Floriana FC-Roddy Collins-Cork City FC-Clarification
Floriana Statement
Quote:
Due to recent speculation in the Irish media regarding the future of our Coach, Mr. Roddy Collins, the club wish to state the following:
1. According to Mr. Tom Coughlan, owner of Cork City FC and Mr. Liam Meaney, General Manager of Cork City FC, they began speaking with our Coach before any intention was indicated that Mr. Collins was looking to leave the club. In fact when this came to light last Friday night, following a report in the Cork Evening Echo, Mr. Collins strenuously denied and completely contradicted the report as a pure rumour and furhter refuted having met with anybody in Cork City in relation to becoming their new manager. This was confirmed by Mr. Collins to members of our Executive and Committee.
2. Floriana Football Club have always, as acknowledged by Mr. Collins, fulfilled their contractual obligations with our Coach and indeed had informed him that not alone was he secure until the end of the season 2009-10, but also that we wished to activate his 2 year extension clause with immediate effect, both as per Mr. Collins request, prior to the article in the Evening Echo.
3. At no time have Cork City FC requested permission from Floriana FC to speak to our Coach and have refused to respond to any phonecalls, faxes or emails requesting information regarding these now confirmed meetings since Saturday morning until today.
4. Mr. Collins returned to Ireland on Sunday 13.12.09 to organise bringing his family back over to Malta again and preparations were indeed made by Mr. Collins just a week previously to have them housed (at the club’s expense) in the SAS Radisson, St. Julians, throughout the Christmas period while looking for a new family home in Malta, having dropped the lease on their previous home in October.
5. Mr. Collins was due to report for duty today in advance of tomorrow's game with Qormi FC and remains under contract to Floriana FC until further notice.
We appreciate the recovery Mr. Collins has made in his career with Floriana FC, from a shaky start he has moulded a strong team and is unbeaten in 7 games. We are surprised that Cork City FC would approach a Coach already under contract and are disappointed that they would behave in such an underhanded, illegal and immoral manner. We will continue to contact them so that they can explain their position and actions. However since they seem to have a very uncertain and bleak future, despite the committment of their loyal and long suffering fans, this current absence of communication bodes ill for their and Mr. Collins future prospects should the media reports prove to be true.
Issued by the Joint Executive and General Committee of Floriana Football Club - 17.12.09