Chairman responds to player stories

The Ards board have moved to clarify the club's financial position in light of reports in Tuesday's press that players may have to leave the club.

Chairman Brian Adams

Chairman Brian Adams has confirmed that he held a meeting with all the available squad members and backroom staff on Saturday past, when the players were told that there was a shortfall in wages.

The chairman explained, "With the poor weather at the moment, our income has suffered because of postponements and that led us to inform the players that a week's wages would have to be deferred. The majority of the team were very understanding of this, and a number of our very loyal players were quick to say that they wouldn't even be considering leaving. Indeed, a number of players have offered to help put on a fund-raising event.

"No player indicated any serious unhappiness at the time, although we did tell them that if anyone wanted to go, then we would make them available as we had not been able to fully honour their contracts."

Tuesday's Belfast Telegraph article named midfielder Dee Irvine and striker Darren Fitzgerald as two players who had subsequently decided they would like to look for other clubs, though Brian Adams was keen to clarify their position.

"No player has been released," he confirmed, "However if players are unhappy and there is interest from other clubs, then we will make those players available."

The chairman stressed that there had been no plans to release players, and the current problems are purely down to the lack of home fixtures over recent weeks.

"The club continues to move forward, aiming to be back in Newtownards, playing at a council-developed stadium in the near future. The board and our manager Tommy Kincaid are fully committed to this plan."

5th January 2010