Following the appointment of Wayne Brown in the role of Interim Head Coach here at Colchester United, speculation about his departure from Leicester City ten and a half years ago has resurfaced.
Owner and Chairman Robbie Cowling has told the official website: “I was aware of the Leicester issue before I agreed to bring Wayne back to the club for the first time just under nine years ago, but I discussed the issue with him in depth and I accepted his explanations at that time before I allowed the club to appoint him."
"I have had absolutely no problems with Wayne of any nature since then. In fact, his behaviour has been impeccable in every aspect.”
“I’ve got to know Wayne really well and he hasn’t shown any signs of having racist or offensive views. If he did, I wouldn’t want him paying to watch the team let alone managing them.”
Wayne himself said on the matter:
“Football has done a lot of great work around anti-racism and diversity which I fully support."
I am very sorry, and I also apologised at the time, if anything I have said or done in my past has offended anyone because as I have grown as a coach and matured as a person, I have learned from organisations such as ‘Kick it Out’ that words and actions, even if they are not intended to be offensive to anyone, can offend.
“I also support the strong messages that the club have expressed just recently concerning racism and diversity.
“I can confirm with 100% certainty that I have never voted for the political party in question and in no way, shape or form do I hold racist views.
“Players that I have played with, players that I have coached, managers that I have played under and the staff that I have worked with in my career, along with my family, all know me and know that equality is a massive part of my beliefs and values.”