Academy speak out over Kirkwood affair

Wick disappointed over the way Kirkwood and Brora Rangers have handled defection

Chairman's cup game appeal to fans- "Don't let recent events boil over"

WICK ACADEMY has criticised controversial manager Davie Kirkwood who defected to derby side Brora Rangers, recently.
The former Glasgow Rangers player and Ross County coach jumped ship on the qt, without facing the Scorries executive with the news.
He added insult to injury by travelling with his new club to take in its encounter with Lossiemouth.
In their first, full, response to the switch, the Wick club expressed diasppointment about the way both Kirkwood and Brora handled the affair.
Club chairman, Colin Stewart commented: “Mr Kirkwood initially agreed to attend our game with Turriff and speak to the players after the match, but later decided this was unprofessional and unethical and instead, went to watch the team he might be taking over, which he obviously thought was professional and ethical. At no time did he inform us he was attending that match.”
Mr Kirkwood had twice rejected an invitation to talk to Wick regarding compensation for his loss of service, as stipulated in his contract.
Mr Stewart went on: “We feel he has not only let himself down but also the club and the players he previously stated in the press, to be one of the best squads in the Highland League, by not facing them to explain his decision.”
Academy has accepted that come October 1, Mr Kirkwood will no longer be the club’s manager.
Mr Stewart: “We valued his services and experience very highly and in his time we gave him our full respect and support. We feel we could not have made him feel more welcome at our club. We deeply regret that our time with him has ended in such a manner with almost two years of his contract remaining but wish him and his family the very best for the future”.
The chairman said they were however, "disappointed" over the way both Mr Kirkwood and Brora Rangers had handled the situation and added philosophically: “Managers come and go between football clubs...that’s just the way football is. But, no one man is bigger than the club.”
Mr Stewart said: “We would like to draw a line under this affair as quickly as possible to that the club can get back to concentrating on its football. Our focus is set upon the future of Wick Academy. We strongly believe that we have the best squad of young, home-grown talent within the Highland League and we appreciate and admire them very much.”
The chairman ended with an appeal to supporters on tomorrow night’s “massive” game “which now has an added spice to it”. He urged fans to turn out in force but not to let events over the last few weeks boil over”.
Mr Stewart added: “Please show your respect for both teams and club officials, and, hopefully, with your usual, tremendous support, Wick can advance into the final”.
Assistant manager Richard Hughes will take the leading role meantime.