Rams reject Gregory appeal

John Gregory’s turbulent reign at Derby has drawn to a close with the failure of an appeal against his sacking.

The Pride Park club confirmed Gregory’s dismissal last night after Rams chairman Lionel Pickering rejected the former manager’s plea to be reinstated.

A statement released by the club read: “Chairman Lionel Pickering has considered the submissions made by John Gregory and his advisors at his appeal and has concluded the result of the original hearing should stand.

“As a consequence, the decision to dismiss John Gregory from his role as Derby County manager stands.

“The club will not discuss this matter in any further detail.”

Gregory was suspended by the Division One side on March 21 in the wake of “serious allegations” made against him, with the Pride Park club appointing reserve-team boss Mark Lillis as caretaker manager ahead of the 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United which followed 24 hours later.

Former Ipswich boss George Burley was appointed interim manager at the end of March with a brief to keep the Rams in the First Division, a mission the Scot successfully completed as Derby finished 18th, six points above the relegation zone.

Gregory was sacked on May 9, five days after the end of the season, but immediately announced his intention to appeal via the club’s internal procedures.

A meeting between the two parties was held last week at Derby’s Mickleover Court Hotel with the Rams promising a decision would be made on the appeal “as soon as possible”.

Now his sacking has been confirmed, Gregory could launch a legal challenge and was reported to be consulting with his legal team this morning.

Former England international Gregory had taken over at Pride Park in January 2002 shortly after resigning as Aston Villa boss but proved unable to preserve the Rams’ Barclaycard Premiership status with the club taking just one point from their last possible 24 at the end of the 2001-02 campaign.

Hampered by financial problems and tensions with senior players, Derby’s decline continued in Division One with Gregory winning just 16 of his 55 matches in charge prior to him being relieved of duty.

Prior to dismissal, Gregory had also felt the sharp end of midfielder Craig Burley’s tongue, with the midfielder and former Rams skipper having launched a blistering attack on his management style.

The former Chelsea and Celtic star claimed Gregory had excluded him from the first team because he failed to agree a contract termination and then turned down a loan move to Middlesbrough.

Other players who had little time for Gregory included Finland international Simo Valakari who enjoyed a successful return to first-team action under George Burley after having been ostracised by Gregory.