the creditors and i hope the directors of wellvan get the book thrown at them but it is their mess not the new guys coming in.

the club has to be run differently and within the rules and from what i have seen so far that will be the case. the alternative was that football died in derry because who in their right mind would come in and bail wellvan out to the tune of close to £1m?

[brendy_éire]

Derry News has an interview with Gerry Matthews saying that they offered Kenny "a substancial contract" but respected his decision.
Also stated that Dundalk will be looking across the water for a new manager.

[tiktok]

Also stated that Dundalk will be looking across the water for a new manager.

With the weather the way it is, even someone living across the road from Oriel Park could be considered to be 'across the water'.

[grayzer1888]

Best of luck to Kenny and Derry. Hope they get their 1st division licence and storm back into the premier division where they belong but they will need to build a squad of really hard working players to ensure promotion because the 1st division is tough at times.

[Derry]

I am surprised that Kenny is staying.. I assume that James Gallagher is the permanent Harps manager but if Kenny gets restless at Derry City he could always have the Harps job if his family are serious about staying in Donegal and Gallagher didnt get Harps job full time..

I'm sure your aware that Kenny may be living in Donegal, but he's a lot closer to Derry than he is to Ballybofey.

[Sam_Heggy]

I'm sure your aware that Kenny may be living in Donegal, but he's a lot closer to Derry than he is to Ballybofey.

Why would he be aware of that? :confused:

[MariborKev]

It has been mentioned several times in the thread.