What a few weeks it has been for those that follow the
goings on at the Irish FA, both on and off the pitch.
A famous victory against Russia, Portugal nearly joining the
impressive list of scalps that have been taken at Windsor in the month of
September, an embarrassing defeat to European minnows Luxembourg and most
concerning, the return of the man who has attempted more comebacks than Audley
Harrison, David Martin.
So why is one man causing so much stir in local football, not
just in the corridors of power at Windsor Avenue, but also the terraces and
more importantly, those that call the funding shots at DCAL?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer and while some have
likened Martin to Baldrick in Blackadder, it would be more appropriate to think
of him as a JR Ewing type character.
Indeed minus the oil and sunshine, the Martin story could be
lifted straight from the Dallas scriptwriters’ notepads, with tales of
manipulation and an egocentric main character determined to gain power, no
matter what the cost.
So what is Martin’s history
in the IFA?
Martin has been in and around the IFA for over three
decades, with one supporter noting he had stayed with other IFA Officials in
their fans hotel in Salou in 1982.
As former Treasurer of the IFA, Martin oversaw the £500,000
severance package to former General Secretary David Bowen, with Stephen Looney
making the following interesting comments in a recent podcast
‘He was Treasurer of the IFA when the accounts were deemed shambolic,
when David Bowen said he carried the figures about in his head’.
Despite those damning comments, Martin currently holds the
same position within the NAFL, which he qualifies for through his local club
Downshire Young Men F.C., who compete in Division 1b of that League.
Elected to the Vice President role in 2007, many were of the
belief during that period that Martin was on course to become the new
President, with Mark McIntosh reporting that ‘a high-ranking source’ had stated
“David Martin's stock within the Irish FA has gone up considerably and he is
seen as the face of the future”.
It was in 2008 when the name David Martin came to prominence for most supporters however, with the infamous sacking of Howard Wells. This of course
ended up not just costing the Irish FA over £500,000, but also resulted in, as the then DCAL
Minister put it
'diverting resources from those who play and support football
at all levels’.
That was not the only time Martin’s name had hit the
headlines however, with many of the belief that he was the central figure
behind the controversial ‘Dunloy’ proposals, which ironically previously almost
cost the local game some of the DCAL millions in 2010.
In addition, it was David Martin who chaired the Irish FA
Disciplinary Committee back in 2009, which controversially banned Linfield and
Glentoran playing each other on public holidays, leading to the Glentoran
Chairman at the time, Aubrey Ralph, threatening that Premiership clubs may
leave the IFA to form their own league.
Outside of the game Martin is known to run a sports trophy
business, although with controversy seemingly following the man from
Hillsborough, some have openly questioned on online forums if he supplies the
Irish FA and if that causes a conflict of interest. Note, the author is neither suggesting
anything untoward nor questioning this relationship, if it does indeed exist.
What was his role in the
Wells saga?
There are very few who have even a remote interest in
Northern Irish Football that would not be aware of the furore that surrounded
the game in 2008, when the then Chief Executive Officer, Howard Wells, was
sacked following the International sides 2-0 defeat against Slovenia.
While that was enough to get eyebrows twitching, it was the
events afterwards that got them really moving up and down, with a subsequent
unfair dismissal claim that went onto cost the Association £516,000. Yes, that
is right, five hundred and sixteen thousand pounds.
So what hand did Martin play in this?
Well it is hard to say for certainty, as Martin failed to
attend two requests to discuss the circumstances that led up to the sacking and
only provided written answers for the Sports NI review report.
These replies failed to elaborate and provide any clarification
on the role he played, which gives an indication that he is not the Mr. Bean
type character that some have built up in their mind about him.
What is known for certain is that Martin was the only Board
member in attendance with Raymond Kennedy, when the Irish FA Solicitors advised
both gentlemen of the potential circumstances if Wells was fired
Failing to heed that advice, it wasn’t long after that until
Kennedy and Martin, waltzed (it cannot be confirmed if they were holding hands
at the time) into Wells office and delivered the letter terminating the
employment of the CEO, despite not having the authority to do so.
This ultimately led to Wells taking his unfair dismissal to
court and subsequently dancing into the horizon, with enough loot to help
develop the next breed of International stars or keep most Leagues running for
a significant period of time.
Despite the damning report that followed on their roles in
the Wells saga and the fears that the Government would not release any Stadium
funding, neither Kennedy nor Martin relinquished their roles without a fight.
