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Collins: felt that ruling out his return was the "most honourable course of action." INPHO/James Crombie

Roddy knew the job was his if he wanted it -- Athlone

Midlands club say they are “disappointed” with Roddy Collins’ decision to rule out a return.

ATHLONE TOWN INSIST that they wanted Roddy Collins to stay on as manager.

The Midlands club said they only publicly advertised the job following a meeting with Collins and when they felt he was not committing to another season.

Collins, who led Athlone to the First Division title and promotion, definitely ruled out his return earlier this week.

The Dubliner had been linked with a move to Sligo Rovers and Derry City as well as with the Cork City job prior to John Caulfield’s appointment.

Collins requested his P45 and letter of severance before the final game of the season, Athlone said in a statement issued this morning.

In light of the fact that Roddy was linked in the media to a number of managerial vacancies same led to our belief that there was an unwillingness or an inability on the part of Roddy to commit to the club,” they said.

Collins and Athlone met on 4 November where “the concerns of the club were outlined to him.”

At all times, it was known by him that he was never to be a candidate as the job was his if he wanted it subject to agreement on a number of matters including player ratios and budget.

Athlone’s appointment committee are due to meet today to review the interested parties with a view to announcing the club’s new manager on Monday.

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    Mute Joey Ryan
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:02 PM

    How weird will it be seeing him in a city jersey!?

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    Mute Ronan McManus
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:05 PM

    Pretty sure city just doing it too boost their players trained in english quota for the champions league.

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    Mute Cathal O'Flaherty
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:10 PM

    Lampard does have a good grasp of the language alright.

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    Mute john connolly
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:10 PM

    Is he not entitled to go to any club he wants?,Jose obviously didn’t want him anymore,people talk about loyalty?,where was mourinho’s loyalty in trying to keep lampard at Chelsea?This is lampards job,Chelsea didn’t want to employ him anymore and man city offered him a job and he took it!!!!!

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    Mute Dylan
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:14 PM

    Because fans tend to not like it when their long serving and one of the best players in the team goes to a rival club.

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    Mute john connolly
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:15 PM

    Surely Chelsea knew he was gonna do this though

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    Mute Dylan
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:20 PM

    I agree that if he wasn’t wanted then there was no need to stay loyal. But I understand why Chelsea fans would be angry.

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    Mute Conor Cahill
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:49 PM

    They have no right to be angry whatsoever, Dylan. He’s won titles with Chelsea and has spent a long time there. If the fans turned on him, that outlines the selfishness fans can pose even when someone like Lampard gave it his all for Chelsea.

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    Mute Brian O Neill
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:13 PM

    Did Chelsea want him ? No.
    Did he reject a contract with Chelsea? No.
    No problem then…

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    Mute Dylan
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:16 PM

    Supposedly they were offered new contracts. I doubt it’s true.

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    Mute willie
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 11:57 AM

    Just proves that in the majority of cases the club loyalty card some of these players play mean sweet feck all….. Lampard can gloss it up all he likes, Chelsea fans won’t like this

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    Mute Cathal O'Flaherty
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 12:14 PM

    I think fans are kidding themselves if they expect loyalty from players.It’s just a job,clubs have no problem getting rid of players when it suits them,so players act in their own best interest,like we all do in our careers.

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    Mute Mick Power
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 2:16 PM

    Just goes to show with Chelsea players its always about the money

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    Mute Andrew Hickey
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 2:27 PM

    Just Chelsea players. Yeah spot on there. Muh

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    Mute john connolly
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    Aug 3rd 2014, 4:43 PM

    Ah come on,can u name any player that offered to take a pay cut when they are looking for a long contract????

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