Roddy Collins steps away from role as general manager at Athlone Town

Roddy Collins

Daniel McDonnell Twitter Email

February 28 2018 11:15 AM

Roddy Collins has stepped down from his position as Athlone Town General Manager.

The Dubliner will continue to offer the club help on an advisory basis, but his day to day association with the Midlanders has come to an end.

Collins took over as Athlone boss last May at a time where the cloud of match fixing allegations hung over the club.

He stayed in charge until the end of the season, but Aaron Callaghan came in over the winter to take control of first team affairs with Collins moving upstairs to the role of General Manager.

But he has departed the club just one game into the new First Division season, although an Athlone Town spokesman stressed last night that they remained on good terms with Collins.

"We owe Roddy a lot, " said the spokesman, "He came into the club at a difficult time and we are very grateful for his contribution. He will always be welcome in Athlone."

Callaghan's side are operating off a small budget and they kicked off their new season with a 4-1 defeat to Galway United.

In September, Athlone players Igors Labuts and Dragos Sfrijan, were banned from football for a year following an FAI investigation into allegations of irregular betting patterns and they continue to fight their case.

The duo joined Athlone at the start of 2017 after an overseas consortium put their funds into the club, but those investors have now moved on.