Nelson United sacks coach

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 64

Nelson United sacks coach

PA Nelson Barry Simmonds’ contract as coach with the Nelson United Soccer Club has been terminated.

In an official statement issued yesterday by the club’s chairman, Warwick Heal, the club decided Mr Simmonds had not adequately fulfilled his obligations under the agreement and in the terms of his contract, the club could use its discretion to terminate that contract. “The board of the Nelson United Soccer club has determined that Mr Barry Simmonds has failed to properly fulfill his duties under the agreement he has with the club,” Mr Heal said. “This has resulted in, among other things, the loss of support and respect of the club’s Air New Zealand soccer league squad and in the board’s opinion had been a significant factor in the loss of several players in recent times,” he said. “The board has been disturbed at comments

made by Simmonds to the media and because of this the club had given him notice that his contract was terminated,” Mr Heal said.' “The club is concerned at representations, made by Simmonds to the media that he has not been adequately informed of his position with the club. That is not correct” Mr Heal said that Mr Simmonds had been told verbally at a meeting of the board on April 13 that he was relieved of his position as coach, but the board indicated the club was prepared to consider Mr Simmonds retaining his position as commerical manager with the club. “The proposal was given to Simmonds in writing the next day,” Mr Heal said. The club had then received a letter from Mr Simmonds’ solicitor de-

manding that all further correspondence be with the solicitor. The chairman said Mr Simmonds had not responded to the club’s invitation but he had indicated to at least one board member and to the media that any such proposal was unsatisfactory and that he intended to leave. “The club has received other correspondence from Simmonds’ solicitor and has attempted to resolve the matter with him,” said Mr Heal. “The club has been badly served by the turn of events.” Mr Heal said that no official coach had been named as yet but both players and club were extremely happy with the services at present being performed by the stand-in coach, Maurice Woodhouse. ’