London dispense with manager role

[Caid]

The London County Board have decided against appointing a manager for their senior football side next year, instead opting for just three selectors.

This decision has not gone down well with delegates, with one person exclaiming at a recent meeting: 'it stinks' and 'it will set London football back 20 years.'

The players would appear to be of the same view: 'It's an absolute farce. Football in London will go down the pan,' fumed Paul Hehir, London's most famous homegrown player.

'When Croke Park see this set-up they're going to laugh at us, ask what the point is in paying for teams to travel over and back when London can't get their finger out.

'They'll throw us out of the championship, those players won't have a platform to show their talents and will walk away, and all the efforts made in bringing through homegrown players will be gone to waste."

A committee had been appointed to appoint the 2010 manager after last season's Championship exit at the hands of Down.

But despite three candidates being put forward, including Noel Dunning who took charge of the last five seasons, and interviews taking place, the Board opted for a committee system similar to the one employed by London's hurlers.

This decision came despite Dunning having the backing of the clubs, who voted 15-6 in favour of the incumbent, but with the management committee's vote counting for 12 they had the casting vote.

Chairman Tommy Harrell defended the board's actions, initially insisting the snub to Dunning wasn't personal but he then launched a stinging attack on the outgoing manager.

'At the start of the year 45 people were attending training and despite repeated requests (to reduce it) that continued for quite a long time, which incurred costs between meals and providing everyone with training gear,' explained Harrell.

'The other point made at management was that Noel had no respect for any of the principal officers, and in dealing with the team it was always an anti-county board feeling; it was them and us.'

From RTE

[No way ref]

interesting to hear opinions from any posters who had dealings with both dunning and harrell. irunthev are you out there

[passedit]

The London County Board have decided against appointing a manager for their senior football side next year, instead opting for just three selectors.

This decision has not gone down well with delegates, with one person exclaiming at a recent meeting: 'it stinks' and 'it will set London football back 20 years.'

The players would appear to be of the same view: 'It's an absolute farce. Football in London will go down the pan,' fumed Paul Hehir, London's most famous homegrown player.

'When Croke Park see this set-up they're going to laugh at us, ask what the point is in paying for teams to travel over and back when London can't get their finger out.

'They'll throw us out of the championship, those players won't have a platform to show their talents and will walk away, and all the efforts made in bringing through homegrown players will be gone to waste."

A committee had been appointed to appoint the 2010 manager after last season's Championship exit at the hands of Down.

But despite three candidates being put forward, including Noel Dunning who took charge of the last five seasons, and interviews taking place, the Board opted for a committee system similar to the one employed by London's hurlers.

This decision came despite Dunning having the backing of the clubs, who voted 15-6 in favour of the incumbent, but with the management committee's vote counting for 12 they had the casting vote.

Chairman Tommy Harrell defended the board's actions, initially insisting the snub to Dunning wasn't personal but he then launched a stinging attack on the outgoing manager.

'At the start of the year 45 people were attending training and despite repeated requests (to reduce it) that continued for quite a long time, which incurred costs between meals and providing everyone with training gear,' explained Harrell.

'The other point made at management was that Noel had no respect for any of the principal officers, and in dealing with the team it was always an anti-county board feeling; it was them and us.'

From RTE

I don't know Noel at all, but it appears to me that he is a sound judge of character.

[irunthev]

Noel was actually the third longest serving manger on the inter-county circuit behind Harte and Seamus McEneaney so he deserves credit for his commitment.
Managing London is a thankless task and success has to be measured relatively. In London, with the transient nature of players, there is absolutely no chance of undertaking a realistic three year team development programme. The average number of players used by London each year is over 40 with most of those being no where near what would be considered county standard and many making their debuts at inter-county level, so the chances of actually creating a competitive team are slim to none.The retention rate of players year on year rarely reaches 50% and is often down around 25%.
Noel did as well as manager of London as anyone had done previously but he did spend too much time and energy falling out with the main men in the CB. They bided their time and with money being short in London as it is everywhere else, they decided that they couldn't afford another year of Noel Dunning as manager. The Treasurer of the Board told the CB meeting last week in front of everyone that Noel had absolutely no respect for money.
The other two candidates who went for the job were Brian Grealish (brother of Tony Grealish ex Irish soccer player) and Bernie McMenaman (brother of former Mayo player Colm). Neither would have any real serious managerial pedigree and were not considered to be suitable candidates. Having said that, prior to his appointment five years ago, Noel had no experience at all either and the options were as poor then as they are now.
There are no obvious candidates either for the managers job, should it become available again or for the three man committee either.
The idea of the committee is a nonsense because the players need to know who the boss is. London tried it before back in 2002 out of necessity and it was a disaster and the experiment ended after four games, nothing would suggest that it will be any different this time around.
Noel resigned twice when he was manager, once after a fall out with the CB in 2005 and again at the end of 2008 having served four years. My feeling is that he should have stayed away after the 2008 season. He had done his bit and it was time for a new voice.
The right thing for him to do now is to walk away with dignity. Pursuing the matter any further now would only be about his wounded pride and damaged ego.

[passedit]

I hear that three of last years management team (including Dunning) have bee nominated as selectors. Bit of value to be had out of this yet.

[irunthev]

I hear that three of last years management team (including Dunning) have bee nominated as selectors. Bit of value to be had out of this yet.

Your man on board is he?

[thejuice]

I don't know if there is any truth in this but read that Pat Spillane may actually manage London. In fact it doesnt seem remotely true but would be interesting all the same if it came about. Wonder how long would it take him to get them playing 'pure' football.

[yellowcard]

I don't know if there is any truth in this but read that Pat Spillane may actually manage London. In fact it doesnt seem remotely true but would be interesting all the same if it came about. Wonder how long would it take him to get them playing 'pure' football.

Considering that Spillane called on New York and London to be excluded from the championship in a recent Sunday World column, I'd say thats absolute horse manure.