GUST apply for first division licence

**Terry** · 13/12/2011, 5:20 AM

The AGM of Galway United Supporters Trust (GUST) held on Mon 12th Dec 2011 unanimously agreed to

(i) End its agreement with the directors of Galway United Football Club in relation to its day-to-day
management of the club.
(ii) Submit an independent licence application for membership of the 2012 Airtricity League in the
name of Galway United Supporters Trust Football Club.

The Supporters Trust chair, David Flaherty, told a well-attended meeting that the challenging experience
of the 2011 season had prepared the Supporters Trust well for the demands of fielding a vibrant,
sustainable club in next season’s First Division.

The Trust’s objective is to return Galway senior soccer back to its roots as a community club run and
directed by its members.

Secretary Mike Daly told the meeting about the significant backing afforded by the UEFA-funded
organisation “Supporters Direct”. The mission statement of Supporters Direct is to promote sustainable
spectator sports clubs, based on supporters' involvement and community ownership. A representative
from this organisation recently travelled to Galway and has thrown their considerable weight and
expertise behind the efforts of GUST in preparing the licence application.

www.galwayunitedfc.net

**gordongekko** · 13/12/2011, 6:50 AM

http://www.galwaynews.ie/23196-galwa...ns-go-it-alone

**El-Pietro** · 13/12/2011, 8:14 AM

What is it that I'm missing here? Why are GUST choosing to take this path, when we did it it was only because it was the very last resort and the only way to keep football going in Cork

**gael353** · 13/12/2011, 8:18 AM

So by ending the relationship between the directors of galway united who just happen to be your main financial constrains your applying to have a new licence under a new name? What does Nick have to say about this

**Patrick Dunne** · 13/12/2011, 8:28 AM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

What is it that I'm missing here? Why are GUST choosing to take this path, when we did it it was only because it was the very last resort and the only way to keep football going in Cork

GUST are taking this option because it is the very last resort, and the only way to keep what we will always regard as our club - belonging to the people of the city, county, and West of Ireland - alive.

**WoodquayBoy** · 13/12/2011, 8:51 AM

Not too pushed about what Nick Leeson thinks. This was the only option to ensure the survival of the club. No guarantee a licence will be awarded to either application, but this allows us, the fans, to start afresh, put proper structures in place and build the club into a sustainable one, rather than continue with the financial basket case it was.
'By the fans for the fans'

**Pablo Escobar** · 13/12/2011, 9:02 AM

Originally Posted by WoodquayBoy

Not too pushed about what Nick Leeson thinks. This was the only option to ensure the survival of the club. No guarantee a licence will be awarded to either application, but this allows us, the fans, to start afresh, put proper structures in place and build the club into a sustainable one, rather than continue with the financial basket case it was.
'By the fans for the fans'

If it does go to that, I wish the fans the best of luck. A city like Galway should naturally rise up under a supporter-run club.

**passerrby** · 13/12/2011, 9:05 AM

Is the closing date for licence applications passed?

**Macy** · 13/12/2011, 9:14 AM

Several years too late imo (how much money and effort gone down the drain so far?), but good luck to GUST.

**Patrick Dunne** · 13/12/2011, 9:17 AM

Yes, the date set by the FAI for receipt of licence applications has passed. Galway United Supporters Trust FC have submitted our application already, last nights meeting was called to get approval from our supporters for the completion of that application.

**geezer** · 13/12/2011, 9:26 AM

Will also be putting out the hand of friendship to the other two senior clubs in the city to represent the region as 1

**Mr A** · 13/12/2011, 9:27 AM

It was always inevitable that something like this would have to be done I think. Best of luck with it.

**culloty82** · 13/12/2011, 10:50 AM

I suspect that as with FORAS in '09-'10, this just proves that the situation at Terryland Park is beyond salvaging - best of luck to the supporters' trust, the priority must be to ensure that the club remains in senior football, regardless of ownership.

**Jofspring** · 13/12/2011, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by geezer

Will also be putting out the hand of friendship to the other two senior clubs in the city to represent the region as 1

Would Mervue or Salthill have any interest though? They are doing pretty well by themselves (Mervue more than Salthill) so it doesn't seem like they would need any help. The only thing ye could probably offer them is a better fan base.

**El-Pietro** · 13/12/2011, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

I suspect that as with FORAS in '09-'10, this just proves that the situation at Terryland Park is beyond salvaging - best of luck to the supporters' trust, the priority must be to ensure that the club remains in senior football, regardless of ownership.

i really dont understand. we did everything we could to avoid going down this route - we didnt do it because of debt, we did it because Tom Coughlan wouldn't sell the club to us in time for license to be obtained

it sounds like GUST are doing this to avoid the debt

**Dodge** · 13/12/2011, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

we did it because Tom Coughlan wouldn't sell the club to us in time for license to be obtained

In fairness, the Galway situation seems the exact same

And its not like Cork didn't avoid some of their debts either...

**Mr A** · 13/12/2011, 11:36 AM

If they can't get a license under the current entity (because of debt or whatever), what choice do they have beyond starting afresh? Seems pretty similar to the Cork situation to me. GUST have made massive efforts to save the old version, haven't been able to and are now looking to start again.

**passerrby** · 13/12/2011, 12:23 PM

But the elephant in the room is 3 clubs in Galway is not sustainable so something has to give . Best of luck gust

**Sean South** · 13/12/2011, 12:52 PM

So GUST members are going to stop supporting the club they have done all their lifes and let Galway United Football Club die. Setting up a new club with no identity or history and hope it works. I understand the Corkies doing it as they have a history of letting football clubs die but I would have thought that Galway had more backbone.