Blackwell moving on

 

Kevin Blackwell handed in his notice on Friday. In a show of class he and his assistant Sam Ellis and head coach John Carver have given the troubled side one month before they go. In his statement Blackwell said:

          “We came to Luton in the spring with a clear mission and it revolved around ambition, adequate investment for growth and real promise of a new stadium,very quickly we found out that Luton Town Football Club did not do what it said on the tin. We have ended up managing a squad of players who do not know if they are being paid or have a future with the football club. This is becoming more relevant as we speak. We have lost one match in 13 and last weekend astounded the footballing world with the quality and spirit of our display in holding Liverpool to a draw. It is not our role or intention to blame anybody for the state the club are in but we have face reality for ourselves. It is now our belief that no possible future scenario for this club can match in any way shape or form what we came here to do. We are therefore announcing that we are leaving Luton Town Football Club. Ironically we no longer have contracts that would require us to give notice but we are acutely aware that just to walk away would simply add to the short-term problems. We will therefore continue work under our basic terms and conditions for approximately one month, leaving the club after home game against Bournemouth on February 9.”

The fun just never seems to end lately at Luton Town. They are in administration, they have had 10 points deducted, the FA has leveled charges at them that boil down to the club’s holding company breaking FA negotiating rules and dealing with unlicensed agents. The administrator has sold and loaned out five players already and are looking to move more. All without even talking to Blackwell ahead of time. I know that the administrator doesn’t need his permission, but it’s nice to know what’s going on.

Blackwell has now been manager of two financially dubious clubs (Leeds United 04-06) my advise for him at his next interview would be to ask for a view at their bank statement.