Im just floating this, but if Gannon was actively seeking a way out then they couldn't let it go on. Gannon would have had the senior players out the door in the January transfer windon, he would then have walked himself first chance he got, leaving us with a proper under 19 team.
I wouldnt have minded craigan, lasley and co getting punted as long as JG was here long term to implement his plan, but there would be no sense in letting him decimate the club if he was going to leave in a couple of months.