Legal wrangle over Smith's departure from Loughgall FC

A LEGAL wrangle is brewing following an announcement by Loughgall FC that they had parted company with longtime manager Dean Smith “by mutual consent”.

It’s a version of events disputed by Mr Smith who is now being represented by Jamie Bryson’s JWB Consultancy.

His representatives are arguing ‘unfair dismissal’ and said it was now a “live legal matter”.

In its statement released, on Thursday night (March 7) the club said, “Loughgall FC have tonight parted company with manager Dean Smith by mutual consent.

“The club wishes to place on record its thanks to Dean for his service over the past eight years.”

“Full Club Statement to follow in due course.”

A short time later JWB Consultancy issued a statement “on behalf of our client: Mr Dean Smith”.

The JWB statement said, “We represent Mr Dean Smith. Our client has not agreed to terminate his contract.

“The statement issued tonight by Loughgall FC is factually and legally incorrect and amounts to unfair dismissal. There will be no further comment as this is now a live legal matter.”

The announcement comes as Loughgall rests at the bottom of the league - 12 points behind 11th-placed Carrick Rangers.

It also follows from a 15-game ban imposed on Mr Smith for breaches of the Irish Football Association’s disciplinary code.

That ban came after comments Mr Smith made after Loughgall’s 2-1 defeat against Glentoran in January.

Mr Smith was given a 10-match ban for breaching article 23.1 which relates to “offending the dignity of a person or group of persons through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words or actions concerning race, colour, language, religion, sectarianism”.

A further five-game suspension was imposed under article 14.1 which deals with players or officials “reported for unsporting conduct towards a match official”.

Loughgall’s season so far has been blighted by injuries and suspensions with the side struggling to find the form of the last two seasons which brought them so much success.

Mr Smith led the club to promotion tothe Premiership in the 2022-23 campaign - making Loughgall the smallest settlement in Europe with a team in ‘top flight’ football.

They built on that success last season as a team to watch finishing in ninth place - with 13 wins under their belt.

With some big name departures, combined with a series of injuries and suspensions this season’s form has been poor and they have not won a league game since November.

Completing their woes they were knocked out of the Irish Cup by Championship side Ards last weekend.