Sporting Fingal Gone Belly Up

[Mr A]

Did they come to any sort of conclusion?

(Though I don't expect much from any TV3 show)

TV3 draws only two conclusions:

1. Society is fecked. We're all going to be killed in our beds.
2. Boobs.

[Longfordian]

I agree with at least half of those conclusions

[CSFShels]

I think its sad that SOME so called fans of our league would love to see another league club fold and not succeed.
Most people here support their club, not the league.

[The Lep]

In saying that, do you mean that most support their clubs and not the league that they are in ?

[marinobohs]

Most people here support their club, not the league.

Appreciate that but if there were no other clubs there would be no league for their club to play in ! personally I support bohs 100% but hope for a successfull league and accordingly don't like to see any club(s) "go under".

Any fan of any LOI club can surely empathise with fans of a club going under ? There but for the grace of God.......

[osarusan]

Most people here support their club, not the league.

That certainly isn't the impression I get about posters on here.

I think most fans support their own club first, obviously, but also dislike the negative criticism the LOI gets as a result of other clubs' actions. I'd say the vast majority on here want to see a healthy LOI with healthy clubs.

Actually I think the whole "I support my club, not the league" line is just crap that posters think allows them to make stupid attacks on other clubs.

[pineapple stu]

Most people here support their club, not the league.
I don't think that'd be correct. Some people would, but nowhere near most, I'd say.

And supporting the league, in my opinion, means not wanting to see clubs so clearly set themselves up for such a big, bad-news-worthy, fall.

[Macy]

And supporting the league, in my opinion, means not wanting to see clubs so clearly set themselves up for such a big, bad-news-worthy, fall.
Yeah, most want to see a sustainable league. As things stand, there is no way the current model of SF is sustainable, no matter how people try and dress it up. At this stage the league is in a lose lose - SF carry on inflating wages by unsustainable spending, or they crash and burn in a blaze of negative publicity. It should never have got to this point, but then we're back to "licencing" that it did.

[marinobohs]

Yeah, most want to see a sustainable league. As things stand, there is no way the current model of SF is sustainable, no matter how people try and dress it up. At this stage the league is in a lose lose - SF carry on inflating wages by unsustainable spending, or they crash and burn in a blaze of negative publicity. It should never have got to this point, but then we're back to "licencing" that it did.

but Sporting Fingal have not breached any of the licencing criteria - I have never even heard it suggested that they did. I don't see how licencing can exclude one large benifactor as this would rule out most clubs (for example I doubt St Pats could have sustained losses in last few years but for one benefactor).
as said before I hope SF are preparing for a "soft landing" or have alternative funding sources in place if/when the Gannon money ceases.
Incidentally because someone goes into NAMA does not mean they are broke (although not a good sign :eek:). I think Gannon (or any other benefactor) can write the investment off against tax so as long as his company(s) generates a tax liability SF will probobly continue to benifit.

[Longfordian]

Don't think there's any tax breaks available for investing in a sports club. Unless they have charitable status which I would doubt.

[marinobohs]

Don't think there's any tax breaks available for investing in a sports club. Unless they have charitable status which I would doubt.
I honestly don't know (long while since I worked in Revenue) but thought there was some provision for writing it off against tax - but could be wrong.

[pineapple stu]

UCD AFC is a registered charity. I know we announce that there's tax breaks for things like sponsorsing a table at the club dinner.

[Macy]

but Sporting Fingal have not breached any of the licencing criteria - I have never even heard it suggested that they did. I don't see how licencing can exclude one large benifactor as this would rule out most clubs (for example I doubt St Pats could have sustained losses in last few years but for one benefactor).
I'm not suggesting they breached licensing; just pointing out it's a flaw of the system. There have been a number of examples in recent seasons where a benefactor has pulled the plug and left a club in trouble mid season. Has anything been done to fill that gap in the licencing system?

Imo, if a club is so reliant on benefactor, there should be an upfront bond paid to the league, which can be released back to the club throughout the season. In that case, the worst case scenario is players, staff and club see out the season at least.

[GalwayRed]

Im not gonna get into an argument of whether Fingal is a county or not. I live in County Fingal thats all that matters. If you dont think its a county then so be it.
Sorry to drag this up again but as someone from Swords are you trying to tell me I'm from County Fingal?

[BonnieShels]

By no means do i feel hard done by :) I didnt expect any diffrent response from a shells fan to be honest. Where are you going with this millwall attitude ?
I think its sad that SOME so called fans of our league would love to see another league club fold and not succeed. The truth is and what is important Sporting Fingal are here and will be here for another while yet .

