Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive
Bulleted!
TWO NORTH Ayrshire clubs axed their managers within the space of five days last week with John Redmond of Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Irvine Victoria counterpart Jim McMillan both being fired for disappointing starts to the new season.
Winton acted quickly, appointing former Gretna assistant manager and Ayr United striker Derek Frye on Friday night, just three days after ousting Redmond whileVics have installed assistant boss Mick McCallum as iterim manager.
This week Redmond in his third season in charge and McMillan, appointed only in June, reacted bitterly to their dismissals.
Winton have lost their three opening Stagecoach Ayrshire District league games after securing just four points in a tough Rockware Glass league cup campaign while Vics got three points in the league cup and only one point from nine in the league.
Redmond (48), fired along with coach John "Hoots" Harvey following a phone call from chairman Sam Morrison, told Sportscene on Monday "I am bitter at the decision made by the club although i can't dispute that we have no points out of nine. The committee had said to me at the end of last season they would give me more backing this season as their minds had been on developments with the park."
"They have betrayed me. I have rebuilt the team, we only very narrowly missed out on promotion last season and I was told it would be a four or five year job."
"I have had phone calls from a few players who wished me well and I want to get back into football management as soon as possible because football is in my blood. I will apply for any jobs going."
Winton secretary Tom Ferrie said "The club would like to thank John Redmond and his team for their efforts over the last two seasons and wish them well in the future. A manger is judged by results."
Frye, who left Gretna two seasons ago after securing them a place in Bell's Division Three and remains youth coach at Albion Rovers said "We have a lot of excellent players and they need good guidance. Everyone will have a chance to show me what they can do. Our aim is to push up the league and get above mid table. Let's face it nine points is a lot to make up. I look forward to the challenge."
The new boss, who has brought in Winton player/coach Derek Cook as his assistant on Monday snapped up midfielder Brian Taggart (19) from Hurlford United.
Meanwhile, deposed Irvine Vics boss McMillan admitted he was devastated at his sacking.
McMillan (47) said "I was totally gutted and angry with the club's decision. I wasn't given long enough. We brought in 10 new players to the side and they were just getting to know each other. I hope to get involved again in football management."
Vics chairman Bert Loach also reacted angrily to speculation that ex-Vics player Dick Malcolmson had been brought in as new boss at the weekend only to be removed.
"The decision to ask Jim McMillan to leave was a democratic decision by the committee. We would like to thank him for his service. Mick McCallum is interim manager and no one else has been approached about the job," he said.
This article has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.