Collins clear-out puts 14 Viking players on transfer list

DUBLIN CITY FC manager Roddy Collins has swung the axe at the Premier Division basement club by placing 14 first team squad players on the transfer list.

Mon, 16 Aug, 2004 - 01:00

Colm O’Connor

Collins made the announcement at a meeting at the club’s training headquarters at ALSAA where he met each player individually to inform him of his decision that they no longer had a role to play at the club. Collins’s decision now leaves the Vikings paired down to the bone.

City, who have 14 matches to retain their Premier Division status, gave debuts to four players against Derry on Thursday last - Danny Boxall (ex-Bristol Rovers), Scott Friel (ex-Celtic), Ronnie Henry (ex-Tottenham) and Marc Kenny (ex-Shamrock Rovers).

All except Boxall are included in the City squad for the midweek trip to Cork City. Boxall picked up a knee injury against the Candystripes and is out injured for the foreseeable future.

Said Collins: “I met with all the players on Saturday and had a good chat with them and I explained where we're at and where we wanted to take the club. They’re a smashing bunch and I thanked them for their efforts.” "

The club has arranged a friendly against Newry Town tonight to provide a platform for the departing players to display their ability to clubs north and south of the border.

“We’ve putting out a circular to all clubs to inform them of the players’ availability and giving clubs notice of Monday’s fixture in Newry,” added Collins.

Dublin City Chief Executive Ronan Seery said: “I fully support Roddy as manager and the decisions he has to take to secure the future of this club.

“He has big plans for Dublin City and he was very honest with the players in letting them know his thinking. I’d like to place on record my own gratitude to the players for all their efforts on behalf of Dublin City FC and wish them every success wherever they go on to play. Many of them have given excellent service the club in our first division success last season and it will go down as a testimony as to their achievements here at the club.”