‘I’m gutted by crazy decision’ (16.09.05)

Greene talks about shock and disappointment at the way he lost his job as Magpies manager

A PERPLEXED Dennis Greene spoke to the Maidenhead Advertiser about the shock of being sacked as Maidenhead United manager just seven games into the new season.
But it was not the fact that his services were no longer required which has bemused Greene, but the timing and the manner of the dismissal.
He said: “What I can’t understand is the timing. It’s crazy!
“We are only seven matches into the season in which our aim is to avoid relegation. For this we need to stay out of the bottom two.
“On Saturday (tomorrow) we play Carshalton which is a very winnable game. Then the following week we are in the FA Cup which could provide a huge cash boost for the club.
“But all that is going to happen now is that players will come and go, and this chance to push forward will be lost.
“With the upheaval which will now happen, United could soon be adrift from the pack. It’s completely unnecessary.”
The way in which Greene learned of his ousting, and the machinations behind it, also felt like a kick in the teeth.
Greene said: “I set up a meeting with Jon Swan (the chairman) to talk about this season, clear the air and reassure him we were progressing.
“However 10 minutes into the meeting, it became clear that the atmosphere had changed and I was told I was no longer required at the club.
“It came out of the blue. As I’ve said before, the vultures have been circling, but I thought I had the support of the board.
“Amazingly, two hours later Carl Taylor was announced as the new manager. Well that did not ‘just’ happen.”
He added: “I was told by another manager that Taylor had applied for my job after the Bank Holiday matches, but I was assured by Jon Swan that no discussion had taken place.
“I can’t believe the club were talking about getting rid of me after just three matches. I also thought there was a code of conduct among managers. You don’t apply for a job before the position is vacant.
“I don’t know Taylor, I’ve only spoken to him once, and I don’t intend to have any dealings with him.”
Greene also believes the upcoming annual general meeting and fan power was a factor behind his sacking.
He said: “The AGM is coming up and everyone knows that a poor set of accounts will be shown.
“The chairman didn’t want criticism over the accounts and the manager at the same time.
“So sack the manager and try to deflect some of the flack which will come because of the accounts.
“Because of the way the club is set up, I understand why Jon panicked and did what he thought would save his job.
“At the AGM he could be voted out.”
He added: “The truth is that the whole club needs to be restructured and probably turn itself into a limited company to stop a minority of fans dictating what the club does.
“Unfortunately, the board are scared of some of the fans, which is a nonsense.”
Greene always had his detractors when he joined the club because he came from Windsor & Eton FC.
To some of the Maidenhead faithful this is unforgivable.
He said on the subject: “Yes, some of the fans gave me a hard time. I tried to be upfront and honest with them, but they never gave me a chance because of my Windsor connections.
“I would have liked more time to have proved them wrong, but it was not to be.
“I’m gutted because I thought we were getting somewhere. I’m also gutted for the players.
“This will all just lead to another period of instability at the club.”