IRELAND:WITH PAUL Doolin having moved from Drogheda United to Cork City a few weeks back, former City boss Alan Mathews moved in the opposite direction yesterday when he was unveiled as manager of the 2007 league champions.
Fresh out of examinership, Drogheda moved quickly to get Mathews in place and by yesterday afternoon the new man was working the phones hard in an attempt to assemble a squad for the coming campaign.
“It’s a much reduced budget,” he said, “but there are a lot of players out of work just now and despite everything the club has been through lately, we’ve got good facilities up here, a good youth set-up, great support and we’re accessible to Dublin.
“I’m looking to get lads in training as quickly as possible and I’m confident we’ll be in a position to put a strong team together in time for the start of the league. It won’t be like Cork where you were working with international players and challenging for leagues and cups, that wouldn’t be comparing like with like at all because this club did that too and almost bankrupted itself in the process.
“The intention during the coming year is to consolidate, to get the on-field side of the club on a sound footing again.”
Mathews has been in dispute with Cork City since being let go shortly after the end of last season despite having guided the team to Setanta Cup success shortly after it too emerged from examinership. He said yesterday, however, he believes things are moving towards a resolution and that, after a few months away from the game, he is very glad to be working in football again: “This is what I love doing and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into what will be another big challenge.”
Mathews is not sure which division United will be playing in when the campaign gets under way early next month but there is a good deal of optimism around the club that the licence required to retain top-flight status can be acquired despite all of the recent problems.
“They’ve handed in all the financial stuff and that’s all above board,” says Mathews, “while the other outstanding issue is the number of seats at United Park, but as far as I’m aware that is being addressed at present so hopefully we’ll be okay.”
The FAI owns United Park and chief executive John Delaney confirmed last month it was likely to make the changes required to bring the ground up to Premier Division standards in the event the club emerged successfully from its financial crisis.
If the club fails to obtain a licence then Finn Harps would be first in line to take its place in the top flight although there have also been suggestions UCD might end up being offered a reprieve from relegation due to the Donegal club’s own off-field difficulties.
The other relegated team, Cobh Ramblers, are expected to granted only an A league licence for the coming season.
