Controversial Oatway departs, while Henry slams Hawks regime
Rumours are abound after the departure of Hawks assistant manager Charlie Oatway.
The talk of West Leigh Park is Oatway and manager Gale had not seen eye to eye recently and the matter came to a head on Gale's return from holiday last week.
Gale, though, wouldn't be drawn on the matter.
He said: 'I would like to thank Charlie for all his hard work and effort over the last two years.
'He has helped take the club to another level and I wish him the best.'
Oatway's time at West Leigh Park hasn't been without controversy, notably when he was involved in a public slanging match with a section of the fans at Welling last season.
He launched an angry tirade at them when he thought they were listening in at the changing room door immediately after the game.
The fans in turn accused Oatway of being abusive towards them.
The affair dragged on for a few weeks until Oatway and some of the fans finally met to sort out their differences.
Oatway is not the only one leaving the Hawks controversially.
Henry had a swipe at the management team after turning down reduced terms in favour of joining Conference South rivals Newport County.
Gale, though, dismissed the criticisms levelled at him and assistant Oatway as 'sour grapes'.
Henry said: 'I couldn't get on with the management and there were too many cliques,' claimed Henry. 'Not many of the players like them.
'They fined me two weeks wages for not turning up for fitness tests the Thursday after the season finished.
'I had already booked to go on holiday.
'It was a frustrating season for me because of injury and I am glad to get away to take on a new challenge.'
Gale was surprised by the comments and was disappointed with Henry's attitude.
'Everyone is entitled to their opinion but in this case I think it is just sour grapes,' said Gale.
'He was fined because he was still contracted to the football club until the end of the month and failed to turn up at training.
'He told us a pack of lies about his holiday.
'I can look in the mirror and say that I have done my best for the Hawks and I wonder if Charlie could do the same.
'He is a good little player but spends far too much time sitting in the stand injured.
'The club would have kept him if he had been prepared to accept the reduced terms.
'Unfortunately, some players think they are a lot better than they actually are.
'I have no axe to grind with him but it is a pity he didn't voice his complaints to me personally.
'It is easy to go to the media or on a website and make your views known when you have left.
'At least when players like Jay Conroy and Paul Booth had problems they had the bottle to come and talk to me about them face to face. We won't be losing any sleep over Henry's comments.'
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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