‘We cannot endure another period of uncertainty’

THE cloud of doom has been lifted from the Carlisle Grounds for the time being with all players currently paid up to date.

Bray Wanderers players received their overdue monies on Thursday, July 19, their first payment since May.

The payment came the day after Martin Russell called time on his tenure as Bray Wanderers manager, citing ‘constraints and unrealistic circumstances that have unfolded in recent times’.

It meant that coach Graham Kelly was re-installed as caretaker manager for the visit to Bohemians on Friday.

Kelly has already served 60 days as interim boss - the maximum period allowed under FIFA rules - but the 40-year old received a special exemption from the FAI to take the reins once again.

Although Bray players aren’t currently in arrears, they are due their next payment this Friday prior to the visit of Cork City.

That fixture had been thrown into doubt with Seagulls players set to strike this week but that has been called off.

However, with the club unable to guarantee wages for the rest of the season, the threat of a strike is still lingering.

In a statement released via the PFAI, the players confirmed that action may be taken should any further issues arise with payments.

‘We have not been provided with any comfort or certainty about any future payments.

‘Our next monthly payment is due next week (July 27) and if it, or any subsequent payments for the duration of the season, are not honoured as they fall due, it will be necessary to reconsider our position.

‘We simply cannot endure another period of uncertainty.

‘In those circumstances, the last resort of going on strike would be back on the table.

‘We sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that’.

Due to the stand-off with the wages, Bray went weeks without training and only managed two sessions last week - both conducted at Bluebell United under the watchful eye of the PFAI - and that is an issue that the departing Martin Russell took grievance with.

‘But I did think the decision to go off and train separately was a poor one, as was the help we sought and weren’t given by the FAI to bring in new recruits, because we released players’.

Bray suffered a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Bohemians on Friday but fortunately for them, ninth placed Limerick also suffered a loss so it means that gap between the Seagulls and the Shannonsiders remains at six points with Limerick pencilled in to visit the Carlisle Grounds in September.

Before that potentially key tie, Wanderers have an unenviable fixture list; Cork City, St. Patrick’s Athletic, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Waterford all lie in wait for the Premier Division’s basement side prior to Limerick’s visit to Co. Wicklow.

In total, five players - Aaron Greene, Ronan Coughlan, Craig Walsh, Cory Galvin and Daniel Kelly - left the club during the time where wages went unpaid.

With only 10 league fixtures remaining in 2018 - six of which are against top half teams - time is running out for Bray Wanderers to find safety.