Former Schoolboy boss clarifies reasons for resignation

EARLIER this week, the Clare Schoolboys League, through their public relations officer, Tommy Whitney, issued a statement paying tribute to the league’s outgoing chairman, Frankie Gormley, for his work for the league over the past two years.

Gormley, this week expressed his appreciation to his former fellow league officers but moved to clarify some points in their statement.
“I appreciate the statement from the league but I want to set the record straight. I did not resign because of my work. In fact, I got the greatest of support from my employers at all times and my work had nothing to do with my decision to step down from the role of chairman of the Schoolboys League,” he told The Clare Champion.
The league stated: “Although Frank had originally intended to complete the season as chairman, an increasing list of responsibilities outside soccer, particularly in his job as a fireman, moved him to decide to step down before the end of the season”.
However, Gormley says he stepped down because he wasn’t happy with the way the committee dealt with issues. “The role of the committee is to deal with issues that arise from time to time and that wasn’t happening. I had pointed out my concerns to the committee. I accept that everyone is entitled to an opinion but it is not the role of the committee to dismiss the issues that arose. A committee has to examine all issues. I took everyone’s opinion on board. We have to examine all issues and treat everyone the same,” the former chairman said.
The league executive is, clearly, proud of the work done under the chairmanship of Gormley. “In just two years Frank has been instrumental in guiding the league on a number of issues that have seen the CSSL continue to develop. The most significant of these are increases in player registrations and number of teams, commencement of girl’s leagues in Clare, significant progress in the county development programmes with emerging talent squads now operating at all ages, continued progress towards ensuring club disciplinary issues are open and transparent, the organising of awards nights which were attended by the FAI’s chief executive John Delaney and former internationals Ray Houghton and Mick Martin, improved planning and scheduling of matches and the implementation of a structured fundraising development scheme through the FAI Vantage club.
The league’s fixtures secretary, Ronnie Pyne has agreed to step into the role of chairman.
Gormley may yet return to the post, if the clubs get their way. The Turnpike Rovers man  confirmed this week that he “has been inundated with calls from clubs to stay on in the position”. It’s expected that he will meet with the committee in the coming week to discuss his concerns.