Coventry Godiva manager David Dix has hit out at Stephen Emery after he decided to go on holiday rather than compete for his club at the Midland 6 Stage Relays. The 3:48 1500m man is only contracted to run 8 races a year for Coventry and opted for the excitement of a German weekend break over helping his team win a medal. Calling Emery's decision "very disappointing", Dix said that his lack of team spirit was becoming "increasingly worrying". Dix was speaking after watching his team miss out on a medal by just 30 seconds in a race won by Notts AC. "Obviously it's gutting to lose like that," sighed the head coach "but it is always going to be tough when your big names become selfish".
In 2009, Coventry broke their transfer record in order to pay Rugby & Northampton nearly £6m to bring Emery to the club. Despite promising showings in the Birmingham League, Godiva have struggled to net a major regional or national title and - according to club insiders - Emery should take some responsibility for this. "He still hasn't run a Midland Championships," said a source, "he underperformed at the National Cross and probably cost us a medal."
Radio phone-ins were inundated with Coventry fans voicing their disapproval of Emery's convictions yesterday evening. "All this rubbish about him being sensible" said Peter, a 48 year-old season ticket holder, "the truth is that we have given him the platform to get to where he is and he hasn't repaid us with anything. Is he really worth the money?" Another disillusioned fan pondered whether the club would ever be able to challenge at a national level: "the fact is that we have spent a lot since the new owners have come in, but what we've got is a bunch of individuals. I think we need a clear out."
A spokesman for Emery said that his charge was "greatly upset" at the lack of support from the club and pointed out that he had "no obligation" to compete. Emery is due to run the National 6 Stage but with Dix talking about blooding some youngsters, the BUCS bronze medallist may face a fight to win his first team place back.