Past and present reflect on Cork news
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Past players, current players, ex-manager Damien Richardson and ex-Chairman Brian Lennox have all spoken on the imminent demise of Cork City FC. With 46 people facing unemployment by the end of the week, it comes as a massive to blow to a city already struggling with soaring levels of unemployment.
Lennox had sold CCFC to the infamous Arkaga group in January 2007 but the man who ran a successful football club on and off of the field from the mid-90’s to that point was still saddened at the news. Lennox is quoted today as saying that: “When I was chairman of Cork City FC, they were the proudest days of my life. It’s like your house has been burnt down and all your belongings stolen.
Meanwhile, Damien Richardson who was unfairly shafted from the club despite bringing success under the Arkaga regime, was keen to blame the consortium which was run by Jim Little. “In hindsight, the worst thing ever was Arkaga coming in. That was the start of the downward spiral. When Tom Coughlan came in, I think too much needed to be done in too short a space of time for any individual,” Richardson said.
Players past and present were also deeply saddened and annoyed by the news. Billy Dennehy, who was signed from Derry City in the winter said: “I’m obviously gutted. Cork City is a massive club, so I think it will be an awful shame if it is finally wound up. It’s tough for the players because this is our job and it looks like we could all be unemployed. I sympathise with the supporters too. They’ve turned out in bug numbers for us this season and we’ve appreciated that.
“It’s just complete shock, I never though it would come to this,” said former defender Alan Bennett after yesterday’s decision in the High Court. “I grew up alongside the club and never thought it would go this far. For Cork city not to have a club is ridiculous. For the hardcore support, I’m devastated for them.
A sad Danny Murphy said: “As a fan of the club myself I’m devastated. I’m really gutted but I don’t know what to say.” While club captain Dan Murray added: “I’ve moved in, call Cork my home but now it looks like I’ve to uproot again and look for somewhere else to make a life of. I don’t think we really knew what the exact outcome would be until we heard it, though we believed it wouldn’t have gone this far. Out worst fears have been realised.”
With thanks to Ruairi O’Hagan of Red Fm
Lennox had sold CCFC to the infamous Arkaga group in January 2007 but the man who ran a successful football club on and off of the field from the mid-90’s to that point was still saddened at the news. Lennox is quoted today as saying that: “When I was chairman of Cork City FC, they were the proudest days of my life. It’s like your house has been burnt down and all your belongings stolen.
Meanwhile, Damien Richardson who was unfairly shafted from the club despite bringing success under the Arkaga regime, was keen to blame the consortium which was run by Jim Little. “In hindsight, the worst thing ever was Arkaga coming in. That was the start of the downward spiral. When Tom Coughlan came in, I think too much needed to be done in too short a space of time for any individual,” Richardson said.
Players past and present were also deeply saddened and annoyed by the news. Billy Dennehy, who was signed from Derry City in the winter said: “I’m obviously gutted. Cork City is a massive club, so I think it will be an awful shame if it is finally wound up. It’s tough for the players because this is our job and it looks like we could all be unemployed. I sympathise with the supporters too. They’ve turned out in bug numbers for us this season and we’ve appreciated that.
“It’s just complete shock, I never though it would come to this,” said former defender Alan Bennett after yesterday’s decision in the High Court. “I grew up alongside the club and never thought it would go this far. For Cork city not to have a club is ridiculous. For the hardcore support, I’m devastated for them.
A sad Danny Murphy said: “As a fan of the club myself I’m devastated. I’m really gutted but I don’t know what to say.” While club captain Dan Murray added: “I’ve moved in, call Cork my home but now it looks like I’ve to uproot again and look for somewhere else to make a life of. I don’t think we really knew what the exact outcome would be until we heard it, though we believed it wouldn’t have gone this far. Out worst fears have been realised.”
With thanks to Ruairi O’Hagan of Red Fm
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile