Former coach's book upsets Force
Here we go. I reckon we'll be hearing more about this
Nick Taylor The West Australian
October 11, 2014, 10:17 am
Former Western Force coach John Mitchell has been accused of rewriting history following his controversial claims he was the victim of a conspiracy to oust him from the Super Rugby club.
In his just-released autobiography "Mitch - The Real Story", Mitchell alleges former assistant John Mulvihill plotted his downfall and that then chief executive Greg Harris had an agenda against him. He said the Force had issues and was sorry he "chose to get into bed with them".
He claims former Force chairman Geoff Stooke "went missing" when he was stood down in 2008 during the inquiry into his coaching methods, but admits for the first time that his manager John Fordham told Stooke "he would go to the media" with allegations about problems at the club if he did not reinstate him.
Stooke dismissed claims he did not answer Mitchell's calls and said he organised a meeting between the pair.
Stooke claimed it was Mitchell who refused to answer calls.
"It is unfortunate that Mitch has chosen to rewrite some history in relation to his time here," Stooke said.
"I regularly tried to contact him, but he believed that in season he would virtually make himself uncontactable, too busy.
"This was very frustrating, but one of the many quirks we came to expect from Mitch.
"The decision to have Mitch resume full duties was taken by me with the full support of our board. The decision was not taken because of any threats or pressure from John Fordham."
Harris was equally bemused.
"At the end of the day, John's employment record speaks for itself," he said.
"I don't have to say any more. However, it appears he has a very inventive, selective memory."
Mulvihill said Mitchell had made many factual and chronological errors in the book.
"Complaints by players have been well documented," Mulvihill said.
"I have no regrets as it was clear the head coach was unable at the time to address these issues."
Mitchell claims Harris said in a speech: "This club is not all about John Mitchell."
"He made it pretty clear that he wanted me to walk. There was no way I was going to do that," Mitchell said in the book.
"Instead, I busied myself with some of my own investigations. Everything pointed to Mulvihill working against me; it seemed he wanted me out.
"I got the impression that there was a conspiracy to create the desired outcome."
"It is unfortunate that Mitch has chosen to rewrite some history in relation to his time here.""Former Force chairman *Geoff Stooke *on John Mitchell's autobiography
