PFAI Believes Drogheda Can Remain in Premier

[Mr A]

See here:

http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/sport/soccer/drogs-squad-can-settle-pay-claim-1577840.html

PFAI: 'believe agreement can be reached to have the club in the Premier Division next year.'

[Rovers Maniac]

See here:

http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/sport/soccer/drogs-squad-can-settle-pay-claim-1577840.html

PFAI: 'believe agreement can be reached to have the club in the Premier Division next year.'

Good news for Drogs ! I think the FAI would be happy to see them remain in the premier as well. Good luck with the fund raising Drogs.

[tiktok]

While that's a very positive outcome to the offer made to the players surely the biggest factor affecting DUFC's ability to play premier football next season [assuming they emerge successfully from examinership] is United Park not fulfilling the requirements of licensing, can they really afford to go renting an alternative ground or redeveloping UP?

By the way, the relationship between DUFC and the PFAI versus the one CCFC have is interesting.

[Mr A]

I don't see the ground being a big problem in the short term. After all, they let us play in it in Finn Park (albeit with a new ground on the way).

[tiktok]

I don't see the ground being a big problem in the short term. After all, they let us play in it in Finn Park (albeit with a new ground on the way).

But wasn't United Park given a derogation for the same reason, that a new stadium was planned. Those plans are no longer realisitic. Oriel maybe?

[Dodge]

But a new ground is still planned...

[A face]

But a new ground is still planned...

But where for though?

[Dodge]

Same place. its in one of the appeal stages isn't it (I'm not talking about it being viable either)

[SMorgan]

How in the name of God above could Drogheda United possibly get a Licence??

Forget about them being in Examinership, forget about the unpaid players and the debts. United Park does not qualify for a licence and its not just a matter of sticking in a few more seats. There are fundamental problems with the ground which can't be addressed.

United got a dispensation last season because there were plans to move to a new ground. Those plans are now dead and buried and with them should be the possibility of the club getting a Premier Licence.

Now, if the club get out of examinership, I am fairly sure we'll hear the same old, same old!!

"The diggers and bulldozers are ready, the finance has been sourced, the plans are there, all we need is planning permission"

The thing is will the FAI fall for it again or do the right thing by Shelbourne FC. I feel another large helping of fudge coming up.

[ndrog]

How in the name of God above could Drogheda United possibly get a Licence??

Forget about them being in Examinership, forget about the unpaid players and the debts. United Park does not qualify for a licence and its not just a matter of sticking in a few more seats. There are fundamental problems with the ground which can't be addressed.

United got a dispensation last season because there were plans to move to a new ground. Those plans are now dead and buried and with them should be the possibility of the club getting a Premier Licence.

Now, if the club get out of examinership, I am fairly sure we hear the same old, same old!!

"The diggers and bulldozers are ready, the finance has been sourced, the plans are there, all we need is planning permission"

The thing is will the FAI fall for it again or do the right thing by Shelbourne FC. I feel another large dose of fudge coming up.

Jesus boo hoo ya moany git .youd swear you didnt wanna see us in the premier next season :D

[SMorgan]

You will notice I suggest that Shels should replace you lot. Why, exactly would I fear Drogheda more than Shels?:confused:

[Dodge]

The thing is will the FAI fall for it again or do the right thing by Shelbourne FC. I feel another large helping of fudge coming up.

Whats it got to do with Shels? If Drigheda don't get a license, the place will go to harps, Cobh and UCD before then

[SMorgan]

Okay, fair point.

Just get Drogheda United out the hell:cool:

[McShels]

I feel another large helping of fudge coming up.

I couldnt agree more.

How the hell can the PFAI back Drogheda? How are Cork allowed sign players? Why is there no clear ruling on the deadling for payment of wages?

Shels were relegated and rightly so but it is obvious that the rela reason behind our relegation was the total hatred and contempt people held for Ollie Byrne.

And for the record I do not agree that Shels should take the place of Drogheda/Cork IF they are relegated. If such a situtation arises then it has to go to Harps, Cobh or UCD

[Dodge]

I couldnt agree more.

How the hell can the PFAI back Drogheda? How are Cork allowed sign players? Why is there no clear ruling on the deadling for payment of wages?
31st of January. Why the confusion?



