UK consortium to takeover Galway Utd?

[Schumi]

Does this sound like Arkaga to anyone else?

[Hairy Bowsie]

Does this sound like Arkaga to anyone else?

Well this is essentially what i'm getting at. It does sound like it could happen again.

[dcfcsteve]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who feels uneasy at this idea.

For this to work for the 'investors' involved, I suspect that Galway will turn into an international halting site for starry-eyed footballers picked-up from all over Europe, played in a game or two, and invariably spat-out when they don't offer sufficient potential to be sold on to England. As that's where the real money is, they will have little interest in players who can do a job for Galway - only those they can sell on.

If their interest is in making money by acting as a wholesaler of footballng talent, then they will have little interest in how Galway performs. I predict a revolving door would need to be added to Terryland's changing room to accomodate the turbulence of endless players coming and going as the new investors pan for gold in the cheaper spots of European football.

For as long as such ifeas are viewed as the only way to save Irish football clubs, then our league is on a hide into nothing. Here's an alternative idea for Galway - stop spending more money than you bring in. If that means off-loading players when the widnow re-opens and/or gettign relegated, then so be it. That's better than being a whorr for bsuiness men who appear to want merely as a visa-granting machine, or alternativelt becoming a foot-note in footballing history.

[brianw82]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who feels uneasy at this idea.

For this to work for the 'investors' involved, I suspect that Galway will turn into an international halting site for starry-eyed footballers picked-up from all over Europe, played in a game or two, and invariably spat-out when they don't offer sufficient potential to be sold on to England. As that's where the real money is, they will have little interest in players who can do a job for Galway - only those they can sell on.

If their interest is in making money by acting as a wholesaler of footballng talent, then they will have little interest in how Galway performs. I predict a revolving door would need to be added to Terryland's changing room to accomodate the turbulence of endless players coming and going as the new investors pan for gold in the cheaper spots of European football.

Agreed. There should be no need for something like this anyway, given the scouting networks the big clubs have these days.

For as long as such ifeas are viewed as the only way to save Irish football clubs, then our league is on a hide into nothing. Here's an alternative idea for Galway - stop spending more money than you bring in. If that means off-loading players when the widnow re-opens and/or gettign relegated, then so be it. That's better than being a whorr for bsuiness men who appear to want merely as a visa-granting machine, or alternativelt becoming a foot-note in footballing history.

To be honest, Galway did drastically reduce their budget this season, on top of the wage reductions they made in the middle of last season. Their expected revenue, as cautious as that was, has just collapsed. I really don't think Galway are guilty of any financial mismanagement here.

[Dodge]

Agreed. There should be no need for something like this anyway, given the scouting networks the big clubs have these days.

I'd assume it was more to do with work permits, given the stricter codes of practice in the Uk (relting to international apparances etc). Once somebody is the EU, its far easier for them to move around the EU

[endabob1]

I'd assume it was more to do with work permits, given the stricter codes of practice in the Uk (relting to international apparances etc). Once somebody is the EU, its far easier for them to move around the EU

Indeed, Arsenal park their ill gotten Africans in Belguim until they are EU affiliated and then work from there.

[JC_GUFC]

For as long as such ifeas are viewed as the only way to save Irish football clubs, then our league is on a hide into nothing. Here's an alternative idea for Galway - stop spending more money than you bring in. If that means off-loading players when the widnow re-opens and/or gettign relegated, then so be it. That's better than being a whorr for bsuiness men who appear to want merely as a visa-granting machine, or alternativelt becoming a foot-note in footballing history.

That's a bit harsh - I think you'll find we have done that over the last couple of seasons and you will see Jay O'Shea leaving during the transfer window and possibly a few others.
We've reduced our wage bill from last season but I don't think anyone budgeted for the fact that our attendances would dramatically decline.