Ah come on man. I even said that being a Shels fan will automatically make me not like ye. That's a given. And long may a sustainable rivalry remain. ;)

The hard-done-by attitude is there to be seen. I've yet to see much positivity emanating from Fingal fans tbh. And if there's positivity out there then let's see it. :)

I just think that the wider community of LOI fans are tired of the negativity and we want to see this league finally strengthen. But yet again it seems that the annual crisis is imminent.

[BonnieShels]

Sorry to drag this up again but as someone from Swords are you trying to tell me I'm from County Fingal?
Administratively speaking... technically you are. But screw technicalities. Culturally you're a Dub and proud! :)

[SkStu]

Sorry to drag this up again but as someone from Swords are you trying to tell me I'm from County Fingal?

you Fingallions are so weird man.

[Macy]

you Fingallions are so weird man.
Fingwegians, surely?

[GalwayRed]

you Fingallions are so weird man.
The ignorance. Fingallians is spelt with an a:p

[higgins]

It's perfectly acceptable for one man to pump money into a club but the worry here is that this guy is going to lose everything he has when NAMA come knocking.
How will you bridge the 15K per week gap after his assets are frozen?

Has he already given the 2010 money to Fingal?
If so that's fine but we'll have the same problem in 2011 or however long it takes for NAMA to act

[The Lep]

Sorry to drag this up again but as someone from Swords are you trying to tell me I'm from County Fingal?

You can be from where ever you want to be, you can say you live in hogwarts for all i care :) Galway/swords your choice.

[The Lep]

Ah come on man. I even said that being a Shels fan will automatically make me not like ye. why? . That's a given. And long may a sustainable rivalry remain. ;)

The hard-done-by attitude is there to be seen. Im not having a pop but you may need to look a bit closer to home on that one judging by some comments made across the boards by some shells fans. I've yet to see much positivity emanating from Fingal fans tbh. A few Fingal fans have posted as it is on here but you chose to be blind to it . And if there's positivity out there then let's see it. :)

I just think that the wider community of LOI fans are tired of the negativity and we want to see this league finally strengthen. I agree the league needs a few years with football being the only news. But yet again it seems that the annual crisis is imminent. What was that you was saying about negativity ?
You are going on as if Fingal are doomed, this is far from the case. 2010 and 2011 are sorted we will wait and see what 2012 brings . At worse it could be a lot less finance available which would mean the same as what other clubs have done and cut back,it would be common sense but there will still be a Sporting Fingal there to support. We post a loss for the year and some think its the end of us :) others have made far worse losses and are still around.
Look at Derry when their main sponsor pulled out, they made changes and are still around. Look at shells who had some dodgey dealings whilst spending crazy money whilst trying to get into the champions league group stages, they are still around. If and i say a big IF, Fingal has some money worries down the road then im sure it will be dealt with accordingly. Just to clarify so that i dont have to post it again, be NO means do i take for granted that Sporting will be at the level they are now for a number of years and paying the wages some claim they are paying

[The Lep]

It's perfectly acceptable for one man to pump money into a club but the worry here is that this guy is going to lose everything he has when NAMA come knocking.
How will you bridge the 15K per week gap after his assets are frozen?

Has he already given the 2010 money to Fingal?
If so that's fine but we'll have the same problem in 2011 or however long it takes for NAMA to act

What makes you think he is going to lose anything ?

It could be worse we could have had that Fingalton chap instead ;)

[The Lep]

Administratively speaking... technically you are. But screw technicalities. Culturally you're a Dub and proud! :)

I live in Fingal, im not Dub.

[Celdrog]

Look at Derry when their main sponsor pulled out, they made changes and are still around. Emm - they actually aren't around anymore - did you miss the 200 odd page thread?

[The Lep]

Emm - they actually aren't around anymore - did you miss the 200 odd page thread?

Arnt they?They seem to have had a decent crowd at their matches so far this year.

I know about what happend up there last year or what was reported anyway.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Arnt they?They seem to have had a decent crowd at their matches so far this year.

I know about what happend up there last year or what was reported anyway.

Ah now do you not know that you shouldn't mention crowds in a Sporting Fingal thread? :D

[The Lep]

Ok sorry boss, i should have been more careful . Let me know the next time i post the word crowds again. Dam, ive just done it again, sorry it just happpens from time to time.

[CSFShels]

Have you seen that Colin Firth movie thats been in the cinemas lately?

[GalwayRed]

You can be from where ever you want to be, you can say you live in hogwarts for all i care :) Galway/swords your choice.
Well seeing as I was born and raised in Swords I think I'll choose to be a dub:).

[The Lep]

Good choice, well done.

[BonnieShels]

I live in Fingal, im not Dub.


Oh for the love of Jesus.

Were you born after January 1st 1994? Fingal has only existed as an administrative county since then.

[Lamper.sffc]

Ah Bonnie come on. The thread is already starting to decend into the usual. Not worth adding to it. :)

[The Lep]

Oh for the love of Jesus.

