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Collins during his time in charge. INPHO/Donall Farmer

€6,000 would have sorted us out, says Mons boss Roddy Collins

He says that potential investors wouldn’t part with their money due to pressure from creditors.

MONAGHAN UNITED MANAGER Roddy Collins believes €6,000 would have been enough to save the club from going under.

Last week, the Mons released a statement announcing their withdrawal from the Airtricity League due to financial reasons.

The likes of Sporting Fingal and Dublin City have folded in recent years, and Monaghan became the latest League of Ireland team to pull out midway through a season.

The FAI, whose members were in Poland following the senior international team at the time, expressed their surprised at the decision as it had received no indication that they were planning to withdraw. The PFAI, meanwhile, stated that there was no attempt made by the club to hold discussions.

Speaking to Ger Gilroy on Newstalk Sport this afternoon, Collins expressed his sadness at having to pack the job in.

It’s very difficult trying to get to grips to the situation and sort players out,” he said. “How on a such a small budget the club could be pulled from the league (I don’t know) . It has happened before and it will happen again. I’m a bit puzzled.

“I’m trying to keep the anger down. I’m not disillusioned with football but with the situation that is happening in this country.

“The likes of the meals being cooked by my wife and driving to the games instead of a coach was ridiculed but the players never took it to heart and worked for very little money.

“All I’m concerned about is getting the players fixed up becaused I sold them the idea so I feel a little bit guilty.”

Rollins, who is currently looking into the possibility of managing in Asia, revealed that he has helped all but seven of the squad to find new clubs so far. The former Dublin City, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians boss also added that it would only have taken a four-figure sum to keep the club with one of the smallest wage bills in the league to stay afloat.

“€6,000 would have sorted us out. The lads wanted the back money they were owed and the fixtures weren’t coming to get good gates until August. There was a whip around the town and we only came out with €400.

“I do know people who have a few quid but they said that they can’t be seen by creditors to be handing out money.”

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