A Couple of Questions Re Dundalk

[Nesta99]

The trust and GM have put the club in a mess of their own desire.

What role does the Trust have in the club's predicament? Considering that the trust don't have any say on how the club is run currently.
You really have no notion of what is going on in the background!

[Spudulika]

What role does the Trust have in the club's predicament? Considering that the trust don't have any say on how the club is run currently.
You really have no notion of what is going on in the background!

Nesta, again I'll go back to what I said in another thread on the same subject on this one too. The club, with the motivation of keeping the club going, went along with the 3 card trick being played by GM and prolonged the misery. It was obvious that the club would never leave his hands last October, or earlier, and that the longer the Trust kept giving a hand out the worse it became.

And I do know what's going on in the background - do you?

[Dillonman]

Spud and Dillonman,it would be great if someone came in right now to help the club out but i dont think those Fastfix guys are as clean as they appear.Be careful what you wish for :-/

I never said they where clean. There's a reason why Matthews didn't take the money and run apart from keeping the YDC. He said it himself a while back. They are currently sponsoring the refs and have continued ads at all matches at the Aviva Stadium. Do they now have the funds to go for a club? Surely business isn't that great that would allow them to take over a debt ridden club and whipe it clean. Its obvious something isnt right with that bid. The only way to be completely sure about any of these bids is for the bidders to relase an agenda and to release their due diligence tests on the club itself. But that will never happen.

[bullit]

Dundalk getting close to the edge

This is an update from the board of Dundalk FC in regards to the severity of the financial position we currently find ourselves in.
As the public are aware 5 weeks have now passed since we announced that we were unable to pay the players for one week of their wages at Dundalk FC. We did stress back at this time that Dundalk FC was in severe financial difficulties.
It was also made clear at this time that anybody expressing an interest in regards to taking over Dundalk FC or who could be in a position to make a substantial contribution to help the club should contact the board directly. Today the club will meet with representatives of the DFC Trust for an exploratory discussion on a potential takeover. Apart from the Trust, we are very disappointed that no one, either directly or indirectly, has contacted us in this regard particularly when we are in a position when we need them most.
People must be made aware that should the club not be in a position to pay another week’s wages to the players, resulting in a total of two weeks wages in arrears, that these players have the right to seek employment with other clubs. This undoubtedly may trigger our top players to leave voluntarily or other clubs knowing this situation will contact our top players with a view to taking them on with immediate effect. We have clear indications the latter will happen. If any group or individual wants to sponsor any particular player’s salary to the end of the season, this option is available and we can sit down and agree with the group/individual how this can be done.
Since these financial situations have arisen we have initiated a number of fundraising programmes to generate money. Our Honorary Vice President and Supporter Donations programmes and letters have been sent out to over 700 people. To date 19 Supporters have donated €3,450 and the Honorary Vice President have taken in €2,500. The Board wish to acknowledge these receipts and are very appreciative to these people and other people who continue to contribute to the running of the club. However the reality is that if more people do not contribute we will be undoubtedly be fighting a relegation battle, or worse case, go out of existence.
To give an example of how the financial difficulties have arisen we have outlined the following example;
2011 – Season Tickets & Net Gate Receipts after 11 League games = €157K
2012 – Season Tickets & Net Gate Receipts after 11 League games = €87K
This is a difference of €70K year on year and does not include lost Merchandising Sales, Bar Income, Lotto Sales, Match Programmes Sales, and other match night revenue sales which are affected by reduced attendances and people coming to games. It also does not include any Setanta Cup gate receipt money and only compares league games.
This example is only one of a number we could pick from where actual revenues are significantly below budget figures…..match sponsorship, pitch signs, lotto sales, pitch rental, to name a few are amongst others.
In all of these matters we are continuing to work with the FAI in regards to the financial troubles and status of Dundalk FC and we will continue to keep them informed of any and all matters arising.
Again we would appeal to the supporters and people of Dundalk that this is a very serious situation and to contact the board directly if you feel you or a group are in a position to take over the club or make a substantial financial contribution.

[Spudulika]

Dundalk getting close to the edge

Is there no end of the lies being thrown out of the club? They are an absolute disgrace. They are in a mess of their own desire (this I will stick to). They had a number of bids on the table last year, including one where the potential buyers told, the day before they arrived, that it wasn't the right time to buy the club. This after weeks of back and forth where the "debts" tripled and the price of the fun factory was way, way above anything that could be expected in the current property market. And any simple questions asked were ignored or previous answers contradicted. Disgraceful behaviour after doing a really decent job at the start.

[bullit]

Is there no end of the lies being thrown out of the club? They are an absolute disgrace. They are in a mess of their own desire (this I will stick to). They had a number of bids on the table last year, including one where the potential buyers told, the day before they arrived, that it wasn't the right time to buy the club. This after weeks of back and forth where the "debts" tripled and the price of the fun factory was way, way above anything that could be expected in the current property market. And any simple questions asked were ignored or previous answers contradicted. Disgraceful behaviour after doing a really decent job at the start.

People wanted numbers spud,the numbers are there.
If you can help,that would be good,if not,save the rhetoric,the tune is old.

