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Airdrie & Coatbridge  Sport Article


Kenny Black furious at SFL delay

May 28 2008

BY Mark Sugden

 

KENNY Black has urged Scottish Football League bosses to ‘take the bull by the horns’ and resolve the ongoing Gretna situation.

The Airdrie manager’s close season preparations have been left in tatters as he awaits confirmation as to which division his team will be playing in.

He has yet to re-sign any of his existing squad and Kevin Watt is still the only player tied to the club next season.

Gretna’s fate is still in the hands of their administrators and the SFL but a decision has yet to be made and the saga rumbles on.

If, as suspected, they do go under the Diamonds will take their place in Division One .

But, until then, Black is very much in a state of limbo.

He said: “It’s been incredibly frustrating. We’re caught between two divisions and I just wish someone would make a decision.

“This Gretna situation has dragged on long enough.

“If we had beaten Clyde in the play-offs we wouldn’t have had the problem. I had a feeling this would happen though.

“They were relegated a number of weeks ago and I think they have been given enough time now. This is extremely valuable time for us.

“The SFL are playing a dangerous game and someone needs to take the bull by the horn. If it was to mean we’re playing in the second division next season, then so be it. We will just get on with it.”

He added: “All the players, except Kevin, are out of contract and they need to know what is happening.

“And that goes for potential signing targets as well. We can’t really talk money just now. The better players are getting snapped up and it looks like we will be two or three weeks behind.”

And the manager admits he is powerless to prevent his players moving on if another club offers them a contract.

He added: “I am sure there are a number of clubs sniffing about. I’m certain that will be the case. The players aren’t getting paid and they have to look after themselves.

“Stephen Robertson has spoken to Morton. He has told me about that. They have talked about a two-year deal and money that we simply can’t match.

“But there are no guarantees until a contract is on the table to sign.

“We could look for a replacement and eventually sign a new keeper, Morton cool their interest and then Robbo is without a club.”

The manager is under no illusions that he will have to add quality to his squad if they end up moving up a league.

He added: ”The team that finished second in Division Two won’t be equipped for Division One. We need to bring in better quality but the better quality players are already being snapped up and we are already behind.”

In this weeks Airdrie lottery, 14, 15 and 17 were selected in the £800 draw. 13, 19 and 20 were the numbers in the £300 draw.

 

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