Licences 2011

[Longfordian]

Yep it's just a way of making another couple of grand out of the process. I'm struggling to think of any successful appeals in recent years.

[Lim till i die]

I'm just amazed that apparently all the other clubs had a valid tax clearance cert. :eek:

Could we see a bit of a push from Mervue or Salthill now, there's potential for a mediocre Premier club in that town if twas run right like.

[John83]

...From any outsider's view it really is crazy. For various reasons the teams who came 4th and 8th in the top flight won't be in the league at all next year, but the 9th and 10th premier teams will be in the top flight as well as 1st and 3rd in the first division. The teams who came 2nd and 4th in the first stay in the first, but the team who came 5th mightn't be in the league at all and we don't know how many teams will be in the first division or how many times they'll play each other. Luckily they published the fixtures in December!!! Y'know the thing that happens from March to November where we play loads of games - does that really have any bearing on what happens?
It determines which teams get to sue each other for the title.

[Mr A]

Might Waterford consider an appeal? And if they were successful would they then get the premier place?

[Lim till i die]

Hendo isn't qualified is about the long and the short of it, regardless of anything else.

Suppose they could sack him and get in Roddy Collins or someone.

[bluemovie]

Apparently that would be unbecoming of us! I'd believe no one man is bigger than the club, but I'd say that's a side issue anyway. Not going to be relevant. I had no expectations of promotion. Seems Mons leapfrogged us after winning the first part of the play-off series. The one where it was Waterford United 1 Monaghan United 3 reffed by P.McLaughlin (Monaghan). Now if Drogheda, Bohs or anyone else should go bust in the next few weeks, we'd seemingly be passed over for promotion in favour of Shels whose Tolka Park ground is now a beacon of Premier-standard beauty. I'm messing though - not worried one way or the other. I'm prepared to spend another season fretting over results and travelling around the country and then waiting til next February to see whether we're deemed worthy or not.

It finally confirms what an absolute joke the Independent Assessment Group was in 2006. Did Galway finish top of the off-field criteria? The model to which we were all to aspire. Now they're not good enough for the league. That's not a cut at Galway fans - I have deep sympathy for ye - just the running of the league. How would Monaghan, Mervue, Salthill fare on those criteria - potential attendances, etc?

Nick Leeson is on his way to Abbotstown as we speak with a can of petrol!

[Spudulika]

Sounds like a bit of horseplay from worried John and his merry band of lackies to be honest.

If we get kicked out of the League on some nonsense considering how well ran the club is I'll actually be able to walk away and not really give a toss, amazed how non annoyed I am by the whole thing.

With regards to all the other nonsense surely the sensible thing (i know, i know, bear with me) to do would be to bump monaghan up to the premier with drogheda (lol btw) and have galway and cobh take their places in the first.

I wondered what was going to happen when decisions on licences had to be made. You only have yourselves to blame, shame on you for trying to point out the flaws in obviously intelligent, transparent and correct communication and administration from those who would rule us :-)

[hoopy]

After 30+ years of ups and downs with this club today is the lowest ever.
Thanks to those who are not celebrating our aparent demise.
Gutted beyond words

I think you'll find that most LOI fans are very dissappointed for Galway. On a personal level I've nothing but good memories from many visits/overnighters, be it victories or defeats, and many great games of footie played between fans outside a certain pub.

[jebus]

It finally confirms what an absolute joke the Independent Assessment Group was in 2006. Did Galway finish top of the off-field criteria? The model to which we were all to aspire. Now they're not good enough for the league.


One can only presume they were promoted based off the lies of those that have now dragged the club down to the A Championship

I recall the fans celebrating then, so I have no sympathy for them. A few of us made mention of Leeson's past misdeeds, gave warnings not to trust the man even, but we were told we were bitter about Galway's promotion.

A sad day for those who don't believe in ironic retribution

[sixesandsevens]

Think the fai should just ditch the traditional method of who should be champions, promoted relegated and instead award these honours to clubs with best/worst licence application alone. At least it would save on players wages

[Doomofman]

If it's the Tax thing for Galway like extratime.ie suggest, then they're screwed

[WoodquayBoy]

One can only presume they were promoted based off the lies of those that have now dragged the club down to the A Championship

I recall the fans celebrating then, so I have no sympathy for them. A few of us made mention of Leeson's past misdeeds, gave warnings not to trust the man even, but we were told we were bitter about Galway's promotion.

A sad day for those who don't believe in ironic retribution
We celebrated, but did not mock Dundalk or any other club for the fact we were invited to join the new league ahead of them. And not all of us bought into the Leeson Lies.

