Nottingham Fox
Moderator
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Posted on: Fri 31 Aug 2007
This has been an extremely difficult few days for the football club and our loyal supporters. For those of you that know me well I have always attempted to be transparent and open about every issue that directly affects the club on and off the field.
Obviously the events of Tuesday night at Nottingham Forest were distressing enough for all concerned when our first team player Clive Clarke collapsed in the dressing room at half-time and required emergency medical assistance to keep him alive.
I am somewhat relieved to report that Clive is making steady progress and I'm sure everyone connected with this football club wishes him well and a rapid recovery.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear those unfortunate circumstances bore no relation to the subsequent departure of Martin Allen and his coaching staff the following day.
As you may have noted on the club's website earlier today we have initiated legal proceedings against a national newspaper following a disgraceful and inaccurate article that attempted to tie the two incidents together.
Such reporting is an absolute disgrace. At no time did the reporter connected with the story attempt to clarify any of the accusations made in the article and if he had the report would never have been published.
I am not naive and are well aware that people read this and assume it has credibility when none exists.
Our medical team and the emergency services were heroic and undoubtedly saved Clive's life.
At no time did Martin Allen give the player mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Our physio Dave Rennie and fitness coach Damien Doyle administered that.
So to suggest I ruthlessly sacked a manger hours after he saved a players life is nothing short of a disgrace. In no way am I attempting to downplay people's involvement including Martin's.
I am indebted to them for the swift action they took, they are and will remain heroes in my book.
It puts the game of football in perspective when something like this happens. Life is an invaluable commodity and we should all cherish that.
Needless to say the two incidents involving Clive and Martin are unrelated. As you may be aware we have had to sign a confidentiality agreement with Martin.
It pains me to say that it protects both parties but at the same time prevents any kind of transparency.
I am well aware that as a result of this, speculation about Martin's departure has been rife. We have received letters of support at the club and letters of criticism.
The truth is we may never be in a position to elaborate on the reasons we felt it would be in the best interest of the club if both parties went there separate ways.
Legal issues prevent me from talking any further which prompted the club to issue a swift but brief statement on Wednesday night.
My only regret is that I didn't act before Wednesday. I gave serious thought to taking the decision on Sunday and with the benefit of hindsight I wish I had.
The most important thing is this football club and it's supporters. Chairman, managers, players and staff will come and go but the club and it's following will always remain.
I have maintained throughout my brief tenure at the club that unity and trust must prevail. Everything becomes pointless without it.
I will not refrain from taking difficult decisions if I believe it's in the best interest of the football club.
And if I have to part company with 20 mangers to ensure I bring top-flight football back to the Walkers Stadium you can rest assure I'll do it.
I have asked for one thing from the supporters, trust. And in trying and difficult times I implore you to back my judgment move on and get right behind the team.
Without prevailing unity this club cannot function so it's imperative we stand together and work toward our goal of promotion this season.
I close by making it clear that the search to find a new manager is under way. But contrary to claims there is no short-list or stand out candidate about to be appointed.
Obviously the media will speculate and continue to do so. But when we are in a position to make any formal announcement the supporters will be the first to know.
Milan Mandaric
Posted on: Fri 31 Aug 2007
This has been an extremely difficult few days for the football club and our loyal supporters. For those of you that know me well I have always attempted to be transparent and open about every issue that directly affects the club on and off the field.
Obviously the events of Tuesday night at Nottingham Forest were distressing enough for all concerned when our first team player Clive Clarke collapsed in the dressing room at half-time and required emergency medical assistance to keep him alive.
I am somewhat relieved to report that Clive is making steady progress and I'm sure everyone connected with this football club wishes him well and a rapid recovery.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear those unfortunate circumstances bore no relation to the subsequent departure of Martin Allen and his coaching staff the following day.
As you may have noted on the club's website earlier today we have initiated legal proceedings against a national newspaper following a disgraceful and inaccurate article that attempted to tie the two incidents together.
Such reporting is an absolute disgrace. At no time did the reporter connected with the story attempt to clarify any of the accusations made in the article and if he had the report would never have been published.
I am not naive and are well aware that people read this and assume it has credibility when none exists.
Our medical team and the emergency services were heroic and undoubtedly saved Clive's life.
At no time did Martin Allen give the player mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Our physio Dave Rennie and fitness coach Damien Doyle administered that.
So to suggest I ruthlessly sacked a manger hours after he saved a players life is nothing short of a disgrace. In no way am I attempting to downplay people's involvement including Martin's.
I am indebted to them for the swift action they took, they are and will remain heroes in my book.
It puts the game of football in perspective when something like this happens. Life is an invaluable commodity and we should all cherish that.
Needless to say the two incidents involving Clive and Martin are unrelated. As you may be aware we have had to sign a confidentiality agreement with Martin.
It pains me to say that it protects both parties but at the same time prevents any kind of transparency.
I am well aware that as a result of this, speculation about Martin's departure has been rife. We have received letters of support at the club and letters of criticism.
The truth is we may never be in a position to elaborate on the reasons we felt it would be in the best interest of the club if both parties went there separate ways.
Legal issues prevent me from talking any further which prompted the club to issue a swift but brief statement on Wednesday night.
My only regret is that I didn't act before Wednesday. I gave serious thought to taking the decision on Sunday and with the benefit of hindsight I wish I had.
The most important thing is this football club and it's supporters. Chairman, managers, players and staff will come and go but the club and it's following will always remain.
I have maintained throughout my brief tenure at the club that unity and trust must prevail. Everything becomes pointless without it.
I will not refrain from taking difficult decisions if I believe it's in the best interest of the football club.
And if I have to part company with 20 mangers to ensure I bring top-flight football back to the Walkers Stadium you can rest assure I'll do it.
I have asked for one thing from the supporters, trust. And in trying and difficult times I implore you to back my judgment move on and get right behind the team.
Without prevailing unity this club cannot function so it's imperative we stand together and work toward our goal of promotion this season.
I close by making it clear that the search to find a new manager is under way. But contrary to claims there is no short-list or stand out candidate about to be appointed.
Obviously the media will speculate and continue to do so. But when we are in a position to make any formal announcement the supporters will be the first to know.
Milan Mandaric