This is despite of the then Sports Minister, Nelson
McCausland, stating
"Significant payouts to former employees have diverted resources
from those who play and support football at all levels and as a result has
eroded public confidence in the IFA,"
"An extremely damaging independent review into the circumstances
surrounding the sacking of the previous IFA chief executive found that the two
most senior officers of the Association acted in the knowledge of the financial
risk of their actions for the Association.
"I would have great difficulty in placing further public funds in
the hands of an organisation where these individuals remained in a senior
position.
When Martin and Kennedy did offer their resignation, the
Minister went on to state
"I recognise the immediate steps that have been taken today by the
IFA to reassure all those with an interest in local football that the first
step to progress is being made to address issues within the structure of the
Association.
"The IFA is the body responsible for the development of football
in Northern Ireland. Deficiencies in the IFA's governance arrangements have
resulted in significant payouts, which inevitably diverts resources from those
who play and support football at all levels.
"It is important that Government has confidence in the IFA and
today's developments represent helpful evidence that our concerns regarding
governance arrangements are being acknowledged.
"Given the seriousness of these issues I would expect the IFA to
progress this as a matter of urgency in the coming days and weeks”.
The Dunloy proposals
One would think that after the Wells affair, Martin would
have had his fair share of controversy; however that was found not to be the
case, with the next episode in the drama coming in the form of the ‘Dunloy’
proposals.
To many junior Clubs (where the voting power is held) the
call for a reduced eight-man executive with only one independent member meant
little and with clubs of that rank due to take a more significant role, due to
the reduction of voting strength of the Premiership and Championship clubs, it
could only be a good thing for them.
What was a relatively open secret amongst many at the time
was that although Billy McIlroy and Robert Fenton were the front men behind a
shadowy group behind the scenes, David Martin was heavily involved and pulling
the strings from the side lines, as he so often is known to do
Another item the group also kept from those they were asking
to vote in line with them, was a letter sent to Mr. McIlroy on the 25th
August 2010 from DCAL. The letter was subsequently leaked and posted on the
Irish League Supporters Forum about a month after. An extract of the contents
is below
‘In the wake of the report commissioned by Sport Nl at the request of
the Minister on the circumstances leading to the dismissal of the former CEO,
and other decisions taken at the recent AGM, the IFA assured the Minister that
a radical, independent review of its governance arrangements would take place.
Such a review will be essential in re-building the much needed
confidence in the IFA.
The Minister has repeatedly made clear that an independent review
should precede any structural change and any such proposals, including those
from Dunloy Football club, will need to be analysed in the context of this
review and benchmarked against best practice in governance and accountability.
When government committed £8m to the Soccer Strategy it was agreed that
new structures for governance and accountability would be put in place and this
included the recruitment of a number of independent members to the Executive
Board.
Any perceived or actual diminution in the role of independent members
such as your proposals seem to imply would be regarded by government as a
retrograde step in the absence of a full review of the current structures.
To implement any new proposals before the full independent review is
complete would be premature. It will be necessary to analyse the problems
within the IFA structures and governance
before a proper, sustainable solution can be identified and implemented’.
Despite the clear threat to funding in the letter above, such
was the desire to push the proposals forward, Robert Fenton, at the time a
journalist with the Belfast Telegraph, even took to promoting the proposals in
his column within the tele’s ‘The Park’ supplement.
Realising the real threat to funding, in an unusual step for
the Amalgamation of the Northern Ireland Supporters (AoNISC), the groups
released the following statement just under a week before the vote was due to
happen
‘The Irish Football Association will be holding an Extraordinary
General Meeting on Thursday 23rd September at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast.
At this meeting, the IFA's member clubs will be asked to support a
series of proposals which change the way in which the IFA is structured. Many
of these proposals increase the representation for junior football and are
worth consideration.
BUT - If these proposals are passed on Thursday, then the Government will
not hand over the £23 MILLION needed to upgrade Windsor Park for international
matches.
Other funding for football is also at risk, such as Grassroots Coaching
programmes which help develop young players in schools and communities across
the country.
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A FOOTBALL CLUB, THEN YOUR CLUB WILL HAVE A VOTE
ON THIS ISSUE. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CLUB'S VOTE IS USED WISELY’.
Despite all this, the ‘Dunloy’ proposers, including Martin,
continued with their intention to have the Articles amended at the EGM and they
were put to the vote in a room were those present could almost taste the
tension.
