Liam Daish to be offered new terms in light of Cambridge rumours…
Ebbsfleet United chairman Duncan Holt is working on a plan to put to MyFC members to offer a new contract to manager Liam Daish that will offer better security for both parties in the wake of media reports linking Liam to Cambridge United.
At the same time, the Fleet chairman has issued a statement regarding these links to counter the inaccuracies and potentially misleading comments made to the press by other parties’ in recent days.
"Ebbsfleet United are not in the habit of commenting on the affairs of other clubs, but when inaccurate comments are made about this club and its employees we feel we should put the record straight," Holt told MyFC members today.
"By now, you will all be aware George Rolls, the former chairman of Cambridge United, gave a lengthy interview on BBC Radio London’s Non League Show on Monday evening in which he ‘revealed’ details of the process he undertook to recruit a new manager for the club to replace Gary Brabin. During the interview he made a number of references to Ebbsfleet United and to Liam Daish.
"We feel that we have a responsibility to provide our owners with our view of Mr Rolls’ remarks and that they deserve some comment from EUFC. I am sure you will understand why we have taken time to make a considered response, as we had the game against Cambridge United and we did not feel our agenda should be driven by someone else.
"Cambridge United FC asked if they could speak to Liam when the job became vacant, and because they were looking to offer him the security of a three-year contract, he understandably wanted to see what they had to say. Liam Daish spoke to Cambridge and there were questions from Cambridge United FC regarding what compensation would be required by EUFC for his services. Liam wanted to talk to Cambridge United FC further and travelled to meet George Rolls. However, Mr Rolls did not turn up for the meeting and the same day Martin Ling was unveiled as manager.
"As Mr Rolls stated on the Cambridge United website, ‘He [Martin Ling] was our number one choice and I’m sure the fans will be very happy with the appointment, which shows our ambition by appointing a manager of such a high calibre.’ Martin Ling subsequently resigned nine days later, Mr Rolls then resigned as chairman and within days Martin Ling has been reinstated as manager. We do not believe that Mr Rolls’ comments since leaving Cambridge United merit a response. From conversations in the EUFC boardroom on Tuesday night, this is clearly an episode that both EUFC and Cambridge United wish to move on from.
"At the end of the day, we retained our excellent manager and he felt fairly treated in being allowed to explore another opportunity. What has recently purportedly happened at Cambridge United in terms of their relationship with incumbent and potential managers is at best odd, and it would not be fair for us to comment on their business practice. We recognise that Mr Rolls’ comments were his own and not those of Cambridge United Football Club with whom we have an excellent relationship."
