Harps management team depart.

**Sam_Heggy** · 25/04/2011, 9:45 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

I see that Sean McGowan is linked with it heavily. He was caretaker boss for ye a few years back I believe.Is he any relation to the bold Patsy??

Wizard would be class but it'll not happen. He is thankfully nothing to the nutjob on the hill.

A huge amount of interest in the post Im told. A few big names too but with our financial situation I can't see how the board could take them on.

Im told that another 2 managers threw their name into the hat this evening on top of the big list already in there.

Will be an interesting week or so at the club. Meanwhile, A League manager Paddy Foy and Kevin McHugh will take charge of the side in Tolka Park on Fri night.

**cestlavie** · 26/04/2011, 5:59 PM

I would say its the last throw of the dice for Harps. Whatever manager comes in they will be fire fighting as per usual. It was clear that James was an inexperienced manager but he did try his best and done alot behind the scenes. It certainly wasnt due to lack of effort or preperation that led to this. Not sure that enough quality exists within the team.

The board had expected Anthony Gorman to stay on to hold the fort until a new manager could be appointed. He decided to leave when he heard that James was being let go. Harps now left with no management team, nobody with any experience of management at league of Ireland level. Nothing to loose on Friday night as everybody expects them to loose but you never know football is a strange game and Harps could surprise everyone. Cant see it to be honest, wont be putting any cash on it.

Some of the people being mooted to be the next manager hopefully will not come to fruition.

**Sam_Heggy** · 26/04/2011, 6:14 PM

Originally Posted by cestlavie

I would say its the last throw of the dice for Harps. Whatever manager comes in they will be fire fighting as per usual. It was clear that James was an inexperienced manager but he did try his best and done alot behind the scenes. It certainly wasnt due to lack of effort or preperation that led to this. Not sure that enough quality exists within the team.

The board had expected Anthony Gorman to stay on to hold the fort until a new manager could be appointed. He decided to leave when he heard that James was being let go. Harps now left with no management team, nobody with any experience of management at league of Ireland level. Nothing to loose on Friday night as everybody expects them to loose but you never know football is a strange game and Harps could surprise everyone. Cant see it to be honest, wont be putting any cash on it.

Some of the people being mooted to be the next manager hopefully will not come to fruition.

Bullsh!t.

**cestlavie** · 26/04/2011, 6:57 PM

If its bull**** my friend, Why did Paddy Foy not know anything about taking training until the end of the weekend???? If they had plans in place, Who had they envisaged would look after the team when James was been sacked???? Waiting to hear some bull**** coming back from you now. Are you saying that the assitant manager was sacked????? Enlighten us.

This is coming from somebody who is touting Wizzy Mc Gowan for the job. Get real. Then maybe I am being harsh and you are being realistic about it all the same, Wizzy is about all they will be able to afford. If they go down that road, time to shut up shop.

**fbtn** · 26/04/2011, 7:35 PM

From what I know of the situation James and Anthony were let go late on Friday night. The club released a statement on Saturday. They informed Paddy on Sunday that he would be taking the side against Shels.

The board interviewed quite a few people on Saturday and Sunday. The chairman is quoted in the paper as saying that they now have a shortlist of 6. There could have been someone in place before the weekend was over if they felt they got the right man. Maybe that was the reason they didn't ask Paddy to take training in case they had already given someone the job. No big conspiracy.

And yes. The assistant manager was sacked if that is what you are asking.

Very disrespectful to Wizzy by the way. A man that has given a large part of his life to Harps and local football in general. If we had more people with his work ethic and passion for the club then I doubt we'd be where we are in the table.

**cheifo** · 26/04/2011, 7:44 PM

Easy Boys! Speculation and the rumour mill are time honoured traditions of Football.

Everyone has their own opinion on who should and shouldn't get the job but there will be financial and other considerations to be taken into account.

We need a good Management Team to be put in place plus an announcement on work on New Stadium recommencing.

These at least will give the Club a sense that we are building for the future.

The obituary of the Good Ship Finn Harps has been written umpteen times - other Clubs have come and gone (and come again!)- yet she keeps on sailing.

Shelbourne on Friday is a huge ask but as you say you never know!

**cestlavie** · 26/04/2011, 7:54 PM

Fair enough lads and I take your point about the time and effort put in by Wizzy in the past but dont think he will be the solution but thats my opinion but could be wrong and I will hold my hands up If I am. FYI: I dont think that the assistant manager was sacked, I have heard reliably that he wasnt prepared to stay on but you would need the members of the board to confirm that as they did not clarify that happened but maybe you have your ear to the ground and know better. Anyway, heres to the future. We will see what happens.

