Despite outstanding achievements over many years, there have been divisions within the Shamrock Rovers board.
Following the revelation that chief executive John Martin intends to step down this summer, co-owner Dermot Desmond has warned club members to be wary of the actions of “certain non-executive directors”.
Desmond addressed club members on Wednesday to highlight ongoing efforts to remove Stephen Bradley as manager, the Irish Times reports.
Desmond said: “It’s been over five years since I invested in Shamrock Rovers Football Club with your support.
“I am pleased to see that the investment has helped Rovers strengthen its financial base, achieve success on the pitch in recent years and continue to invest in the academy programme, which is delivering results.
“Unfortunately, during this time, three highly qualified specialists left the post of CEO, although all the others would have preferred to stay.”
Brendan Murray became the club's first CEO in 2016. He was succeeded by Denis Donohoe in 2021, and Martin will take over in 2023.
Since Bradley's appointment as Shamrock Rovers manager in 2016, the club have won four League of Ireland titles, an Irish Cup and reached the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
This season the club made it to the European playoffs, which also contributed to its financial well-being.
Following the 2-2 draw with St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park, Bradley admitted he had considered leaving the club due to pressure from some of the directors representing its members.
“Let's be honest, I have a sick son at home who is currently in bed. He is undergoing chemotherapy.
“It can be hard sometimes. There's no getting away from it.
“Things happened that were unacceptable and unacceptable.
“I’m lucky to do what I do and be in this position, but can that put psychological pressure on you and your health? Of course it can.
“It’s draining, but over time you learn to cope with it and realise what’s really important,” Bradley continued. “I have to keep my thoughts focused – and that’s family, health and football.”
“I owe a lot to these players in the locker room, they have been on this journey with me.
“Once I reset and ground myself, I'll find that energy again, which is really important, but only time allows that to happen. And the support that I have around me, with [my wife] Mary, my family and the people I trust.
“Our shareholders need to find unity somewhere along the line – and change the way we can take the club in one direction. I talked about it last year and people thought I was fighting for the budget or something, but I could see it coming a mile away.”
Desmond, who has owned 25 per cent of Rovers since 2019, is also the majority shareholder in Celtic and has said he has no plans to increase his stake in the club.
Bradley spoke about his close relationship with Desmond and the conflict at the board level.
“I spoke to Dermot [this week]. We have a really good relationship. I discuss a lot of things with him often. We had a good conversation.”
“It's really important to have someone of Dermot's calibre involved in Irish sport. He's invested in our club; Dermot invested in the club when we needed someone to take us forward a few years ago.
“To be clear, the members' section has been incredible to me, the cornerstone of the club, and that's very clear. I know there have been directors in the past who have not been supportive and have made things very difficult and uncomfortable for me. And that was intentional, I know that for sure.
“I've been talking about this for a long time.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
