Harps players seek transfer

The financial crisis at Finn Harps looks set to take another twist this evening when most of the first-team players are expected to hand in transfer requests.

The action follows the resignation of player-manager Gavin Dykes late on Tuesday evening after a meeting with directors at which he was told that three players would have to be released. Dykes had gone to the meeting in the hope that additional funds could be secured to bring in three players on loan until the end of the season.

The former Sligo Rovers and Derry City defender said yesterday he felt he had no option but to resign in the circumstances although he felt no bitterness towards the club which he accepted is desperately short of funds. "It simply got to the stage where I couldn't take money out of the club myself, while not being able to do the job."

Dykes' assistant, Jonathan Speak is expected to take charge for the weekend's FAI Cup match at Home Farm but he will have his work cut out as there is clearly considerable anger among the players.

Their representative, Damian Bradley, said that a decision had been taken before Christmas that no further cuts would be tolerated and that it had been agreed at Tuesday's training session that a block transfer request would be handed to club officials tonight.