Clubs took advantage of Stute: Connor
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Connor added: “I knew the club had one point from nine games when I came in so I was aware of the challenge.
“Am I disappointed we didn’t get the chance to secure our survival with seven games to go? Of course I am but that was an unforeseen set of circumstances.
“The club has a clear strategic plan and I am committed to their long term objectives.
“By 2024, they want to be back in the Waterside in their own stadium and be a competitive Premiership club and that’s my focus.
“I have been in the game a long time and it was evident clubs took advantage of our situation by taking players and in the future clubs will have to pay money for our players like Ballymena United did with Joe McCready but I’m still very committed to the cause.”
Connor says he will focus on keeping the squad united while supporting the club in their fight against this ruling.
“The club has issued a statement and it is led by a very honest man in (chairman) Bill Anderson, a man full of integrity,” he added.
“Bill and I have discussed the outcome and I am happy for Bill and the board to take whatever action they now feel is necessary to pursue justice.
“Sometimes in life you can accept these things but when you see injustice I believe you should challenge it until you get a proper resolution. I will focus on the players who are staying and recruiting new players for what, at the moment, is looking like a Championship campaign.”
In their statement, Stute said: “There are many at this club, and in this city, who are not surprised by the decision to implement the automatic relegation rule. Indeed, there is a general belief that the support provided by both the NI Executive and the football authorities belies the enthusiasm and talent that exists in the parts of our province which are furthest from Belfast.
“We must do all that we can to protect what we have, but perhaps we should be more sceptical of the motives and methods employed by those who do not have our interests, or indeed those of other clubs, at heart.”