Godsil pens scathing letter
FORMER Bray Wanderers media liaison officer Jillian Godsil took aim and unleashed both barrels at her former employers in an open letter penned for their attention.
The Co. Wicklow resident was appointed to her position in August 2016. She had previously been involved in a think-tank three years ago but nothing came of it. Last summer however, she was approached by the then chairman Denis O’Connor and subsequently employed.
All was going well until four months ago when Godsil claims to have had “a major disagreement” with Denis O’Connor which she claims led to him vowing to never speak to her again.
In the build-up to the visit of Dundalk to the Carlisle Grounds, Godsil “received communications from the chairman again, after a three month period of silence”.
Godsil claims that there was a flurry of emails inquiring as to what she was personally going to “do about the gate” from Denis O’Connor. Godsil also claims that these emails were copied to all management in the club.
“I replied (repeatedly) that my role was media relations and not commercial, however I said that I would research the matter further.
“Moreover, the final order from the chairman in this upsetting email chain was that I was not on any account to go near the press box at the Dundalk match on Friday night nor was I to speak with any member of the press.”
Godsil admits that she did not follow the orders as she assisted a disabled journalist to the press box as she did for all home games.
Godsil reveals that her service were no longer required by the following week and following two highly-controversial statements released by the club last week, Godsil could no longer hold her tongue.
“The reason therefore for my writing this open letter was fostered in my treatment up to my being let go and my subsequent blocking from Bray on social media.
“The reason for my writing this letter is that, as a PR professional retained by the club, had I been allowed to do my job, this painful month of communications would not have got past the thought stage. We would not have become the laughing stock of the League of Ireland and beyond.
“The reason for writing this letter is for the many fans who have been let down.
“The reason for writing this letter is for Harry, his management team and the players. They had no choice in the content of the press releases. They had no part in the games being played off the field.
“The reason for writing this letter is to express the opinion that just because the management of Bray Wanderers could release such statements, does not mean that they should.”
Godsil begins her letter by speaking of her “genuine sadness, some bewilderment and above all deep embarrassment at your (the club’s) recent statements, press releases and actions.”
She concludes by calling on the FAI to take appropriate sanctions when clubs step out of line. Her relationship with Bray Wanderers started off on the right foot but ended all wrong.