**Sam_Heggy** · 26/04/2011, 8:24 PM

Cestlavie - do you think Anthony was the right man for the Harps job? If so, what reasons? If not, who is?
Honest questions.

**nigel-harps1954** · 26/04/2011, 9:24 PM

Originally Posted by cestlavie

Fair enough lads and I take your point about the time and effort put in by Wizzy in the past but dont think he will be the solution but thats my opinion but could be wrong and I will hold my hands up If I am. FYI: I dont think that the assistant manager was sacked, I have heard reliably that he wasnt prepared to stay on but you would need the members of the board to confirm that as they did not clarify that happened but maybe you have your ear to the ground and know better. Anyway, heres to the future. We will see what happens.

The Chairman of the club came out and said BOTH James and Anthony were let go by the club. It wasn't just James. What reliable sources tell you otherwise if you'd care to share?

You are being very harsh on Wizzard. The man was assistant on a few occasions for different managers and held the caretaker managers position a few times. Most fans at the club would welcome a decision to appoint him I'm sure. He's one of the most respected coaches around the county and a top notch guy. He has more experience in LOI football than a lot of the guys in the league at the moment.

**cestlavie** · 26/04/2011, 9:57 PM

Think they said that they had met and had decided to replace the manager and they told James after the game but they had come to a decision on the Thursday night that he was to be removed. Dont think they said that Gorman was let go, in fact they said very little about that even when asked on Highland as far as I can remember. Gorman left on his own accord, he wasnt sacked. Its just a simple point but that is the facts. They had wanted him to stay on until a new manager was appointed. Perhaps players like O'Grady may not have been attracted to the club if it wasnt for him.

I think the club should go to the wall and start afresh. It hasnt done Derry, Shels or Cork any real harm. Perhaps a new club based on something like Cork or Shamrock Rovers model is what is needed. We should also have a good look at Sligo Rovers. It wasnt too long ago they were out with the begging bowl too. It going to be a tough job for whoever comes in as they interest isnt really their anymore no matter how much I try to fool myself, people couldnt give a flying fook about going to matches. People are far too lazy nad unwilling to spend hard earned cash watching players who are not good enough pure and simple and who could blame them. People go to football to get away from the big bad world and they come back worse than ever after being at places like FinnPark.

So who do reckon will be the next manager????

**fbtn** · 26/04/2011, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by cestlavie

Think they said that they had met and had decided to replace the manager and they told James after the game but they had come to a decision on the Thursday night that he was to be removed. Dont think they said that Gorman was let go, in fact they said very little about that even when asked on Highland as far as I can remember. Gorman left on his own accord, he wasnt sacked. Its just a simple point but that is the facts. They had wanted him to stay on until a new manager was appointed. Perhaps players like O'Grady may not have been attracted to the club if it wasnt for him.

I think the club should go to the wall and start afresh. It hasnt done Derry, Shels or Cork any real harm. Perhaps a new club based on something like Cork or Shamrock Rovers model is what is needed. We should also have a good look at Sligo Rovers. It wasnt too long ago they were out with the begging bowl too. It going to be a tough job for whoever comes in as they interest isnt really their anymore no matter how much I try to fool myself, people couldnt give a flying fook about going to matches. People are far too lazy nad unwilling to spend hard earned cash watching players who are not good enough pure and simple and who could blame them. People go to football to get away from the big bad world and they come back worse than ever after being at places like FinnPark.

So who do reckon will be the next manager????

Jeez aren't you the cheery chappy

Harps, Rovers and Cork are all based on a similar model in that we are owned and run by the fans. You buy a share, you can get voted onto the board. The club are steady looking for new people to join the board, help out on match days, coaching etc etc. It isn't the model that is the problem its the lack of volunteers.

We won't go to the wall if we can help it. Most of the money we owe is to local creditors, that is why people are busting a gut to pay our debts.

The diggers are back on the site of the new stadium. It has been long and frustrating waiting for the grant money but it will be worth it.

There is plenty of interest in Harps when we are going well. The fact we have been watching brock for the last few years hasn't helped but hopefully a new manager with new ideas can make some progress.

By the way, I never went to football in my life to get away from the big bad world. If that was the case we would all support Man U and Barca. I go because I like football and you support your team. Especially when they are doing ****. Like everything, its easy when its going well. But when its backs against the wall some people will walk away while others roll up their sleeves and try and make things better.

**cheifo** · 26/04/2011, 10:37 PM

The parting seemed amicable so its better to leave it at that.

