TIMELINE
Friday, June 30: Bray Wanderers are hosting Dundalk. Earlier in the day, Gerry Mulvey indicated that he may be withdrawing funding in the near future. Denis O’Connor releases a statement at half-time bemoaning the sustainability of maintaining a football club with the poor attendances at the Carlisle Grounds.
Sunday, July 2: Bray’s players show up for training. They’re called into a meeting where they’re told their wages can no longer be guaranteed. They leave and it hits social media within the hour.
Monday, July 3: Denis O’Connor confides that he’s confident of securing funding to stabilise the club.
Tuesday, July 4: O’Connor meets player and briefs them about the situation and tells them he hopes to have a resolution within days.
Wednesday, July 5: O’Connor confides exclusively again that if the worst comes to the worst, the club will disband as opposed to asking the U-19’s squad to fulfil remaining fixtures.
Thursday, July 6: It seems like all is
well. A statement is released to confirm that funding has been secured and the club is safe.
Thursday, July 6: They think it’s all over! Well, it isn’t. Within hours, the players release a statement via the PFAI to declare that they want clarification on the new-found investment and set a deadline of close of business on Monday, July 10.
Monday, July 10: The players train as usual and receive no confirmation.
Sunday, July 16: Despite not getting what they want, the players provide a decent display as they succumb to a 0-2 defeat against champions-elect Cork City in front of 1,879 people in Bray.
Monday, July 17: Soccer Republic run a feature on Bray Wanderers which includes fan interviews calling upon the O’Connors to leave the club.
Tuesday, July 18: Club secretary Martin O’Connor reveals the club have adopted an all or nothing approach. Any transfer or mutual termination requests to be rejected unless all 21 players make the request.
Wednesday, July 19: Denis O’Connor announces his resignation as chairman of Bray Wanderers.
Thursday, July 20: Gerry Mulvey is announced as interim chairman.
Friday, July 21: Bray lose 3-1 to St. Patrick’s Athletic in what Harry Kenny dubs “probably our worst display of the season”.
Thursday, July 27: The club release a statement that compares Co. Wicklow to North Korea. You know the rest. It is signed by Gerry Mulvey.
Friday, July 28: A follow-up statement is issued. This one discusses the 1916 rising, Kim-Jong Un, Jackie Healy Rae, Arklow’s sewage situation and being the most talked about topic in Irish football.
It is unsigned.
Friday, July 28: Bray lost at home to Finn Harps by three goals to two. Harry Kenny admits afterwards that he has considered his position and will continue to do so.
Sunday, July 30: Former media liaison officer Jillian Godsil pens a scything open letter to club.
Sunday, July 30: Midfielder John Sullivan declares on radio that doesn’t “believe the chairman was behind the North Korea statements”.
Tuesday, August 1: Transfer window closes. No Bray Wanderers player departs.