Shels were relegated and rightly so but it is obvious that the rela reason behind our relegation was the total hatred and contempt people held for Ollie Byrne.
GTF!!! Seriously, you're talking absolute ****e if you think Shels had any case. IN reality the FAI treated shels very lightly (as witnessed by the resignation of the licensing chairman)

[Jersey Cow]

Fair play to Drogheda and all their people who have dug in.When the chips were down, the natives were not found wanting---to date... A big push is required to get them safely over the finishing line and secure their future.
Hopefully the players will accept a fair offer and move on with their lives and that every other club within the League can learn from this whole sorry episode for the good of football in Ireland.....:ball:

[LeixlipRed]

GTF!!! Seriously, you're talking absolute ****e if you think Shels had any case. IN reality the FAI treated shels very lightly (as witnessed by the resignation of the licensing chairman)

And exactly what, if anything, have Cork and Drogs done different to us? We reneged on wages. So did they. One rule for us and another for them. The FAI is particpating in a massive fudge along with their crony McGuinness. Drogs and Cork should be relegated. Just like we rightly were.

[CSFShels]

There is absolutely no way that Drogheda United should be allowed continue in the Premier next season.

[Dodge]

And exactly what, if anything, have Cork and Drogs done different to us? We reneged on wages. So did they. One rule for us and another for them. The FAI is particpating in a massive fudge along with their crony McGuinness. Drogs and Cork should be relegated. Just like we rightly were.

If they haven't paid the money back, they absolutely should be, at least, relegated.

Media speculation aside, there's no suggestion that anythign different will happen. Remember all the furore here when Drogs hadn't been given their 10 point deduction straight away. loads of talk about bias there. Then they got the 10 points deducted

Absolutely no point in people being furious before anything happens

[CSFShels]

You're probably right, but I fail to see how the PFAI are representing those players that have been left unpaid, by coming out and defending the club like that.

[Dodge]

You're probably right, but I fail to see how the PFAI are representing those players that have been left unpaid, by coming out and defending the club like that.

In fairness he didn't defend the club. He said he hoped that there were 22 jobs available to pro footballers next year.

[CSFShels]

Which should be in the First Division.

[tiktok]

How the hell can the PFAI back Drogheda?
Who knows, they're certainly going head to head with CCFC. I'd imagine the reason is that as a union, they've canvassed the affected members (DUFC players) and those members have directed them to respond positively.


How are Cork allowed sign players?
There's no rule against us signing players.


Why is there no clear ruling on the deadling for payment of wages?
Because the FAI rulebook is a joke, nothing to do with any club who tries to adhere to the mess that it is.


Shels were relegated and rightly so but it is obvious that the rela reason behind our relegation was the total hatred and contempt people held for Ollie Byrne.
In your eyes (and those of LeixlipRed) you were rightly relegated, but those who rightly relegated you based their decision on hated of OB? Nonsense.

[diamond]

i'm not gonna get involved with the shels issue here, or the cork one, but concentrate on the drogheda one for the moment. this is the best bit of news we've had in ages. i personally spoke with a few of the players over the last few days and not only are they willing to come to an agreement, many of them want to stay with drogheda next season on a part time basis. the chairman vincent is the main reason for this. many of the players feel great loyalty to this club and man for everything they did get over the good times. now if players are willing not to accept wages owed surely its case closed. the club cannot be accused of withholding/not making payments if the players agree not to take the payments. the fans here have done a hell of a job so far in saving the club and we believe that united park WILL get a licence. It will limit capacity for fire safety reasons but it is not the worst stadium in the premier.
a few days ago even we were only hopeful that we'd have a club. but things are beginning to look up.......despite the craptonian begruggers

[tiktok]

...now if players are willing not to accept wages owed surely its case closed. the club cannot be accused of withholding/not making payments if the players agree not to take the payments.

I'd imagine it is case closed.
Plus it may enable your making a better offer to the unsecured creditors and the Revenue by virtue of the money saved.

[Knappagh Red]

If they don't pay Sligo Rovers the money they owe for Faz they shouldn't be allowed in the Premier Division

[tiktok]

If they don't pay Sligo Rovers the money they owe for Faz they shouldn't be allowed in the Premier Division

You're a creditor, you'll get the same % as the other unsecured creditors.
If they haven't paid for him I don't see why they should hold his registration though, Sligo should be challenging this and expecting him for pre-season training.

[Mr A]

But under licensing I think you have to have paid or settled transfer fees as well as wages.

[tiktok]

But under licensing I think you have to have paid or settled transfer fees as well as wages.

If, as an unsecured creditor, you agree to accept the % that DUFC will offer, then payment of that % will settle the transfer fee. That'd be my understanding of it, I don't think the High Court would allow you status as a preferential creditor over the revenue or the others DUFC owe money to.