[Knappagh Red]

Not so long ago Galway were boasting in the national media about their €1.2 million budget for the season, Niall Quinn was at Galway races with the championship trophy, Sunderland came to open a new stand, crowds of over 2000, businessmen were tripping over each other trying to get fat sponsorship cheques to media darling Leeson, and the over exited idiot chairman proclaimed GUFC to be the biggest club in Connaught, you have to forgive the Sligo Rovers fans for having a quiet chuckle

[White Horse]

We celebrated, but did not mock Dundalk or any other club for the fact we were invited to join the new league ahead of them. And not all of us bought into the Leeson Lies.

To be honest, my ire at the time was focussed on the FAI. I recall Galway fans being a little embarrassed about the circumstances. I, for one, won't put the boot in.

[WoodquayBoy]

Not so long ago Galway were boasting in the national media about their €1.2 million budget for the season, Niall Quinn was at Galway races with the championship trophy, Sunderland came to open a new stand, crowds of over 2000, businessmen were tripping over each other trying to get fat sponsorship cheques to media darling Leeson, and the over exited idiot chairman proclaimed GUFC to be the biggest club in Connaught, you have to forgive the Sligo Rovers fans for having a quiet chuckle

Not so long ago Galway United were finishing above Sligo - played in the Premier Division for a couple of season at the start of the last decade when Sligo were in the First Division. We finished 3rd to their 6th in 2002/03 First Division campaign, and fifth to their seventh in the 2004 campaign. Don't know what stand Sunderland came over to open, but it wasn't in Terryland. Yes, they played a friendly there mind, no more than Everton played in the Showgrounds and Real Madrid played in Tallaght, and Barcelona would have played in Thomond only for the FAI to stick their oar in. Your point? And heaven forbid businessmen, or anyone else, would want to put money into the club, that's just madness. Bertie Ahern and the FIanna Fail tent at the Galway Races, that's Galway United's fault as well, yeah? Well, it is just as tenuous a link as your insightful observation. I'll agree with your point about the chairman being an idiot though.
Sorry, just feeling very raw right now

[brendy_éire]

Yep it's just a way of making another couple of grand out of the process. I'm struggling to think of any successful appeals in recent years.

Did we not appeal in the first year of licensing?

Iirc, it was because we didn't have our accounts signed off with the (southern) Revenue. Can't remember if we got them signed off eventually, or the rules were just changed so that we could get them signed off by northern Revenue instead.

[Longfordian]

Yeah there were a few appeals in the first couple of years. I think in the first year pretty much the whole league failed first time around but over the last three or four there hasn't been many successes. Clubs are supposed to know what they have to do and when they have to do it by. That's the FAI's thinking anyway.

[The Lep]

That's the thing though. No matter if the rogue trader leaves, who is going to show up to A-Championship games in Terryland? Not looknig good for the future of the club at all.

Galway fans who care ?

[WoodquayBoy]

Exactly The Lep. I love Galway United and, daft as it sounds, I love the League of Ireland. If United go to the A Championship, then so do I. If the club folds and does not return in some other guise, I'll still follow the league, just not any particular club (apart from those playing Mervue and Salthill, naturally. And Sligo. Oh, Limerick too. And not forgetting Dundalk for the League Cup final loss in 1980. Shams handed us a few pastings last season so them as well. And Longford dumped us out of the Cup a couple of seasons ago, so might as well add them. And Derry for our record defeat. And Pats for taking our best players in the 1990s. Drogheda beat us in a promotion play-off in controversial circumstances so they're on the list as well. I got sick in St Colman's Park once so 'boo' for Cobh. And Harps for beating us in an FAI Cup semi-final. As did Shels, so ditto them. )

[Lim till i die]

John Delaney, if you are reading this, I have caught wind of what I think might have been your plan.

YOU ARE A BIG JOKE. :D

Limerick FC 2 The FAI 0.

http://drawchan.net/dc/dw/src/129508564660.gif

[Sam_Heggy]

Firstly anyway, im guuted were not in the 1st division this year, such a shame really, rumours had it we were. I think as usual we were the victim of our own downfall. What harm, have to have our sights on winning the a league this year.

And im not positive but im 99% sure hendo either has an "a" coaching badge or else hes very close to having one he's deifintly being on sourses in dublin doing it. So if he doesnt have it he is very close to having it, i remember in england gareth southgate was allowed manage becuase he was after starting the course so if it was just becuase of hendo id imagine they'd be left have a prem licence

I think you need the UEFA Pro Licence now in the Prem and the A Badge for the 1st along with coaching staff.

[historynut]

Why bother playing league football, if the authorities determine what level you play at, and not what position you actually achieve !

