Rovers debts will soar if Anelka is sacked

Last updated : 06 October 2004 By Chris Gallagher

Raith Rovers will have to pay back Claude Anelka his entire investment in the club if he is sacked before the end of his contract in the summer of 2006.

The controversial Frenchman has proved unpopular with the Rovers support since he took over from Antonio Calderon as Head Coach in the summer


After drawing one and losing eight games, Anelka moved into the newly created position of Director of Football last week.


But following their 2-0 defeat last Saturday against a Partick Thistle side that lost their entire programme of fixtures last month, Caretaker Manager Shaun Dennis labelled the first team squad made up mainly of 14 players Anelka brought to the club in the summer as a "shambles."

The clubs support will now be even more disillusioned after it emerged that the company owned by Mr. Anelka, which invested in the Kirkcaldy club in the summer can apparently get its money back if the Frenchman is sacked by the club in this period.

Since his arrival 3 members of the football management have left the club following disagreements with Anelka.


Popular ex manager Antonio Calderon who led the club to the 2nd Division championship in 2003 decided to leave the club as he thought it would be impossible to work in partnership with the new investor who as a condition of his involvement insisted in bringing in his own players.

Assistant manager David Martin left the club in August having described the current first team staff most of whom Anelka had signed as being "simply not of the standards required for the First Division."


His replacement was the respected John Hollins. Last month the former England and Chelsea player was tipped by the Godfather of Scottish Football management Alex Smith as being the right man to sort out the problems at Starks Park.


Hollins has since left the club after less than 2 months.


The clubs tricky financial situation meant that under pressure from the clubs bankers two directors purchased the stadium last year through their company West City Developments LTD and are leasing it back to the club every month.


By dismissing Anelka and having to reimburse his investment that tricky financial situation would become perilous.


Sources include Sunday Herald