Rovers players hand back por tion of wages following cup exit
THE entire Sligo Rovers squad last week, returned a portion of their individual wage packets to the club following their recent exit from the FAI Cup.
The decision was made following a meeting between first team players, which took place after Rovers’ defeat to Longford Town at the Showgrounds.
Rovers’ loss to the midlanders, meant the Bit O’Red were knocked out of the competition at the hands of the First Division side at the first hurdle, for the second year running.
The premature exit also added extra financial pressure on the club who, following last night’s league clash with Dundalk, have just five home games scheduled between now and the end of the season including September’s Irn Bru Cup game.
Both the Longford game and the EA Sports Cup defeat to Derry the previous Monday were Rovers’ only home games in the space of almost two months.
It is understood the amount returned to the club by the players represents a reasonable portion of the wage bill.
Senior players Rhys McCabe (pictured), Lee Lynch and David Cawley are believed to have been the instigators of the gesture.
Vice-captain McCabe, who wore the armband in both the Longford cup game and Friday’s win over Limerick, said the squad had to take responsibility for what was an embarrassing result.
He said: “We feel as a group we let the supporters down and the people that fund the club week to week.
“We also let (Ger Lyttle) down. We owe him a lot. He’s a great manager and we should be doing better than what we showed last weekend.”
The Scot, one of Rovers’ more impressive performers this term, called on his team mates to ensure they push on from Friday’s win.
“There’s nothing we can do about the Longford result now that it’s over”, he continued.
“All we can do is go out for the rest of the season and show what it means for us to play for the club.
“We need to show the gaffer and the supporters that it matters and continue it for the rest of the season.”