[El-Pietro]

Exactly The Lep. I love Galway United and, daft as it sounds, I love the League of Ireland. If United go to the A Championship, then so do I. If the club folds and does not return in some other guise, I'll still follow the league, just not any particular club (apart from those playing Mervue and Salthill, naturally. And Sligo. Oh, Limerick too. And not forgetting Dundalk for the League Cup final loss in 1980. Shams handed us a few pastings last season so them as well. And Longford dumped us out of the Cup a couple of seasons ago, so might as well add them. And Derry for our record defeat. And Pats for taking our best players in the 1990s. Drogheda beat us in a promotion play-off in controversial circumstances so they're on the list as well. I got sick in St Colman's Park once so 'boo' for Cobh. And Harps for beating us in an FAI Cup semi-final. As did Shels, so ditto them. )
so Us, Mons, Bohs, UCD, Wexford Bray, and Athlone and Waterford then is it?

have a feeling im missing a league club

[Guitd]

from what i heard Galway wer shafted by the FAI for 2 football debts totaling less than 8k and a late delivery of a tax clearance cert ...its beggers belief how other clubs seem to have far great debts than this a get a licence ,i wonder is it anything to do with galway having 3 clubs and the FAI needing to reduce them?

Anyway it looks like the end for united ,cant see enough support for us in the first division ,and we defo wont be playing in the A championship in Terryland as the costs would be too great to hire the ground for such games :waving:

[WoodquayBoy]

so Us, Mons, Bohs, UCD, Wexford Bray, and Athlone and Waterford then is it?

have a feeling im missing a league club

Missing 2 clubs as of now - Sporting Fingal and ourselves

[El-Pietro]

The problem is Guitd that those are the rules. I agree it seems harsh but your club knew that they needed to have those sorted before yesterday.

I agree that Bohs are a shambles, close to Cork City under Tom Coughlan levels (though not quite) but the fact is they managed to meet the minimum requirements and as such the FAI can't prevent them from playing in the Premier.

every club knows you have to have your football debts sorted and get the tax man on board or you don't get a license. I'm gutted for ye to be honest. I really am, and I remember how hard things were for us this time last year. At least we had the first division. But ye will be stronger for this if ye can get up out of the A championship quickly

[Paddyfield]

The Annual Galway United Crisis has started early this year.

[bingoballs]

Gutted for Galway. I just can't help but wonder why the FAI feel justified in bending over backwords for some clubs and throwing the book at others.

[Paddyfield]

I think you'll find that most LOI fans are very dissappointed for Galway. On a personal level I've nothing but good memories from many visits/overnighters, be it victories or defeats, and many great games of footie played between fans outside a certain pub.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYSORBwNHYI

[Jofspring]

A lot are complaining about the licensing situation and places in the league next season being decided off the field and not on. I think this would only be a fair arguement if every team played by the rules, signed who they could afford, stayed within budget and didn't delay on payments to players and everyone had their house in order. Only then could we really complain about the committee deciding the leagues and not the success on the field. As we all know in this league a successful or relatively successful club on the field doesn't neccessarily mean a well run club behind the scenes.

Still shocked about Galway though. Is there any cheaper grounds they could use to play at if they where to continue in the A Championship as i know Terryland would be too expensive?

On the Limerick situation i'd be interested to know what they mean. If Pat O Sullivan says the funds for running the club are secure is that good enough or what are they looking for?

[Redkenrover]

Sorry to hear about the problems at Galway Utd. For me it was a handy away trip and another club on the western side of the country. Disappointed for the genuine fans.

[Red Army]

Who's the biggest club in Galway now? Salthill?
I find it funny how Galway are looking to blame the fai for their demise when it's all their own fault.

[El-Pietro]

i dont find it funny, but i do agree that galway have no one to blame but those running their club

[gufct]

Agreement had been reached with both the footballing creditors one of whom was waiting for the cheque that was lodged to his account to clear (he had emailed this to the Fai) and the 2nd wanted to confirm the agreement with his solicitor today.

The tax situation was that we owed 11,500 of an original bill of 100,000 that we had paid off over the last 18th monts.Verbal agreement was agreed with our auditors on Thursday and the revenue came back looking for 3 conditions which we sorted on friday but the man with the final say wasnt in work on Thursday and Friday and we only got written confirmation today.

This is just to let the people know the exact details.I am absolutely gutted after 35 years of supporting and working for the club that it has come to this. We are appealing but im sickened . Ive had 40 fans young and old ringing me personally distraught and saying this is the end of LOI football for Galway.

