THE DONEGAL footballers added to the controversy surrounding the new managerial appointment last night by calling on club delegates to reappraise the position of a number of senior executives in the county board.

The players' statement heaps the pressure on the board in the wake of the crisis they are facing to replace Brian McIver. All the main candidates for the post have been critical of the board in recent days, with John Joe Doherty, Jim McGuinness and the Declan Bonner-Charlie Mulgrew partnership all dissatisfied with the way the matter is being handled.

"We would like to express our serious disappointment with the manner in which the Donegal county selection committee has handled the appointment of a new manager," read the players' statement.

"Although a commitment was given by the board executive that the squad would indeed be contacted, no communication was received by the players during the process. . . The players wish to make it clear that we have no issue with any of the candidates for the job, and we believe all hold valid credentials. However, in light of the breakdown of the appointment process, we would call on club delegates now to reappraise the position of a number of senior executives on the county board."