Omer Riza (Pic: Mark Hopkins)

Manager pays tribute to departing skipper

DAVID Livermore insists he will fight on as Histon boss despite the club releasing captain Omer Riza.

Riza’s Stutes contract was terminated by mutual consent last night, and Livermore told Cambridge First that he knew nothing of the move until he was called to a meeting at the Glassworld Stadium.

He said: “I hadn’t heard anything, the news was thrown at me late last night when Omer and myself were asked to attend a meeting at the club. We thought it would be about the wages of the whole squad, but it turns out it was just Omer.

“The club don’t have the money to pay him, and you have to respect that decision. We discussed a budget at the start of the season and I’m slightly under that, so it’s disappointing that it’s just been cut without any discussion.

Histon manager David Livermore

“We’ve got a lot of good lads here who need guidance and if we didn’t have such a good group of players then possibly I would be considering my future.

“But this is another test for myself and the squad and it’s up to us to come out fighting.”

Riza was Livermore’s first signing when he came to the Glassworld Stadium last season, and the manager has backed his former Arsenal team-mate to make a return to the Football League.

“Omer’s been fantastic and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for the club,” said Livermore. “He’s an ideal employee because he doesn’t just want to pick up his money and go home. He wants to make a difference and has gone above and beyond what I’ve asked of him.

“He’s a fantastic example to others of how to conduct and look after youself, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already had managers on the phone to him this morning.

“He had other offers in the summer but he wanted to stay here because he could see what we were trying to do and wanted to help bring the lads on.

“I believe he can still play in the league, and I think he’ll be an absolute bargain for someone because he has the quality to make the difference between now and the end of the season.”

Histon host Guisley AFC in the Blue Square Bet North on Saturday.