Rovers opt to sell players

Soccer National League newsAs the Eircom League's transfer window opens this morning, Shamrock Rovers have revealed their intention to half the club's wage bill over the coming weeks with the first team squad being made available for transfer.

Roddy Collins was called to a meeting with the examiner, Neil Hughes, on Wednesday night and told despite the team lying at the foot of the Premier Division the most pressing need is to save money. There would appear to be an acceptance relegation may be an inevitable due to the ongoing decline in the club's finances.

"It's always been difficult but this seems to make things pretty much impossible," said Collins yesterday.

The situation has been made worse by the prolonged uncertainty regarding the future ownership of the club although it appears that supporters group, the 400 Club, along with charter account Ray Wilson are the clear front runners to take control.

Collins has yet to hear formal proposals from any prospective owners but expects the budget for players will continue to be seen as being of secondary importance for the immediate future.

"That's not a criticism of them," he said, "because they've made it clear their priority is the long-term survival of the club and I accept that completely but it doesn't make things any easier when it comes to telling players we've got to look at moving as many of them on as possible between now and July 15th."

Pat McCourt in talking with a number of English and Scottish clubs and is expected to move within the next week or so although Collins insists he has not given up hope of keeping the midfielder. Jason Gavin is set to play against Longford tomorrow after having talks this week with Hartlepool but could well leave after that. Willo McDonagh could also leave for a British club without a fee being paid if the opportunity arises. Collins says, he will see who moves on before looking to plug the gaps with more affordable players.

Elsewhere, Alan Reynolds is expected to sign for Shelbourne today while his former club, Waterford United, has received offers for team captain John Frost (St Patrick's Athletic) and Pat Purcell (Limerick) and both will move if they can agree personal terms. Willie Doyle has also attracted interest.

Kevin Doherty's loan spell from Shelbourne has also been ended and the central defender has moved to Bray until the end of the season with Wes Charles having made a surprise move to Russian Premier Division strugglers FK Rostov. Wanderers have also signed former Waterford midfielder Kevin O'Brien.

Longford Town will complete their capture of Alan Cawley from Shelbourne today but a move to take Glen Fitzpatrick on loan for the rest of the campaign was turned down.

David Freeman has made a loan move to Dublin City from Drogheda United who have made an offer for Cork City's George O'Callaghan. The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but he has been offered a three-year deal. Damien Richardson said yesterday he is hopeful of keeping the player.