FAI secretary Bernard O'Byrne yesterday dismissed the meetings held by Wimbledon chairman Sam Hammam and a number of National League clubs over the last few days as "an extremely unsubtle attempt to divide and conquer." "We've seen it all before, there have been other meetings, and I don't think these latest ones are going to make any difference to the overall situation," said O'Byrne. "The fact is that every time the clubs all get together to discuss the situation every one of them expresses their opposition and I believe that will be the case the next time too."
Hamman, on the other hand, said he and property developer Owen O'Callaghan have been given a positive response by 10 clubs including Limerick, Athlone and Drogheda although in at least two of these cases the meetings seem to have been undertaken without the knowledge of the club's full board.
The Wimbledon boss, who last week turned down the offer of a move to a redeveloped greyhound stadium in Merton, said he was "encouraged" by the reaction to his visit with several clubs reported to be enthusiastic about the idea but it remains to be seen whether any club will openly break ranks and adopt policy in favour of the proposed move over the coming weeks. The first test will come on Monday week when the board of Athlone will meet to discuss the issue.
O'Byrne expressed his disappointment that that club's Secretary had announced his intention to resign as a result of the meeting with Hammam having taken place without his knowledge. "It would be a terrible thing if senior football here was to lose men like Jack over this issue."
The FAI chief also countered claims from the Wimbledon camp that there is widespread support from clubs across the water for the proposed relocation.
"Sam has," said O'Byrne "quite a bit of selling left to do on this at home, never mind over here. We are well aware from our contacts with clubs there that there is a considerable amount of opposition to this whole scheme. These past couple of days have just been the latest bout of carrot waving in the saga."