[eamo1]

Galway Utd didnt do much wrong.As has been said last year they off loaded 6 players last July when they were about to go over the wage cap.DID BOHS OR CORK DO THAT??.They also have an even smaller budget this year with players on performance related contracts,eg;a third of a players weekly wage is a win bonus,if they dont win they dont get full pay.Support for them just collapsed this season.Hard to see why.When we were in the 1st division playing brutal football under Tony Cousins we were getting 1500-2000 at games.Now we are in the Premier League and playing better football(not hoof ball) and not averaging much above 1000,work that out

[Mr A]

It shows how difficult it can be to recover from one season of madness. When Galway got up they spent big but (almost) pulled it off.. then the budget was increased hugely again with no credible plan to bring in the money. That was the decision that still has the club on its knees. Their actions in trying to recover have been commendable but the timing of the economic maelstrom for them could scarcely have been worse.

[stann]

The club hoped for an uptake of around 3,000 tickets. Only seven tickets were sold.

That is ridiculous. Whatever about the 3000 which no sane person could really have been hoping for, 7??? Surely there's more than that on the board?!

(and sorry Steve, it's hiding to nothing. )

[sheao]

Does this sound like Arkaga to anyone else?

Hopefully not for Galways sake. Just look at the financial mess they left us in.

[Terry]

From what is going around town, its nicks mates, apparently more man city fans (big football supporters, but well off ones) looking to get involved in the tranfer market profits. It will be all about the revolving door scheme, but in reality, that has always been the way anyway in Galway. We have no other option, we have tried every other way imaginable but the Galway public just arent interested in GUFC . The gates are down by at least 40% from last season even though we had the best start to any season since 1986 when we finished second behind shamrock rovers. Even poor mervue apparently only had 67 at terryland last night ???

[micls]

Yes, but Galway have no real assets.. so what could be in it for them?

That's what we said about Arkaga.
Hope for Galways sake it's not similar

[pineapple stu]

From what I gather, they will brig over x amount of young players from all over europe each season. After they shine here, a few can be sold on at a profit & thus the club will become self financing.

Scene missing scene missing...?

That is ridiculous. Whatever about the 3000 which no sane person could really have been hoping for, 7??? Surely there's more than that on the board?!

In fairness, by adding in the other two league games, you're ruling out all season ticket holders straight away. If UCD did such a scheme (and if I weren't a season ticket holder, and if I didn't get free into the ground anyways), I'd probably pay for all three games to give the club the extra E15. So you're ruling out a lot of people straight off. Although if the game was in Millwall, you probably wouldn't get 3000 at it.

[Terry]

That is ridiculous. Whatever about the 3000 which no sane person could really have been hoping for, 7??? Surely there's more than that on the board?!

(and sorry Steve, it's hiding to nothing. )

Nick and Michael D. were on the radio yesterday and said they were hoping to sell 300 tickets? the 3000 was a misprint from the paper.

[Ezeikial]

Nick and Michael D. were on the radio yesterday and said they were hoping to sell 300 tickets? the 3000 was a misprint from the paper.

Jeez, thank Gawd for that......sell another 2 tickets and thats the 3% mark hit.

Maybe call in the FAI Vantage sales team!

[Terry]

UPDATE: Was told last night that talks are at a very early stage yet and not at all certain, BUT, the worst news is that we are now at the stage that if it doesnt go through Nick is considering winding up the club before the end of the season !!!!! and still the galway public dont give a damn .

[Mr A]

Unfortunately most of the Irish public do not give a damn about their local clubs.

But ultimately what has so many clubs in serious trouble (including Harps of course) is insane overspending either past or present. Leeson can complain about public backing if he wants but the decisions made on his watch have crippled the club. In the LOI it seems you suffer far more for mistakes than you are ever rewarded for success.

[Poor Student]

UPDATE: Was told last night that talks are at a very early stage yet and not at all certain, BUT, the worst news is that we are now at the stage that if it doesnt go through Nick is considering winding up the club before the end of the season !!!!! and still the galway public dont give a damn .

Is that a scare story to push the deal through?

[Terry]

Is that a scare story to push the deal through?

theres no pushing of a scare story, just the truth of the situation and a plea of the desperate !