
Marc Bircham receiving a red card during FAI Cup game against Athlone Town Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)
Blues owner has his say on Bircham sacking stating he was backed into a corner
- Macdara Ferris
- Tue, Nov 23 2021
When Waterford released their short statement on Tuesday morning on Twitter stating Marc Bircham’s contract had been terminated, they noted that “the club will be making no further comment at this time.”
However on Tuesday evening, the club’s owner Richard Forrest issued a statement to the media through Waterford’s media team where he outlined his position after relieving Bircham of his managerial duties just three days ahead of their crucial promotion/relegation final against UCD.
“I am extremely disappointed to have had to make this tough decision we did today especially given the huge match we have facing us on Friday.
"I feel we were backed into a corner, given an ultimatum, which as an owner left me no choice but to act now in the long term best interests of the club.
"I would have only made this decision when left with no other option and I take no personal satisfaction from it.
"Therefore, it would not be right for me to comment any further on the above as we now need to put all our energy into Friday's game and have the squad fully focused.”
The statement did include some word of thanks to Bircham.
“The club would like to thank Marc for the great job he has done for us and wish him all the best for the future.”
Waterford sack manager Marc Bircham https://t.co/MC4TR0bV10 pic.twitter.com/aFkIz1nmK9
— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) November 23, 2021

About Macdara Ferris
Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile
Team | P | W | D | L | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shamrock R | 25 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 53 |
2 | Dundalk | 26 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 49 |
3 | Derry | 25 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 45 |
4 | St. Pats | 25 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 39 |
5 | Sligo | 25 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 35 |
6 | Bohs | 25 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 32 |
7 | Shels | 24 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 31 |
8 | Drogheda | 27 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 30 |
9 | UCD | 26 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 16 |
10 | Harps | 26 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 15 |
Team | P | W | D | L | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cork | 25 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 57 |
2 | Galway | 25 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 53 |
3 | Waterford | 25 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 48 |
4 | Longford | 25 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 42 |
5 | Treaty United | 25 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 36 |
6 | Wexford | 25 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 32 |
7 | Bray | 25 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 21 |
8 | Cobh | 25 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 13 |
9 | Athlone | 24 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 8 |
Team | P | W | D | L | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SHE | 24 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 61 |
2 | PEA | 24 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 60 |
3 | WEX | 24 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 55 |
4 | DLR | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 39 |
5 | GAL | 24 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 29 |
6 | BOH | 24 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 19 |
7 | ATH | 24 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 19 |
8 | COR | 24 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 16 |
9 | TRE | 24 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 9 |
Top Stories
-
-
Saints sign goalkeeper Danny Rogers
- Gareth Penrose
- Sun, Aug 14 2022
-
League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Sligo Rovers
- Extratime Team
- Sun, Aug 14 2022
-
First Division Roundup
- Extratime Team
- Sun, Aug 14 2022
-
League Report: Cork City 0 – 2 Treaty United
- Dylan O'Connell
- Sat, Aug 13 2022
-
League Report: Shelbourne 4 - 0 Treaty United
- Paul Corcoran
- Sat, Aug 13 2022
-
In Pictures: Derry City 0 – 0 Shamrock Rovers
- John-Paul McGinley
- Sat, Aug 13 2022
-
League Report: UCD 2 - 1 Finn Harps
- Patrick O' Connor
- Sat, Aug 13 2022
-
-
Underage Player of the Month winners announced for April …
- Extratime Team
- Fri, Aug 12 2022
-
-
League Preview: UCD -v- Finn Harps
- Patrick O' Connor
- Fri, Aug 12 2022
-
Tim Clancy: ‘The ref was quick to put his …
- Macdara Ferris
- Thu, Aug 11 2022
-
Euro Wrap: Saints exit Europe after feisty ending in …
- Macdara Ferris
- Thu, Aug 11 2022
-
League Preview: Bohemians -v- Dundalk
- Paul Corcoran
- Thu, Aug 11 2022
-
Europa League Qualifier: St. Patrick’s Athletic 0 - 2 …
- Macdara Ferris
- Thu, Aug 11 2022
-
Major changes to extratime.com announced
- Gareth Penrose
- Wed, Aug 10 2022
-
Bradley says bring on the fear as Ferencvaros awaits …
- Macdara Ferris
- Tue, Aug 09 2022
-
Europa League Qualifier Report: Shkupi 1 - 2 Shamrock …
- Macdara Ferris
- Tue, Aug 09 2022
-
FAI Women's Cup semi-final draw
- Extratime Team
- Tue, Aug 09 2022
-
-
In Pictures: Bohemians 3 - 1 Sligo Rovers
- Extratime Photographers
- Sun, Aug 07 2022
-
In Pictures: Shelbourne 3 - 2 Peamount United
- Peter Fitzpatrick
- Sun, Aug 07 2022
-
League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Bohemians
- Extratime Team
- Sun, Aug 07 2022