[Dodge]

The high court doesn't have any bearing on FAAI club licensing though

[blackholesun]

The high court doesn't have any bearing on FAAI club licensing though

Exactly, all debts with other clubs must be settled. Sligo of course should never have released him unless the cash was paid in full upfront!

I think the chances of Drogs being let into the Premier next year are somewhere between 0-5%. Even if they manage to scrap out of examinership, surely the first division would be the best place for them to regroup after overstretching themselves for years!

bhs

[passerrby]

a club must have no payables due to players, clubs ,revenue and no tranfers payables due so on that basis in will be in default. but on the whole issue of where drogs will be next season if licensing award them a premier licence then it will be exposed as a farce and will lose any remaining credibility assuming it still has any.

[passerrby]

I think the chances of Drogs being let into the Premier next year are somewhere between 0-5%. Even if they manage to scrap out of examinership, surely the first division would be the best place for them to regroup after overstretching themselves for years!

bhs

BHS i have a fundamental problem with this firstly i do not wish any ill will to drogs but why should the first div be seen as a place of punishment if you are not licensing compliant but the clubs already there must be fully compliant

[pineapple stu]

Sligo of course should never have released him unless the cash was paid in full upfront!
But they needed to slash their wage bill at the time too.


why should the first div be seen as a place of punishment if you are not licensing compliant but the clubs already there must be fully compliant
Because (in my opinion anyway) licencing should never kick a team out of the league and out of existence. The worst punishment under it should be demotion to the lowest level of senior football (which is now the A League), regardless of how screwed up you are. And you don't get let up out of that until you're compliant.

[cheech]

The main point is that they CAN'T stay in the Premier as they still owed players money after 30th of November. Regardless if they now come to a settlement.

Why do you think the PFAI are being soooo sweet all of a sudden? 200K raised in a month that is why. I think McGuinness is playing them to ensure they get as much as they can for the players.

I agree fully with the last two posters. Really can't see them retain their Premier place.
If for some reason the FAI decide in their infinite wisdom to allow Drogheda stay in the Premier, I would expect legal action from the likes of Harps and Cobh who have both had their players paid by the deadline.

[pineapple stu]

If for some reason the FAI decide in their infinite wisdom to allow Drogheda stay in the Premier, I would expect legal action from the likes of Harps and Cobh who have both had their players paid by the deadline.
Problem with that is (a) under the new league agreement, clubs aren't allowed take legal action against the league and (b) even if they did anyway, they couldn't afford it.

[SMorgan]

If Drogheda United get a Premier Licence then the FAI may stop pretending that there are any regulations in place regarding participation in the Premier League. If Drogheda get a Licence then the whole licensing system is a complete joke.

Somebody came out with the statement that United Park is not the worst in the Premier League. It is the worst, by a country mile. Not enough seats, the pitch is too small, the distance between the boundary walls and the pitch are substandard and a whole host of other issues relating to access, lighting, event control, health & safety and security.

Is the FAI going to demand a minimum requirement or not?

Now the FAI let Drogheda away on the basis that they were lead to believe that there would be a new ground. Now let us see the basis on which they'll be allowed to stay in the Premier.

[Mr A]

I think the obvious solution to this issue is to relegate Dundalk to the A league.

[holidaysong]

i personally spoke with a few of the players over the last few days and not only are they willing to come to an agreement, many of them want to stay with drogheda next season on a part time basis. the chairman vincent is the main reason for this. many of the players feel great loyalty to this club and man for everything they did get over the good times.

Except for Fabio.. ;)

[diamond]

yeah...have fun paying the mercenary to sit in the stands after he gets a "sex injury" like he did for us!
keep on topic please or this thread will end like many others lately ruined by craptown fans talking crap

[diamond]

i have been to every ground in the league prem and first and i genuinely without drog bias dont think united park is the worst ground. i'm always amazed by the abuse it gets here. i have many friends who support other clubs and all enjoy coming to away games in drogheda and never have a bad word to say about stadium. think everyone here jumped on the united park is a kip bandwagon. i have also recently played in the showgrounds, century, flancare, oriel, tolka and united park and can 100% hand on heart say that united park has the best playing surface by far. i have played on both ucd pitches and the old one was good but can anyone seriously claim the bowl is superior to united park:eek:

[jinxy lilywhite]

yeah...have fun paying the mercenary to sit in the stands after he gets a "sex injury" like he did for us!
keep on topic please or this thread will end like many others lately ruined by craptown fans talking crap