[Spudulika]

bullitt, the numbers there were changing with each mail and call, and then when it was pee or get off the pot time for the club they spun and yarn then backed off - the day before the people were to arrive. Brinksmanship is not a game to play. I've tried to believe that those in charge had honourable intentions but was totally wrong. Sorry, when you put your money and effort where your mouth is and have it thrown back you just don't waste more time. It's not rhetoric when you've made the effort over and over. They're in the mess they want to be in, now just see what happens with the GM fun factory.

[thomas72]

This would be a complete disaster if dundalk went bust league of Ireland football right now is in ruins a eight team first division its a farce. THere are prob 4 teams in the whole country that are financialy sound shamrock rovers, sligo, st pats, LimeRick WTF are the FAI doing about it they must be the most inept organization on the planet JD looks like a guy who is constantly stoned off his head.
THere actually stopping teams from making money to survive E.G not allowing Limerick fc to play the greatest footballing team of all time at a 26,000 sell out thomond park would of made the club 250,000k and again this summer stopped a top tournament going ahead at thomond park with Celtic, man city etc etc because it could interfere with the AivA tournament which were a month apart. THings like that these cowboys are doing preventing teams making money and they wonder then why are clubs folding idiots. RAnt over.

[Longfordian]

Depends what you mean by financially sound. For example, we're not flush with cash but most of our long term debt has been cleared and we're breaking even or making a small profit the last few years. I'm sure there's more clubs in similar situations, Waterford, Shels perhaps (though they've the issue of their ground), Athlone even?

[thomas72]

Depends what you mean by financially sound. For example, we're not flush with cash but most of our long term debt has been cleared and we're breaking even or making a small profit the last few years. I'm sure there's more clubs in similar situations, Waterford, Shels perhaps (though they've the issue of their ground), Athlone even?

FAir enough the way things are in league of Ireland football breaking even is good going my real point is the fai denying clubs to make a very healthy profit that could tie them over for a season or two I suppose if you live outside Dublin you don't matter. Could you imagine the faI denying longford town a friendly in a huge stadium against man utd its laughable why would you deny these clubs to play over here.

[osarusan]

T
THere actually stopping teams from making money to survive E.G not allowing Limerick fc to play the greatest footballing team of all time at a 26,000 sell out thomond park would of made the club 250,000k and again this summer stopped a top tournament going ahead at thomond park with Celtic, man city etc etc because it could interfere with the AivA tournament which were a month apart. THings like that these cowboys are doing preventing teams making money and they wonder then why are clubs folding idiots. RAnt over.

As far as I know, this year's Thomond tournament wouldn't have made a penny for Limerick or any LOI club.

[Dodge]

THere are prob 4 teams in the whole country that are financialy sound shamrock rovers, sligo, st pats, LimeRick

Pats are living month to month. So are Sligo. Rovers would've lost a decent chunk last year if it wasn't for European money. Every club is 1 or 2 decisions from being in really big trouble.

again this summer stopped a top tournament going ahead at thomond park with Celtic, man city etc etc because it could interfere with the AivA tournament which were a month apart. THings like that these cowboys are doing preventing teams making money and they wonder then why are clubs folding idiots. RAnt over.

Nobody in irish football would've profitted from that tournament. played on a rugby ground by 4 foreign teams with all money to a private company. No way should that be allowed

[bluewhitearmy]

I wouldn't be touting us either in the financially sound thing as its not like that is a route that clubs can take but are choosing not to we are in a very very lucky position right now.

[outspoken]

hate to say it but I can't see Dundalk turning this one around, it's been a well known fact for months now that they are sinking. Perhaps they should just let all the players go and play with the youngsters, their u-19 team ain'tbad, I know it wouldn't be good enough to keep them up but i'd much rather my team play in the first division next year than not play at all, what do ye think?

[marinobohs]

hate to say it but I can't see Dundalk turning this one around, it's been a well known fact for months now that they are sinking. Perhaps they should just let all the players go and play with the youngsters, their u-19 team ain'tbad, I know it wouldn't be good enough to keep them up but i'd much rather my team play in the first division next year than not play at all, what do ye think?

Would releasing all their players solve the problem ? likely to decimate home gates and scare away any potential investors (however unlikely).

Paying players wages are no longer the source of all the financial problems at LOI clubs.

PS best of luck to those involved with Dundalk, hope they can find a solution and keep the club afloat.

[Dodge]

Would releasing all their players solve the problem ? likely to decimate home gates and scare away any potential investors (however unlikely).

Judging by thefigures in the statement they're down to the hardest of hardcores now anyway. Can't see those leaving because the club has to release Chris Shields or someone similar

Paying players wages are no longer the source of all the financial problems at LOI clubs.

if Dundalk are paying the reported 7k on salaries, then thats a huge issue

PS best of luck to those involved with Dundalk, hope they can find a solution and keep the club afloat.

Agree 100%

[Dunny]

Budget will be cut to 4k

[Trainee]

Budget will be cut to 4k

Is that to run the club for a week or is it playing budget of 4k a week?

[Dodge]

Budget will be cut to 4k

Stll more than Bohs...

[Morginho]

Monaghan were on less than that i think