Were you born after January 1st 1994? Fingal has only existed as an administrative county since then.

Nope, i was born a good few years before that :) North County Dublin was called Fingal many many years before North County Dublin reached into it. Have a look at a really old map of Dublin.
Fair play to you for declaring your love to Jesus but what has that got to do with me living in Fingal and not being a Dub ?
Why is this thread now about whether Fingal is a county or not ?
The thread was about Fingal maybe being the next club to fold, a bit OTT of a thread title but never mind. Lets stick to the topic with something NEW cos there is no point going off topic just because you havent anything new to say.
To go back on topic. Is Sporting Fingal the next club to go belly up ? No i dont think so,even IF we lose Gannon as a backer Sporting would still be around in some shape or form, maybe not as we are now but still around all the same. We are ok this year and next but havent a clue what 2012 brings so i'll enjoy the Premier Division experience until our points say otherwise at the end of the season.
If as some of you wish that we do go belly up then so be it, there isnt a lot i can do about it at the moment and id be gutted like a Sligo fan at a cup final if it happens but until it does Sporting Fingal is in the league and those that wish that we arnt will just have to deal with it for a bit longer :) Others teams before us have gone through some hardship and survived in some shape of form so im sure we will as well if it comes to it although like most of you i want the league to run smoothly without any of the goings on of last season and the only talking points is the about the wins and losses on the field of play along with the usual banter with fans of other teams.
Lets make this the season of love and good will in the Airtricity league and hug a fan of the away team when you can and do away with the hate for one season at least :)

[Macy]

What makes you think he is going to lose anything ?
NAMA is an FF creation, I doubt the developers will lose much. The most recent developer to lose "everything", went off to slum it in his Marbella villa. But they'll be claiming the poor mouth, so I doubt they'll be throwing money at such things football clubs due to the optics.

But to be honest, that's not really the point. If a benefactor simply gets bored they could pull the money. Is there protection for the club, and the league, no matter the reason if a benefactor stops paying?

[pineapple stu]

2010 and 2011 are sorted
On what basis?

Also, Derry City FC went into liquidation and were restarted by a different bunch of people (as is my understanding). If Sporting Fingal go into liquidation, who outside of Gannon and Buckley is going to restart it?

[Buile Shuibhne]

You are going on as if Fingal are doomed, this is far from the case. 2010 and 2011 are sorted we will wait and see what 2012 brings .


Has Gerry Gannon paid up his 750k X 2 (or whatever the exact amounts are for this season and next?) in advance?

If he hasn't - but he decides to walk away any time soon - then you are fecked.

There is way you can assert that you are sorted for 2010 & 2011.

[GalwayRed]

Ok I'll go on topic now. If Gannon does stick to his word and invest the money for the next 2 years then this is the window they have to build up a fanbase and progress in the league. if Fingal can maintain a crowd similar to what they had against Sligo then its a very good start but to be honest its a very tough ask. I have witnessed the efforts Fingal have made to attract new fans and to be fair to them its excellent. However thats mainly down to the money Fingal have and the fact they are a full time set-up. For example Shels wouldn't be able to send players around to schools to promote the club and such as the players all have second jobs. If Gannon decides to pull out in two years time then Fingals finances are going to be cut drastically which will probably result in relegation and part time football. From their its tough to see how the club can continue on. Time will tell though.

[The Lep]

NAMA is an FF creation, I doubt the developers will lose much. The most recent developer to lose "everything", went off to slum it in his Marbella villa. But they'll be claiming the poor mouth, so I doubt they'll be throwing money at such things football clubs due to the optics.

But to be honest, that's not really the point. If a benefactor simply gets bored they could pull the money. Is there protection for the club, and the league, no matter the reason if a benefactor stops paying?

Thats true for all clubs but in our case we have some decent sponsorship across the board . If and if our main benefactor pulls out for whatever reason we may have to do some major changes then and only then.

[redbuli]

dont Sporting Fingal plan to move to a new pupose built stadium in lusk or somewhere? just wondering if is there a timeline for this and if any of the fingal fans know who will fund it etc

[The Lep]

Ok I'll go on topic now. If Gannon does stick to his word and invest the money for the next 2 years then this is the window they have to build up a fanbase and progress in the league. if Fingal can maintain a crowd similar to what they had against Sligo then its a very good start but to be honest its a very tough ask. I have witnessed the efforts Fingal have made to attract new fans and to be fair to them its excellent. However thats mainly down to the money Fingal have and the fact they are a full time set-up. For example Shels wouldn't be able to send players around to schools to promote the club and such as the players all have second jobs. If Gannon decides to pull out in two years time then Fingals finances are going to be cut drastically which will probably result in relegation and part time football. From their its tough to see how the club can continue on. Time will tell though.

