Ramblers still leaderless - November 23, 2000
Cobh Ramblers are still searching for a manager after two candidates ruled themselves out of contention last night.
The Eircom first division club has been without a manager since John O'Rourke quit last month. Officials approached former player and manager George Mellerick, currently coaching junior neighbours Cobh Wanderers - but Mellerick turned them down, claiming prior commitments.
The club also sounded out veteran player John Murphy on the possibility of taking over as player-manager - but the former skipper also said no.
"The timing is just not right for me at this stage, nor do I feel I have enough experience to take on the job," Murphy said.
Mellerick, who guided Ramblers to promotion in 1992 before being sacked two years later, said: "Obviously I have a great love for Cobh Ramblers having played for and managed them in the past but I am committed to Cobh Wanderers as their manager for the immediate future and it is just bad timing with respect to the Ramblers job".
Pakie Kelly will continue as caretaker manager but is believed not to be interested in a permanent post.
Club chairman Liam Amphlett said: "The search will continue. We didn't expect the process to go on quite this long but we will not be rushing into any decision. We want to get the right man for the job and are prepared to search for as long as that takes"