9:25am Saturday 20th March 2010
By Derek Bish
TOP scorer Jake Reid has launched a scathing attack on chairman George Rolls after claiming he is still owed nine weeks’ wages by Weymouth FC.
The 22-year-old striker, who departed the Wessex Stadium for Blue Square Premier outfit Salisbury City earlier this month, was also strong in his disapproval of the way his team-mates, including captain Scott Brice, were asked to take a pay cut or leave.
Reid’s claims could hardly come at worse time for Rolls, who hopes to lead Weymouth through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) next Friday in order to keep the club in existence.
Reid said: “I still enjoyed my time at the club second time around but at the end of the day I’ve been left in a position where it has affected my livelihood.
“I’ve put a lot into it and not got a lot out. If anybody is under the impression that Weymouth FC will get back to the top under George Rolls’ ownership they need to think again.”
Former boss Ian Hutchinson managed to get the best out of the former Team Bath man, brother of West Bromwich Albion striker Reuben Reid, but he departed for Grays Athletic just before Christmas. Reid claims he still owed three weeks’ wages prior to his transfer.
But he was back at the Wessex Stadium just a month later after failing to secure a contract until the end of the season and said he shook hands with Rolls on a non-contract deal that was worth more than he asked for.
Although he saw little playing time after his return, the striker was full of praise for manager Jerry Gill, who departed the club last week after just 44 days in charge.
“Jerry did all the right things in training and brought fresh stuff to it,” said Reid. “There was never an issue between me and Jerry and the way things went in the last few weeks he was put in a position where he couldn’t do his job.
“He stood up for what he believed in. He didn’t agree with the way the players were being treated financially and made a stand.”
Salisbury City swooped for Reid in the lead up to the Terras’ match with Newport County on March 6, meaning he did not line up against the Blue Square South champions.
Just hours later, Scott Brice, Josh Llewellyn, Matt Groves and Martin Slocombe had their contracts terminated by mutual consent – Jordan Rose and Luke Benbow followed out the door later in the week.
“The manner in which he got other players to release themselves from contracts was disgusting,” said Reid. “What was the point of signing a contract if that was going to be the case?
“I was in complete disbelief at what was going on around me.”
He added: “Weymouth fans don’t really deserve that to be happening to them at their club.
“This year has been like a pantomime and most people just wouldn’t believe what has happened.”
George Rolls declined to comment.
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