Soccer:Former Sligo Rovers manager Paul Cook has called on the stakeholders at the club to unite for the common good and put an end to public disputes.

The new Accrington Stanley manager, who spent nearly five years at Sligo, said in a statement posted on the club’s website, that “forums and constant in house fighting only go to damage and weaken the football club”.

His comments come after a clear-the-air meeting between the board and fans in Sligo last night, in which the direction of the club and the absence of compensation from Accrington Stanley for Cook were discussed.

“I have watched since the end of last season in my opinion constant fighting at management committee level and this has taken the club where we are today,” said Cook.

“Sligo Rovers is part of heartbeat of the town of Sligo and of the county and indeed the North West. And indeed a strong Sligo Rovers Football Club is vital to the community. Don’t do our fighting in public there is no winner in this.

“Don’t criticise and witch hunt people as people are only trying their best for the club. Being on the management committee is very difficult and at the last AGM not many people came forward willing to get involved.”

While some fans were calling for the reinstatement of former chairman Dermot Kelly last night, Cook insists it is “vital” former treasurer Vincent Nally should be involved in the club again. “He has the knowledge, respect and expertise to help take the club forward.”

Cook, who began his tenure at Accrington with a 4-0 defeat last weekend, also sought to clarify the compensation issue.

“I never, ever applied for a job at another club while I was the manager of Sligo Rovers and I never asked for the compensation to be dropped by Accrington Stanley.

“I don’t think my departure was handled the best by either myself or the management committee but that is now history. I only want to see the club go on and prosper.”

It is hoped Sligo’s hunt for a manager will be concluded before the first game of the season against Shelbourne on March 2nd.

Many of the usual suspects, like Damien Richardson and Johnny McDonnell, have been mooted, while former manager Willie McStay, who won three trophies with the Bit O’Red in the early 90s, could be in contention.