Mick Sullivan leaves South Park – but maybe not by mutual consent???

Bostik South Central side South Park last night announced that Mick Sullivan and Perry Gough have left the club.

The management team have been thanked by the club for their short time in charge.

In a statement released by South Park, Sullivan said, “It is with great regret that I have resigned as the Manager of South Park Football Club. Although I approached the job with high hopes, with the club in transition I was aware of how difficult the first few months would be. Despite my best efforts and with the great support of Perry Gough, the results have been very difficult to accept. With this in mind, after a series of conversations and some searching on my part, I have decided to resign. I have offered to look after the team until the club can find my successor”

Director of Football Joe McElligott commented on behalf of the board of directors. “Following on from my conversation with Mick we have decided to accept Mick’s resignation with immediate effect and will have a caretaker manager in temporary charge against Northwood away on Saturday”.

However, after the official Club Statement was released Mick Sullivan put out his own Statement clarifying a few of the circumstances involved. Taking aim at the board, he explained:
“Despite cliche’s such as “mutual content” and quotes regarding resignation, the first time I learned of my departure was reading tonight’s misguided Club Statement.
My tenure at South Park has been very difficult, both personally and professionally. Numerous issues behind the scenes have consistently undermined my position. This came to a head last week when I realised I had been vindictively undermined by my own staff. With the Club’s best interests at heart, I requested a meeting with the directors to discuss what action to take.
During the meeting, it soon became apparent that the backroom staff who were undermining me, were doing so with the knowledge and support of the Board.
On Monday 8th October, I was sacked then reinstated the same night. The suggestion I had lost the Dressing Room were clearly unfounded and the Directors assured my position was safe and would not be reviewed until the New Year.
Following our 1-5 defeat on Saturday, I did offer my resignation. I was disappointed, emotional and concerned the stress levels were effecting my health. Therefore, I offered to resign and hold the fort until a replacement was found. Both the team and the supporters deserved that.
With this in mind, the statement was drafted. However, we agreed the statement would not be published until I was ready and both the Club and I agreed on the wording.
Having had a few days to reflect, I decided I was letting people down and walking away was the easy option. After all, I am the most experienced manager in the club’s history, won promotions, cups and worked in the Bostik Premier League. I’ve never walked away from a challenge and told the Directors I wasn’t about to start now!
Imagine how I felt when on the evening that I had secured two players on loan from Premier Division Merstham, I read on the Club’s Twitter Account that I had left.
The statement was issued without either my knowledge or permission. I had rescinded my resignation and had just signed two quality players.”

For more from South Park and to read their full Press Release please visit their website here