What dundalk fans are talking crap. They have pointed out on numerous occasions the reasons for shelbyville to be awarded a license due to a "new stadia" being provide for drogheda in Co. Meath. That has fallen through and you still expect to be in the premier league when a:


You expect to pay creditors somewhere in the region of 15c in every €. BTW the revenue will not accept that. Cork may of got away with it but the revenue wont be stung twice
You still owe sligo for Kudovic (or however it is spelt)
That Utd pk is way below standards for premier division football
no sort of any business plan has been put forward to the examiner or the high on how drogheda are actually going to function as a club and a business entity
you still owe the majority of your players wages. Player may mean well and may feel a sense of loyalty to hoey but loyalty only goes so far. How loyal will they be the bank manager is knocking on their door wanting their mortgage arrears.
you still have the man who put drogheda utd in this mess in the first place at the helm.

[tiktok]

Exactly, all debts with other clubs must be settled.

...and as I said if Sligo accept [settle with DUFC for] 10% as a creditor before the High Court, how are they then going to claim to the FAI that they haven't had their debt settled?

[tiktok]

You expect to pay creditors somewhere in the region of 15c in every €. BTW the revenue will not accept that. Cork may of got away with it but the revenue wont be stung twice


We didn't 'get away with it'. The revenue opposed it strongly and the High Court ruled against them.

The revenue will also refuse whatever settlement DUFC offer, all that matters is whether the High Court rules in the club's favour.

[passerrby]

Because (in my opinion anyway) licencing should never kick a team out of the league and out of existence. The worst punishment under it should be demotion to the lowest level of senior football (which is now the A League), regardless of how screwed up you are. And you don't get let up out of that until you're compliant.

I think you miss the fundamental point about licensing if you fail a critira and that critiera is the same in the first div then you cannot be awarded that licence. I think that the financial requirements for a Prem or first div licence are the same therefore if you fail you fail end of.. only my opinion and this is not having a dig a drogs but at the process.

[Poor Student]

I can see where Pineapple is coming from. Clubs who cannot meet the criteria should be banished to somewhere where they can still exist and attempt, no matter how slowly, to get their house in order rather than disappear altogether. It remains to be seen if a team can drop down to the A Championship and be viable though, particularly with the very short season.

[Drogman.]

no sort of any business plan has been put forward to the examiner or the high on how drogheda are actually going to function as a club and a business entity
[/LIST]

And you have proof of this?

Listen, I don't really think we should be awarded a Premier Licence be it of debts are not cleared of if the ground is not brought up to scratch.

If we do survive and then get a Premier licence then it'll show up the Licencing system for the sham that it is.

A lot of work is currently going on, with the main aim of saving the club and getting a Premier licence. I've had a lot of close meetings with the club over the past few weeks and I am fully prepared to question them on anything that is proposed going forward.

We as DUFC fans are looking into various different solutions on what sort of a club we can have if we survive next season. Hopefully we will get what we require and not let this mess happen again.

[HarpoJoyce]

.......

If we do survive and then get a Premier licence then it'll show up the Licencing system for the sham that it is.

.......

I understand you were replying to another poster and making other points during your post. But I have to comment on your separate sentence.

Drogheda Utd. have gone to the High Court so they may avoid paying the Debts that are before them in the agreed way. DUFC wish to 'move the goalposts','reach a new compromise with their creditors (fudge?)'. They have continued a conversation with Meath and Louth County Council regarding decisions already made to their determent, 'not living in the present'.
Please don't drag the Licensing decision-making process into the individual decisions DUFC have made at this time. Nobody could touch DUFC for 70 days, now 30 days.

DUFC will have an opportunity to put their case to the licensing decision-makers, do not attempt to denegrate their efforts while they patiently wait for decisions of the High Court which DUFC are able to influence. By going to the High Court, DUFC take the lead in the decision-making process.
Licensing can't talk about you, it is foolish for you to talk about licensing in an
derogatory manner.

[ciaraa]

yeah...have fun paying the mercenary to sit in the stands after he gets a "sex injury" like he did for us!
keep on topic please or this thread will end like many others lately ruined by craptown fans talking crap

Please elaborate on how exactly he is a "Mercenary". Also would love to hear more on this "Sex Injury".

[pineapple stu]

I think you miss the fundamental point about licensing if you fail a critira and that critiera is the same in the first div then you cannot be awarded that licence. I think that the financial requirements for a Prem or first div licence are the same therefore if you fail you fail end of
Take that to its logical conclusion though - if you don't get a licence, what happens? Do you sit outside football until you get everything sorted? How are you meant to sort your problems while you effectively don't exist?