Beckett forced to quit Limavady
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Liam Beckett has been forced to vacate the Limavady Utd manager’s post after just one game citing family and business reasons.
BALLYMONEY man Liam Beckett is back out of football management after just one game in charge of Limavady Utd.
Beckett was forced to vacate the post on Wednesday.
The former 'Stute and Cliftonville manager had succeeded Ollie Mullan as Limavady Utd boss after the latter parted company with the Showgrounds club 'by mutual consent.'
Pior to last Tuesday evening, the Roesiders had languished at the foot of the IFA Championship having lost their opening four league games and lost 6-4 to Ballinamallard United at the weekend.
Beckett took charge of the side in his first game that evening and led the club to its first league win of the season against another one of his former clubs, Ballymoney Utd.
Beckett had hoped to reschedule a pre-arranged business meeting in America this week to help out the IFA Championship side, but has now been forced to make the cross-Atlantic trip that will see him in the States for the next six weeks.
Beckett said it was unfortunate he couldn't continue the role.
"I had accepted the job and was looking forward to it, but it became clear on Monday or Tuesday that maybe I had returned to management too soon," he said.
"I have family and business commitments that take up all my time at present, and I have a family member who is ill in hospital.
"I was happy to give the club a helping hand when they approached me, but unfortunately it won't be possible to manage the club any longer."
Beckett heaped praise on the Limavady board for their professionalism, including chairman David Young.
"Limavady is a great club with great people, and if I was able to commit I would have jumped at the chance. But if I can't commit 100 per cent then I can't do the job," he added.
"David Young really sold the post to me, and they have a great set-up at the club. It is a job I was really keen on but unfortunately it just isn't feasible at this time.
"It wouldn't have been fair on anyone - the club, the players, fans or myself."
The Ballymoney man informed Chairman David Young of his decision early on Wednesday morning.
"Liam came and told me first thing on Wednesday morning to be fair saying that his personal problems hadn't cleared up," he said.
"He also had work commitments as well but to be honest it's not all doom and gloom.
"We have appointed Paul Gaston and Gary Scott as caretaker managers for the Coagh game at the weekend and for the Coleraine game next Tuesday night.
"We will see how things go after these two games and if we do well then they will continue in the role.
"At the moment we are not interviewing anyone so we will just have to wait and see what happens," concluded the United chairman.
Limavady United's Co-Operative Insurance Cup First Round Second Leg against Coagh United, scheduled for Wednesday, 3 September has been postponed due to the Roesiders playing in the North West Senior Cup on Tuesday, 2 September 2008. This game has been re-arranged to be played on Tuesday, 9 September 2008, Kick-off: 7.45 p.m.
Therefore, United's IFA Championship tie Ballyclare Comrades to have been played Tuesday, 9 September 2008 has been postponed and will be re-arranged within 30 days.