Finn Harps can't do the fold up and start up again like Derry etc. The Legalities involved in putting New Stadium Project together all come under the Co-op entity.

**avvenalaf** · 26/04/2011, 10:57 PM

I said here, last year, that I couldn't believe the small crowd at Finn Park for the cup match with Rovers and that i had never seen a worse team play for Harps and, naturally, I was booed of the pitch.
Harps will always have a problem getting a decent side together while Derry City exist and I's say Conor is kicking himself now for not going to longford Town.
However, it could be worse for Harps. Roddy Collins could have been available.

**fbtn** · 26/04/2011, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by avvenalaf

I said here, last year, that I couldn't believe the small crowd at Finn Park for the cup match with Rovers and that i had never seen a worse team play for Harps and, naturally, I was booed of the pitch.
Harps will always have a problem getting a decent side together while Derry City exist and I's say Conor is kicking himself now for not going to longford Town.
However, it could be worse for Harps. Roddy Collins could have been available.

Without wanting to sound confrontational, do you have a point?

The game you mention in the cup, that you never seen a worse team play for Harps? As I remember Sligo were very fortunate to beat us, only for an early penalty.

Harps are in the process of rebuilding and it will take some time but we'll get there. For the first half of the decade, Sligo weren't competing in the top half of the First Division. I was living there at the time and the crowds were shocking. When we won the division in 2004, I think Sligo finished 7th or 8th. They then won it the following year. It goes to show that things can change pretty quickly in football with the right person in charge.

**harps1954** · 27/04/2011, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by cestlavie

Gorman left on his own accord, he wasnt sacked. They had wanted him to stay on until a new manager was appointed.

Gorman was sacked - FACT.
Gorman was not wanted to stay on until a new manager was appointed - FACT.
The board felt Gorman was a huge part of the reason to our current form/position - FACT.
Again, Gorman was sacked - THIS IS FACT.

If you want, ask Gorman if he was sacked. Ask him if the board wanted him to stay on in the short-term. You will find out that he was let go, same as James. There is no way the board wanted Gorman in charge, for even one game, after his disastrous spell as Manager a few years ago.

Oh, and by the way, I have had the above about Gorman confirmed to me by a member of the Harps board.

**Dublin Red** · 27/04/2011, 12:01 PM

Harps should do what we do and look across the water for a new man. Someone eager to make it as a manager but hasn't gone right for him over in England. Its the way forward. Probably get someone on the cheap too. Roy Keane?

**Sam_Heggy** · 27/04/2011, 12:03 PM

FINALLY, a reason for Harps fans to have an argument on here. All this Bohs v Sligo, Rovers v Sligo, Bohs v Rovers stuff was getting on my nerves.
Harps v Harps, now we're hit the big time lads, revel in it

**cestlavie** · 27/04/2011, 12:32 PM

I do remember that Cup game with Sligo and we chased shadows in the first half but Sligo were delighted to get out of the second half with a 1 nil. At the end of the day, the rest is history for Sligo.

Harps1954: The only true thing about your facts are that your not being factual which is a problem. The true FACT is that the board did not have plans in place for this week if Gorman was too leave FACT. We were left with shambolic situation with nobody to look after the team FACT. Paddy Foy was only asked on Sunday FACT. Doesnt sound like a plan coming together to me. This would cause me concern especially in regards to the future appointment of a new management team.

Re: Crowds will come out if Harps are doing well.

Yes, you would see an improvement but not like the days gone bye, the same amount of interest is not their anymore. Harps especially in the past have always been a club happier to be fighting for the top of Division 1 rather than being bottom of the Premiership as they know the possibility of getting better crowds exists being top of division 1, so when you have that mentality Harps will never go anywhere fast.

The very future of the club is on the line. They had better get this one rite.

**SkStu** · 27/04/2011, 2:11 PM

Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy

FINALLY, a reason for Harps fans to have an argument on here. All this Bohs v Sligo, Rovers v Sligo, Bohs v Rovers stuff was getting on my nerves.
Harps v Harps, now we're hit the big time lads, revel in it

Bohs v. Sligo?

Unless you want a bit of Bohs v. Harps stuff you better check yo facts.

**bluemovie** · 27/04/2011, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy

FINALLY, a reason for Harps fans to have an argument on here. All this Bohs v Sligo, Rovers v Sligo, Bohs v Rovers stuff was getting on my nerves.
Harps v Harps, now we're hit the big time lads, revel in it

I'm not used to Harps fans being angry. Can't quite take it seriously. It probably doesn't help that I read all those posts in a Daniel O'Donnell/Gift Grub accent