Derry City chairman says club has 'very different view' to James McClean on contract dispute
DERRY CITY chairman Philip O'Doherty has responded to accusations made by James McClean about his treatment by the Brandywell club after a public backlash over his mental health comments.
The City chairman maintains his view that the dispute with the player should be dealt with internally but added the club 'has a very different view of matters to James.'
He insists the club is working hard to resolve James' contract situation with talks expected to resume in the coming days.
"The club has been in dispute with James for a number of months about his contract," began Mr O'Doherty.
"I do not want to get into the specifics of the dispute but suffice it to say that the club has a very different view of matters to James. The club is continuing to work hard to try and resolve that dispute."
McClean felt Derry City's statement last Monday, which distanced the club from his controversial mental health comments in a newspaper interview, exacerbated his situation and the ensuing 'pile-on'. Mr O'Doherty 'welcomed' McClean's clarification.
"As regards James’ comments regarding mental health which were reported in last week’s Sunday Independent, the club issued a statement on Monday last. James has since clarified what he meant by the comments he made and that is to be welcomed.
"Finally, Derry City FC are very much in cup final preparation mode with a very large number of schools being visited.”