Good post and i agree to most of it. Only part i disagree with is the last bit where you say it would be tough to see the club continue, if it does go badly then like you say cuts would be made and we could fall back down to where we was going to start at in the beginning in the A championship and with all the hard work gone in to Sporting Fingal as part of the Sport in Fingal project then im sure the powers that be will do all they can to stop all that hard work going to waste.
You mention maintaining a crowd, yes id be happy if we could improve on our first home game attendance this year but to make it really work we would need crowds the same as what Foras has got or at least 2000 plus each home game which im sure other clubs would agree for them as well. Its best to take one year at a time and with Fingal in the Premier for the first time and europe then its an exciting time for the Fingal fans and im going to enjoy the football while it last as nobody knows what the future holds only time will tell.
3 points tonight will do me for a start so Cmon Fingal :)

[The Lep]

dont Sporting Fingal plan to move to a new pupose built stadium in lusk or somewhere? just wondering if is there a timeline for this and if any of the fingal fans know who will fund it etc

Yes,

The rest, i dont know.

[Macy]

Thats true for all clubs but in our case we have some decent sponsorship across the board . If and if our main benefactor pulls out for whatever reason we may have to do some major changes then and only then.
It was meant as a general point, and the fact that the FAI continues to leave a situation where "major changes" happen mid season, and inevitably mean players and staff not being paid.

[bad mongo]

Yes,

The rest, i dont know.


http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Planning/PlanningItemsOnDisplay/PlanningItemsPreviouslyonDisplay/A-KPreviouslyonDisplay/FingalFootballAcademy/

AFAIK this project is seriously stalled. I would guess it will be at least 3-4 years before Fingal CoCo can find the money to finance this- even assuming some kind of economic upturn in the next 18 months.

[total hoofball]

Poor Gerry No Bobs has practically whacked everything including the kitchen sink into his wife's name to keep a roof over his head



Meet the Developers' Wives! Thanks to their husbands putting assets in their names, all these women now own property fortunes…

--------------------

MARGARET GANNON Wife of Gerry Gannon THE 60-year-old housewife is a former hairdresser.

On January 16 the Gannon Homes boss, whose loans are to be taken over by Nama, gave her Hatley Manor, a 19th century pile on banks of the Shannon. That same day, she also became the owner of a property at Summercove, Kinsale, and apartments at Malahide Marina.

Since last spring, she has acquired a vast portfolio including land banks at Dublin Airport, land at Clontarf Golf Club and the midlands, an imposing house at Eglin Road in Ballsbridge, a e3m house in the K Club, apartments in Malahide and the foreshore at Lough Glynn. All bar one are mortgage-free. She and her husband are friendly with Charlie and Noreen McCreevy.


http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/mail-on-sunday-london-england-the/mi_8003/is_2010_March_21/meet-developers-wives-husbands-putting/ai_n52664375/


Half of the K Club put up for sale for €60m


THE K Club is up for sale -- well half of it anyway.

Cash-strapped property developer Gerry Gannon is selling his 49pc share in the world famous hotel, golf and country club at a price of €60m.

---------------

Mr Gannon explained his reason for selling as: "I cannot expect the taxpayer to fund an exclusive loss-making club in Co Kildare."


http://www.herald.ie/national-news/half-of-the-k-club-put-up-for-sale-for-836460m-2147679.html
Will he be expecting the taxpayer to fund an exclusive loss-making football club from Santry?

[The Lep]

Go and ask him.

[sixesandsevens]

Dear oh dear, that doesn't make very good reading for Fingal, should Bray start planning for another season in the Premier?

[Roo69]

Dear oh dear, that doesn't make very good reading for Fingal, should Bray start planning for another season in the Premier?

:) :) :)

[marinobohs]

http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Planning/PlanningItemsOnDisplay/PlanningItemsPreviouslyonDisplay/A-KPreviouslyonDisplay/FingalFootballAcademy/

AFAIK this project is seriously stalled. I would guess it will be at least 3-4 years before Fingal CoCo can find the money to finance this- even assuming some kind of economic upturn in the next 18 months.

Was out at Morton stadium last night for the first time in many years (I think since Bohs famous 6-4 win over shams :D) and thought it a good stadium. Admittitedly it was dry last night and I would not fancy 90+ minutes there in the rain but SF are hardly the only club in that position.
My point is that as long as they have access to Morton there is no immediate need for a new ground - yes, ideally they would move to a new stadium ASAP but Morton is decent enough for a club still in its infancy.
...... or maybe its just after my last two visits there I have grown to like the place :o

[KK77]

Dear oh dear, that doesn't make very good reading for Fingal, should Bray start planning for another season in the Premier?

Only way we are likely to get back in!!!!