Fortunately for football in this country, the controversial
Articles were withdrawn at the very last minute; however this was not due to
Martin and his associates gaining a conscience for what they were about to do.
Thankfully, a gentleman who goes under the online pseudonym
‘Mr. Parker’ spotted a failing in the proposals, causing the articles to fall
in a domino effect, leaving the night to end in a complete farce.
How did Martin get back into
power?
One answer to that question would be, ‘it hasn’t been for
the want of trying’.
Using his knowledge of the Articles, Martin was aware that
by getting nominated by his faithful comrades on Council, he could take up a
position as Deputy President. To many this is the final stepping stone to what
many believe is Martin’s main objective; ultimately taking over the President
role,
One thing has previously stood in his way however; the
Independent Commission and in particular former Article 11.1, which provided
the Commission with…..
‘….the remit to assess and approve candidates’
qualification for election or co-option to the Board, including the Office
Bearers and to define the process under which such assessments and approvals
are made’.
Unknown to a lot of member clubs, Martin had in the past few
years failed the suitability assessment on several occasions, so what better
way to remove his last remaining obstacle and get rid of the Commission.
And that is exactly what he did, with Article 11 being
removed at the 2013 AGM in the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen.
With the Independent Commission now out of the way and no
other person prepared to take on Martin in an election, Martin was elected
unopposed (and controversially) into the role of Deputy President in September
2013 under Article 9.
Why does he have such a fan
base?
Without being a paid up subscriber to the Martin golden
circle, it is difficult to know what the exact hold that the man has over Council
members.
Indeed, why would any self-respecting person with the good
of football at heart be behind him in becoming not only an Irish FA Board
member, but holding the esteemed position of Deputy President?
One theory is that by having his voice in so many ears,
anyone with any ambition of progressing through the backroom ranks, getting a
seat on any of the prestigious Committees, being presented with an Irish FA
blazer or, as some are believed to be in it for, taking in a 5-star all
expenses trip away, is reluctant to go against him.
By doing so would be akin to hanging the rope in preparation
for their own footballing backroom career suicide.
This school of thought is highlighted by Stephen Looney in
the recent Social Club NI podcast, when he stated
‘Anyone who speaks out against David Martin is moved against very, very
swiftly indeed’
Certainly it will be interesting keeping an eye on any
movements within the IFA Board, Council or Committees in the next period, as it
might give an indication of whom the decent men/women are there; those with a
genuine concern for the game we all love so much.
Is this not a dangerous game
for Council members to play?
Previously it wasn’t, as Martin’s powerbase is made up with
his ability to manipulate Junior football into voting in line with his agenda.
Most of it went under the radar, as the vast majority of the
900+ members are only concerned with their own club and what is going on around
them; not what is happening up around Windsor Avenue.
Indeed, one only has to look back and consider that 14
members of Council did not back a motion of no confidence in then President
Raymond Kennedy following his role in the Wells saga, indicating a sense of
being untouchable, due to them being ghost like figures to the rank and file
members.
The tide is changing however, with more and more clubs
beginning to question what is happening and why one man is single handily
dragging the reputation of the Association through the gutter yet again.
Will these Council members soon have to become more
accountable to the member clubs, who start questioning and becoming more
inquisitive of their every move?
Added to that, with DCAL Minister Ní Chuilín recently
stating the following in the Assembly in relation to football funding, it won’t
be long until Junior clubs begin to realise that Martin’s appointment is
jeopardising potential funding that is due to come their way.
"I need to be assured that appropriate governance and
accountability structures have been maintained. Until that happens, I can't
sign off on any agreement”
If this does happen, and by all accounts it is not just a
thinly coated threat, then it will be those Council members who will have to
explain to the member clubs why they allowed it to happen under their watch.
As a new wave of membership begin to come through and
Martin’s era comes to an end, will their actions in backing him be forgotten?
Perhaps those Council members should remember the words of
Bobby Jameson in 2010, when he stated
"There has to be accountability. That is what Raymond promised
when he and David Martin approached me to oppose Jim Boyce and support
Raymond's bid for presidency in 2007. I accepted his assurances and voted for
him and have to say it is much to my regret now."
Is it really a bad thing for
Martin to take up the Deputy President role?
Few in the local game are likely to argue against Stephen
Looney’s assertion that Martin is a ‘polished administrator’ or has a vast
knowledge of the local game. Indeed many would put his ability to manipulate
the Articles of Association down to him having drafted many of them.
