The decision to remove Collins from office was unanimous and had been seen as inevitable after the Cumbrians' worst start to the season for 46 years. Colourful Collins who arrived at Brunton Park in August 2001, guided United to 17th place in his first season but was sacked four games from the end of it for criticising then owner Michael Knighton. With the takeover by his long-time friend John Courtenay in July of 2002, he was re-instated to the hotseat. However last season things didn't work out as hoped and United struggled to avoid the drop to the Conference, eventually winning a vital game 3-2 at Shrewsbury in April to finish one point above the trap-door. A desperate start of five successive defeats in league and cup in the current campaign persuaded the United board to act. They have placed Paul Simpson in temporary charge and the 37-year-old midfielder will pick the side for tomorrow afternoon's home game with Cambridge United. Simpson, who is Carlisle-born and bred, was manager of Rochdale last season before resigning during the summer. Simpson will have a selection headache straight away as left back Lee Maddison was sold to Gretna yesterday and striker Steve Livingstone is serving the last of his three-game suspension. Peter Murphy should return to the starting line-up in the left-back berth. Veteran former striker Ian Stevens was believed to have been sounded out by Collins about a possible return to the club yesterday, but it is not clear whether the deal will be completed now that Collins has gone. Courtenay admitted he was saddened by the decision but admitted that it was brought about by professional pressures. "It is a sad day for me in particular because, as everyone knows, Roddy and me were friends, but unfortunately this is football. We can't go on losing matches. If we fail to act now, people would see us as inept. I fear Roddy has been unfortunate, but circumstances have gone against him in many ways. I think he is a good manager and he's worked very hard at this club. I feel he will be successful somewhere else and I wish him all the best," he said. Amongst the names mentioned as contenders for the position include ex-boss Mick Wadsworth, who parted company with his most recent employers Huddersfield Town earlier this year, Nigel Clough, currently in charge of Conference side Burton Albion, former Irish international Niall Quinn and former United player Shaun Teale, who guided Burscough to the FA Trophy last season. Simpson will be a strong contender also to keep the job permanently. Courteney said today: "You can think about loads of people in football who are unemployed or whatever. Nothing has been decided. It was a big decision today." Picture from News & Star |
