Blair Scoullar believes any criticism of the state of Otago United should be aimed at the team's board, not its former coach.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Scoullar outlined his belief the United board was setting the team up to fail, gave his unqualified backing to the coaching reign of Terry Phelan and revealed players had gone without pay for months.
The experienced midfielder or defender also said he had decided months ago to make himself unavailable for Otago this season.
Otago United revealed - belatedly - its coaching staff on Friday, confirming assistant Malcolm Fleming was replacing Phelan, leaving Fleming with barely a month to assemble a team for the New Zealand Football Championship.
Scoullar (30), a sales representative based in Cromwell, believes the club's tardiness in resolving the coaching situation reflects a lack of direction from the top level.
"I don't really want to be part of a team that is just going to be shambles after shambles," Scoullar said.
"I don't think there's any ambition in the club.
I don't think they're trying to build a team at all.
"Other squads are already settled and playing pre-season games.
"Otago's got no chance. They'll take the wooden spoon.
"I honestly believe the board is happy to just be in the league.
"They want to be seen in the top competition and they don't care whether the team is successful or not."
Otago United, like some other franchises in the eight-team league, has not found it easy to find the funding to stay competitive.
But Scoullar feels a lack of finances should not be used as an excuse by the Otago United board.
"They keep saying they've got no money, but that's a fault of the administration.
"The board's got to take the blame for that.
"They are driving the club and it's their job to put things in place.
"They're probably the biggest wool-over-the-eyes franchise in the league.
"They promise but never deliver, and there's no communication."
Phelan has left the team to work in a junior development role for the club.
Among the players who are unavailable or in doubt are Scoullar, Aaron Burgess, Andy Coburn, Liam Little and Tom Jackson.
Scoullar would like to see the raft of on-field changes matched by a change of direction at board level.
"The first place that needs a shake up is the board.
"Some of them seem to be there for a carnival fun-park ride," he said.
"No-one's actually out there seeking sponsorship, and they've waited until a month before the season starts to get a coach in place.
"You can't expect success when you muck around like that."
Scoullar said payment issues left a sour taste in the mouths of Otago players last season.
Players were told funding was secure at the start of the season but then did not get paid on the dates wages were due.
"We got paid at Christmas time, then nothing happened for ages.
It wasn't until months after the season that players got the money they were owed.
"They're weren't massive figures, I guess.
"But $3000 is a lot for a student or any young player.
"And contracts were really loose, so there was no real protection for the players."
Phelan, the former long-serving Wimbledon, Manchester City, Everton and Ireland defender, has left the top Otago United job after four seasons.
Scoullar, who described Phelan as a friend, said the forthright coach could not be blamed for Otago's struggles.
"I feel sorry for Terry.
"A guy with his background basically got treated like a doormat.
"Terry has his criticism but I can't understand where some of that comes from.
"Maybe some of the players have been a bit sensitive.
"People don't like to get a bollocking these days but it shouldn't scare you.
"I think maybe a couple of young boys kicked up a fuss.
"Then people started talking about Terry and about how angry he was, or whatever.
"At the end of the day, he just wanted to win, and he wanted people to have some passion and some pride in playing for Otago United."
Scoullar said he decided months ago to make himself unavailable this summer.
He needed a break from the demands of travelling from Central Otago every week.
Fleming, the new coach, told the Otago Daily Times on Friday he was not interested in having Scoullar in the team.
"He's got no interest in me and that's fine.
"He's got his reasons for saying that, even though he knew I wasn't going to play," Scoullar said.
"I like Malcolm a lot and I think he's got a great attitude.
"But he won't be able to do anything because the board is heading in the wrong direction."
