Football: Forest Green finally confirm Harvey sacking (From Gazette Series)

Jim Harvey sacked as manager of Forest Green Rovers FC

2:07pm Friday 21st August 2009 in Sport

FOREST GREEN have finally confirmed the departure of Jim Harvey from his post as manager of the club, 23 days after it was rumoured that he had left his post.

In a statement released today Rovers confirmed the departure of the man who had guided them to their highest ever league position.

The statement read: "Forest Green Rovers Football Club are now able to confirm that on Thursday 13th August 2009 the contract of Jim Harvey, as Manager at the club, was terminated.

It would be remiss of the club not to recognise the style of play which teams under Mr Harvey’s management produced since his appointment in September 2006 and for that, the Board of Directors thank him not only on their own behalf but on behalf of all supporters.

Due to the ongoing disciplinary process, Forest Green Rovers has not been able to make any earlier statements about the situation with Mr Harvey, however, the club is now able to respond to articles and statements which have appeared, including a public statement made by Mr Harvey and his legal advisors on 12th August.

We wish to place on record that Mr Harvey has only once been given permission to speak to another club with regards to a vacant managerial position and that was at Oxford United in December 2008.

Nevertheless, during his period of employment as manager, Mr Harvey was interviewed for a similar position at another club without Forest Green Rovers being made aware until after an unsuccessful interview. He apologised, stating it was “out of character”. He also gave an undertaking and an assurance it would not happen again.

As part of the consequence of that specific event Mr Harvey signed a new contract, with an added clause to cover any such future interest with another club. This was agreed in conjunction with his solicitors.

The substance of this recent matter follows Mr Harvey being requested to account for certain actions which were alleged to have taken place during May and July 2009. It had come to the Club’s attention that Mr Harvey might have been in breach of his contract of employment by attempting to secure a similar position at another club without permission. Of particular concern was an allegation that Mr Harvey was prepared not to properly attend to his duties at a match involving Forest Green Rovers FC so he could make himself available for interview at this other club.

The club refute any suggestions that Mr Harvey was dismissed on 29 July 2009; the meeting held that day was an investigation to determine whether there were grounds to warrant formal disciplinary action. In compliance with the clubs disciplinary procedures, evidence was formally gathered and then served on Mr Harvey inviting him to a hearing on Monday 10th August 2009, which he declined to attend.

At that hearing, held by club directors not involved in the 29th July meeting, evidence including signed statements, a transcript of a telephone call and evidence of other telephone calls was considered.

The allegation was found proved, in that Mr Harvey, without the prior permission of the club, had telephoned the Chairman of another club with a view to securing the position of Manager of that club and thereby was in breach of Clause 17.3 of his contract of employment. Furthermore, it was decided that Mr Harvey’s actions were a serious and flagrant breach of his contract of employment and the accepted protocols of football practice. These protocols are in place throughout football and ensure that the movement of managers from one club to another does not become an unregulated free for all.

Throughout this matter the club has kept its counsel, contrary to some suggestions otherwise being made in the media, and we will defend rigorously any action contemplated by Mr Harvey of any alleged “wrongdoing” by the club.

The club has never, nor will it in the future, stand in the way of any player or member of the management team in seeking employment elsewhere, provided it is done in accordance with the terms of their individual contracts and accepted codes of practice operating in the game.

In closing this unhappy chapter in the history of the club, the Board fully appreciates the unfortunate timing of this decision but wishes to assure supporters and all followers of the club that it will always put the interests of the club first and foremost."