Cherries: Mitchell claims Burnley in for Taylor

07 July 2011 07:00
Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell has accused Des Taylor of disguising his reasons for wanting to quit as the club's chief scout.[LNB] Mitchell has hit back after Taylor said a lack of ambition by the club had been behind his decision to tender his resignation, as revealed exclusively by the Daily Echo yesterday.[LNB] However, Mitchell has described Taylor's claims as rubbish and confirmed the club would not be accepting his resignation.[LNB] Mitchell believes Taylor wants to leave as he already has a position lined up with former Cherries boss Eddie Howe at Burnley.[LNB] Taylor, who recently attended the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark, first started working for Cherries on a voluntary basis under Howe in March 2009.[LNB] Mitchell told the Daily Echo: The truth of the matter is that he has been offered employment elsewhere, either on a permanent or freelance basis, and I think he has used the club's facilities to get that employment.[LNB] He probably used our mobile phone to engage himself, he probably used our car to go to meetings and he probably used the £2,000-plus money he got to go to under-21 tournament for the benefit of another club.[LNB] To say our club is not ambitious as an excuse is rubbish. I think we are the most ambitious club in the division.[LNB] Mitchell, who yesterday issued a statement on the club website in response to Taylor's comments in the Daily Echo, added: We know for a fact, because Des told us, that he has been talking to Burnley.[LNB] He will deny it but I know it is the truth.[LNB] When contacted by the Daily Echo yesterday lunchtime, Taylor, who has a contract with the club until next summer, confirmed his resignation had not been formally accepted.[LNB] He added: Until such time as my resignation is formally accepted then I will remain an employee of AFC Bournemouth.[LNB] Once they have relinquished me from my contract, any future plans I have will become apparent.[LNB] Despite my efforts to contact the chief executive Neill Blake, he has steadfastly refused to take my call and it is apparent, on checking my bank balance, that they have blocked my salary payment that was due last week.[LNB] As far as I'm concerned, that is very bad practice. Unfortunately, AFC Bournemouth are handling this in a very bad way.[LNB] In a statement, Burnley said: Burnley Football Club strongly refutes allegations made today (Wednesday) by AFC Bournemouth chairman Mr Eddie Mitchell.[LNB] In a statement on the AFC Bournemouth official website, Mr Mitchell accuses Burnley Football Club of being underhand and unprofessional' and of making an illegal approach for chief scout Mr Des Taylor.[LNB] This statement is factually incorrect in all regards to Burnley Football Club, which has not approached, nor offered Mr Taylor any position at Turf Moor.[LNB] Nor, as alleged by Mr Mitchell, did Burnley Football Club utilise the services of Mr Taylor at the U21 European Championships.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo