Fans call foul on sacking of football boss
BURSCOUGH Independent Supporters Association has reignited its war of words with the football club’s bosses following the sacking of manager David Powell.
Powell left the club in December with Burscough rooted to the bottom of the Northern Premier League Division One.
He had taken over shortly before the start of the season and quickly had to build a new squad following wholesale departures in the summer.
Simon Hardman, who had been working with the club under Powell, has been named head coach until the end of the season.
Burscough Independent Supporters Association (Bisa) chairman David Hardisty has now labelled the club’s treatment of Powell “appalling”, among a host of other criticisms.
In a lengthy statement, Mr Hardisty wrote: “When Mr Powell, the new manager, was appointed – who we genuinely wish well – he was left trying to exist in this highly competitive league with youngsters who are totally out of their depth although trying their best.
“He did his utmost but was scapegoated for the lack of success by the owner and we witnessed the result of this.
“The way he described he was treated by Mr Sutton [director of football, David] is appalling.”
Mike Swift, chairman of Burscough Football Club, declined to provide a detailed response to the statement, saying that the club does not conduct its business by newspaper columns.
Further accusations in the Bisa statement include that Victoria Park is being left to deteriorate, while the issue of a damaged turnstile which has yet to be repaired after being hit by a car was again brought up, along with concerns over plans to build a new stadium next to the existing Victoria Park.
Controversial plans for the stadium were withdrawn at the last minute in November, despite it being expected that West Lancashire Borough Council would grant permission.
Although Mr Swift did not wish to respond to the individual claims, he did express regret at seeing the new year start with the “same old inaccurate, rambling and inconsistent rhetoric”.
He added: “All with a positive interest in football going forward are most welcome at Victoria Park, where the proud long-standing heritage of Burscough FC is a legacy to understand and indeed learn from, especially as we adapt to the game in the 21st century.”