Falkirk have confirmed that former Derby County striker Conor Sammon is among eight players to leave the League One club after a disappointing season.
The Bairns looked set for the league title and a return to the Scottish Championship at the turn of the year. But a torrid run of form in 2021 has resulted in co-managers David McCracken and Lee Miller leaving the club and a fifth place finish, not reaching the promotion play-offs. Now the likes of the former Derby County striker will leave the club.
The former Derby County striker will leave Falkirk. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group via Getty Images)
Sammon scored four goals on 24 games this term and he leaves alongside Jay Cantley, Akeel Francis, Morgaro Gomis, Aidan Laverty, Robbie Leitch, Scott Mercer and Josh Todd. Discussions are taking place with other players about their respective futures.
A manager is being hunted in the background as interim boss Gary Holt returns to his position as sporting director. Peter Grant has been linked with the role after leaving Alloa Athletic, chairman Gary Deans sending an apology to fans after a poor term.
He said: “The last few weeks have been amongst the most difficult that we have had to endure, and I want to write on behalf of the Board to apologise to you all for our failure to achieve the number one priority – promotion from League 1.
Leitch is also on the move from Falkirk. (Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“Like you, we have been coming to terms with the raw emotion of it all. The pain is almost physical and I, like you, never want to experience this again. All of the Board have been asked the same question – what went wrong? We were, after all, 3 points clear at the top with 6 games to go.
“The truth is that performances had been declining before that and since the return from league suspension which left us all very concerned. This led to the departure of our coaches which was necessary but difficult. We have spent days as a Board discussing the steps that need to be taken to address the challenges we face.
“There will be changes to our squad, and we will be making announcements on this in the next few days and weeks, as we release players and bring in new faces. Our number one priority is the appointment of a new Head Coach and this process is well under way. I am sorry that we have failed you.”
NTOF now offers a YouTube channel featuring exclusive interviews, post-match discussion, in-depth debate, and much more – LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and don’t miss any of our videos.