It also should be acknowledged that this knowledge goes
beyond the local game, with the minutes of the 2003 International Football Association
Board AGM, held in the Culloden Hotel, noting that he was an attendee alongside
a certain Joseph S. Blatter.
However, before answering that question, it would be worth
remembering three of the core Association values that Patrick Nelson laid out in
the in the 2010/11 Irish FA’s Activity report, namely
‘Professional’ – We must be professional in all we do,
meticulous in our planning and execution, leaving no stone unturned and nothing
to chance.
‘Caring and Confident’ –
The Association must show a duty of care for all involved in the game. It is
not good enough to leave it to others, to all players, officials, supporters,
referees, administrators – everyone. We must show and be shown care, and
concern. Whilst the Association must be confident to believe in that we are
doing in all aspects is right and for the right reasons.
‘Honesty’ – Being honest,
saying it as it is, not being underhand or devious – honesty and integrity must
be watch words for the Irish FA.
Reading through these values, there are few of Martin’s
proponents who can honestly say that with knowledge of his misdemeanours in the
past, he actively demonstrates and promotes these values.
As examples, can the value of ‘Professional’ be used for a
man whose actions, albeit in a joint capacity, previously cost the Association over
£500k in the Wells affair? That does not even consider the fact that he failed
the Board competency test on more than one occasion.
The value of ‘Caring and Confident’ highlights ‘a duty of
care for all involved in the game’.
Does this sound like a characteristic of a man who is
potentially putting at risk millions and millions of pounds destined to the
Association and the wider members, including senior, junior, boys, ladies and
other strands?
For those who argue that this is not the case, they should
consider the following comments from the Minister extremely carefully.
“However the recent changes to
the Articles of Association to remove the requirement for those seeking
election to senior positions to be approved by an Independent Commission is
seen by the Department as a retrograde step and potentially breaches existing
funding agreements between the Department and the IFA for development costs
associated with the redevelopment of Windsor Park”.
Moving on to ‘honesty’, the way Martin manipulated those
around him and the majority of member clubs to amend the Articles to suit his
personal ambition, not only highlights how underhand he can be, but also the
deviousness he is prepared to employ in order to achieve his goal, no matter
what the effect might be to the whole of the wider football community.
To put this in a different light, imagine a company that has
a fully functioning Board, which has a vacancy on it. That Board has procedures
put in place to ensure that not only does the most suitable person gets the
job, but one who meets predefined criteria to ensure the integrity of the
Company is upheld, whilst also getting the approval of those trusted onto the
interview panel.
A candidate for the position comes along and demonstrates
some suitable criteria, however is not deemed as someone suitable under
criteria already agreed. Therefore his application is rejected.
The applicant goes away, recharges his batteries and on the
next occasion a place comes up on the Board, he reapplies. Again the company
follows correct procedure and again finds him unsuitable for the position.
The candidate soon realises that he is not going to get onto
the Board by following proper procedure, so he calls in some favours by using
some high powered friends, he gets the interview panel sacked, the procedures
rewritten and he soon takes up his place.
In the normal world, that Company’s shareholders would be
going into meltdown, with share prices falling more quickly than Ashley Young
at the edge of the eighteen yard box.
If the member clubs, whether that be a men’s pub team in
Ardglass, a ladies football team in Newry or a senior team like Carrick Rangers,
think of themselves as those shareholders, then surely they should be extremely
concerned at the devious way Martin went about getting his place on the Board.
What is next?
While the above most likely will not sway either Martin or
his gang of merry men too much, one would hope that by taking a step back and
recognising the damaging and negative effect that his appointment is having on
the public view of the Association, they may do the correct thing for football
in this country.
That however is probably too much to ask for and therefore
it is up to the 900+ member clubs to begin asking questions of their Council
representatives, via their Divisional Associations, on the matter.
It is up to those 900+ member Clubs to begin to put pressure
on their IFA Council representatives to get Martin to do the decent thing and
stand down.
Moving forward, those member Clubs need to begin taking
their time to understand what their vote is being used for and the potential
consequences; opposed to giving it away by proxy. This can only be achieved by
reading the Articles of Association, which are effectively the rules of our
Governing body.
Those member Clubs, no matter if they are Senior, Junior,
youth, ladies, NI supporters clubs (via the AoNISC) or whatever strand of
football, need to realise that they are the shareholders of football in this
country and only with them working to get an understanding of what is going on
behind the scenes, will football in this country move forward once and for all.
