Fenlon's Scottish move close to collapse

SOCCER:PAT FENLON'S proposed move to Dundee United looked to be on the verge of collapse last night despite the Dubliner having been offered the job and reached agreement on personal terms with the Scottish Premier League outfit during a flying visit to Scotland.

Bohemians continue to maintain they must be properly compensated in the event Fenlon makes the switch. However, Dundee United officials have claimed they do not have the money required, insisting the €280,000 in compensation they received from the Scottish Football Association when Craig Levein departed, all went into servicing debts of around €8 million.

Fenlon is clearly keen to take the job but with the Dubliner continuing to insist he will not walk out on his current employers unless an amicable solution can be found, his prospects of succeeding Levein appeared to be receding last night.

Matters were not helped either by a growing sense around Dalymount Park that Dundee United officials have been somewhat high handed in their attitude to the League of Ireland champions. The club apparently believed they would get their man for nothing or next to it as journalists in Scotland were told Fenlon would be free to walk away from his current position on the basis that delays in paying him some money owed to him amounted to a breach of contract.

This is disputed by Bohemians officials who maintain verbal agreements had been reached with regard to a schedule for any payments due. The Dubliner could still force the issue by simply resigning and allowing the clubs to battle it out over the size of the cheque to be handed over in lieu of the three years remaining on his contract but he has apparently said he will not do that and United are, in any case, reported to be wary of putting themselves in a position where a tribunal could make a substantial award against them.

Nevertheless, Fenlon is expected to meet Bohemians officials today to discuss his situation and it is possible he will avail of the opportunity to try to broker a deal. The gulf between the clubs appears to be considerable, however, with Bohemians club secretary Gerry Conway having suggested on Tuesday he saw Fenlon as being worth at least as much to his current employers as Levein was to United just a few weeks ago. The Scots appear to be willing to pay only a fraction of that amount.

Conway remained determined to take a strong position in relation to the stand-off last night insisting there was little that could be done as long as United declined even to get in touch but adding: “We are not going to allow ourselves to be walked on here and anyway, it’s fine by me if it doesn’t happen, I’ll be delighted.”

Former Bohemians boss Pete Mahon, meanwhile, has confirmed under-21 international left back Ian Bermingham has signed for St Patrick’s Athletic, having left Shamrock Rovers at the end of last season. Enda Stevens, who played in the position on a regular basis for the Inchicore outfit through much of 2009, moved in the opposite direction during December.