Kelly considers resigning in light of fans' protests
RAITH chairman Alan Kelly last night admitted that he may resign from his post at the struggling Kirkcaldy club.
The Dundee-based businessman was the victim of fans' protests on Saturday as Raith lost 3-1 to Hibs, leaving them second bottom of the first division and, after speaking with team manager Jimmy Nicholl, he is now considering whether he wants to continue at the helm or walk away from football altogether.
Raith lost #1m last season, and consequently have no cash to spend on players. With that in mind, Kelly, whose photocopying company sponsors Rovers,
confessed: ''The position after the weekend is that I will now
consider my position within the next two weeks.
''I did not expect the hostility of the supporters at the weekend, but if I feel that the majority of the fan-base don't want me at the club, and it is in the best interests of Raith Rovers then I will stand down.
''I spoke with Jimmy Nicholl yesterday, and I don't feel we are far away, but I am now thinking about what to do.''
Kelly has been a critic of the changes in Scottish football over the last year and last night he stated that the new Scottish Premier League does not give enough incentive for teams outwith the top flight to invest because of the size of the top division.
He explained: ''If the SPL decided that the league was going to go to 16 for next season, then maybe there would be an incentive for clubs to invest money.
''As long as we are in the dark about that, then there is little point in throwing money about.
''We have many positive things at Raith, with Craig McEwan and Craig Dargo playing for Scotland. We also have a good youth system. Jimmy is a top-class manager but the bottom line in football is the results on the park.''
Kelly also admitted that Raith have suffered as a result of failing to win promotion last season.
He said: ''Last term we tried our best to go up, paying Premier League wages, and now I will have to try and cut the wage bill. Now the position is clear, and if I feel that I am not wanted then I will walk away.''
Raith's worries are set to increase with the news that midfielder Dave Bowman is facing a four-match ban after being sent off against Hibs, taking him over the 16-point disciplinary threshold.
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