Manager of football team ‘quits over player antics’ in Blackpool

The manager of a Dundee junior football club walked out and quit his job 250 miles from home after his players are reported to have disobeyed a curfew on a pre-season training trip.

Ex-Arbroath player Keith Gibson drove back to Dundee from Broughty Athletic’s training base near Blackpool.

It’s claimed he resigned after some of his players broke the 10pm curfew at the team hotel and went on a night out.

Bosses at the club met last night at its annual general meeting to discuss what happens next, despite claims that Mr Gibson had later tried to retract his decision to quit.

Broughty Athletic are scheduled to kick off their Super League campaign against Sauchie on Saturday, but may have to do so without a permanent manager in place.

A source said players were forced to send a text to representatives of Lytham Town on Saturday – who they’d been due to play in a friendly – to call the match off after Mr Gibson’s departure from the training camp.

It was sparked by a group of players refusing to stick to his rules the previous night.

A source from Lytham Town said: “We received a text prior to the match to advise that some players were unable to get down to play the fixture.

“We had only arranged the game with Broughty Athletic the Wednesday previously.”

The call-off happened at around midday, just a few hours before the tie had been due to take place.

Both Mr Gibson and the club have declined to comment – however, the club’s website states Mr Gibson and club coach Tony McAuley resigned with “immediate effect”.

Broughty Athletic were dealt a major blow with the resignation of manager Keith Gibson and coach Tony McAuley with immediate effect.

During his tenure, the Fed gained promotion to the Super League via the play-offs and then consolidated their position over the past two season, winning the GA Engineering Cup in the season just finished.

Paying tribute to their efforts, the club’s official website stated: “Keith and Tony were always first-class in their efforts on and off the field.

“The club would, therefore, like to thank Keith and Tony for their tremendous hard work and efforts during their time at the club on and off the field and wish them both all the very best in the future.”

Following their departure, defender Jamie McCunnie, who took up a coaching role this summer, takes temporary charge, starting with last night’s friendly against Cupar Hearts,

And until a new manager is appointed, he will be assisted by goalkeeper Iain Ross and club captain Jamie Winter.