Raftopoulous “had no idea” of Surrey sacking

The shock news that respected coach, Creon Raftopoulos, was being released from the Surrey Heat due to a change in ownership, was announced late Monday night, only a few weeks from him coaching the Heat’s opening game of the 2013/14 season, and beginning his fourth year in the BBL.

Raftopoulos revealed to UKAmericanSportsFans.com he was first informed by owner Alison Reeve that he would no longer be a part of the Surrey Heat set-up, in front of the new owners.

Last season, he led a difficult-to-beat Heat team to a fourth place league finish while picking up the personal honour of finishing third in the Coach of the Year voting, was shocked at the result of his meeting and had no indication during the off-season that he would redundant less than a month after completing the Florida phase of his recruitment for players for the new season.

“I can honestly say I had no idea that I would be without a job. I just moved my family across from London to Guildford [and] found a three year lease on a house. The crazy part of it is, I so want the game to go forward.” – ex-Surrey Heat head coach, Creon Raftopoulos

“I got told that she was selling the club and that my services would no longer be needed because the new owners would be appointing their own coaches,” said Coach Raftopoulos of the reason given to him for his departure. “The least the owner could have done was to do it in private with me, and not with the new owners in the room. It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”

“I started off at under-14 level, got up to coaching EBL Division 1 and worked my way up to where I am now. There’s not many places you can finish in the top four and then not have a job the next season and also find out about it just before the next season is about to begin.”

Coach Raftopoulos’ commitment to the Heat was highlighted at the start of the off-season by him honouring his contract, which was due to run until June 2014, even though he received attention from other countries following his team’s strong 2012/13 showings.

But that loyalty seems not to have been rewarded by the Heat.

“You try and be respectful, you protect the owner as much as possible. The owner has got to do what the owner’s got to do. What’s best for them. Sometimes they do put a lot of money in and sometimes there’s not a lot back.

“I knew that we were trying to get investors in and I was going about my business – building a low budget team – as per normal. I had a couple of guys lined up and just trying to get the owner to finalise something but after everything I’ve done, the owner obviously didn’t feel it was important to discuss it with me.

“I wish the club all the best in what happens. I think I have a good standing with the fans. It’s been a good three years.”