Glentoran confirm continued talks with fans in aftermath of Jay Donnelly signing
Donnelly, who served a three-month prison sentence in 2019 for distributing an indecent image of a child, was this week announced as the latest transfer by the ambitious Oval club.
Head coach Mick McDermott described the decision to bring in a player as ‘a judgement call’ and called for supporters to ‘trust and back’ the move.
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Hide AdExtensive consultation by McDermott and other Glens representatives with a number of organisations took place over weeks leading up to the unveiling, given the controversy around Donnelly.
And that process will continue, as planned, in response to the reaction of fans following the signing news.
“The club fully understands the breadth and depth of feeling some supporters have on this issue,” said a Glentoran spokesperson yesterday. “The manager did consult with a significant number of supporters and supporters’ clubs before making a final decision.
“The club will, as always, be happy to meet supporters’ organisations over this and other building plans for this year and moving forward.”
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Hide AdClub employees will also take part in educational courses on online behaviour alongside a review of the social medial policy.
The decision to bring in the player from Belfast Celtic has led to widespread debate - and been met with substantial criticism across social media and other platforms.
A Glentoran statement on Wednesday highlighted the club stance that Donnelly ‘has both paid and atoned for his past mistakes and deserves the opportunity to rebuild his life and football career’.
It also included how ‘Glentoran Football Club believes that everyone deserves a chance to put mistakes behind them and Jay Donnelly is no different’.
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Hide AdDonnelly, who will take part in counselling and guidance on the advice of McDermott, expressed on Wednesday that ‘I have had several years now to reflect on my actions, and I can guarantee everyone both in football and society that I have learned from my mistake and it is something I would never consider repeating’.
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