[geezer]

On the Limerick situation i'd be interested to know what they mean. If Pat O Sullivan says the funds for running the club are secure is that good enough or what are they looking for?[/QUOTE]

I think the likes of directors have to sign "letters of comfort" that what they commit to will not be withdrawn...like arkaga. This is the difference between limerick and galway tonight. Limerick just need confirmation of submitted documents. Galway while supplying all the details right up to deadline, including emails regarding agreements with revenue. The boss at the revenue office seems to have been on leave thursday and friday so they couldnt issue the letter although they could confirm they were accepting of a deal. The Licence office was kept informed email by email of the conversation between gufc auditors and revenue. So whatever we get off revenue this week will be beyond dates required for licence and cant be admitted in appeal. And if what they had wasnt enough on saturday its an uphill technical struggle.

To see the licence application with 98% of the boxes passed for premier licence and see one in red is absolutely gut wrenching. Appeal in but I fear the decision has passed..The club is at fault no doubt but considering what we were left with and having being kept out of the detailed affairs of the club until the 2nd of february the supporters have been punished probably the harshest in my 35 years of following the League

[Mr_Parker]

Agreement had been reached with both the footballing creditors one of whom was waiting for the cheque that was lodged to his account to clear (he had emailed this to the Fai) and the 2nd wanted to confirm the agreement with his solicitor today.

The tax situation was that we owed 11,500 of an original bill of 100,000 that we had paid off over the last 18th monts.Verbal agreement was agreed with our auditors on Thursday and the revenue came back looking for 3 conditions which we sorted on friday but the man with the final say wasnt in work on Thursday and Friday and we only got written confirmation today.

This is just to let the people know the exact details.I am absolutely gutted after 35 years of supporting and working for the club that it has come to this. We are appealing but im sickened . Ive had 40 fans young and old ringing me personally distraught and saying this is the end of LOI football for Galway.

If that is the case, and the revenue can confirm the reason for the hold up, I think you might stillget through on appeal.

[gufct]

If that is the case, and the revenue can confirm the reason for the hold up, I think you might stillget through on appeal.

We are not allowed to bring any new evidence to the appeal.

[Mr_Parker]

We are not allowed to bring any new evidence to the appeal.

Would you have not already have supplied confirmation from the Revenue that the person needed to sign the letter was on leave?

[The Donie Forde]

[/QUOTE]

...the supporters have been punished probably the harshest in my 35 years of following the League[/QUOTE]

Hard to disagree with that, especially when the GUST has only been on board for a couple of weeks... It will be an absolute disaster if Galway end up in the 'A' Championship, IMHO. Worst comes to the worst, they should be in the First.



Donie

[paudie]

Hope Galway get sorted. Always the 1st away fixture I look for since I started college down there. Be waste to have such a good ground not used in Premier.

Or in the First division either. Won't Mervue be using their own ground this year?

[Longfordian]

Knowing the FAI as I do (a little, or more particularly contact I know others have had) if they made the decision to turn down the application they won't be going back on it. They'll say blame Leeson et al for not getting out earlier. They'll have about four or five emails on file showing that they told Galway what they had to have in and when.

[Mr Maroon]

Won't Mervue be using their own ground this year?

Yes. Fahy's Field.

[gael353]

I think the likes of directors have to sign "letters of comfort" that what they commit to will not be withdrawn...like arkaga. This is the difference between limerick and galway tonight. Limerick just need confirmation of submitted documents.

Limerick have signed that letter long long ago, John boy is looking for something other clubs would never be asked for. Now dont get me wrong maybe the fai have lost all our financial documentation, maybe like you never know ;)

[WoodquayBoy]

We are not allowed to bring any new evidence to the appeal.

I'm holding out hope that the letter from Revenue will not be regarded as new evidence, but merely officil confirmation of the email correspondence, which would be allowed.
My concern is the outstanding creditor, if nothing was included in the application that agreement had been reached pending ratification from the creditor's solicitor, then we're goosed

[jebus]

There's not a hope this will be overturned. As others have said, if there was a chance you'd have been given a conditional licence so that the board could say that you fulfilled their criteria on review

If they overturn their own ruling they are admitting they were wrong in the first place

[sligoman]

Connor will surely leave, not that I'd blame him.Will he? Hasn't he another 2 years left in his contract? Can't see him walking away unless he gets a pay off...it's not as if there'll be many clubs lining up to give him a job.

[sheao]

For the league as a whole it's disappointing to see Galway United in the situation they now find themselves in . League needs a side like Galway in it imo, just like sides from other areas like Derry etc to make it a proper league of Ireland.

[horton]

Could they even afford to honour his contract? I don't know what the funding is like in the A Champ but I'd say his wages would be far to high for the kinda budget they'd be working with.

[Longfordian]

Anything that was in any way pending or subject to ratification is enough reason for them to turn you down. We've been in a similar situation a few years ago and they wouldn't give us any leeway. Luckily we managed to pull everything together in time, and the players cooperated and signed an unconditional agreement which satisfied the FAI.

I'm holding out hope that the letter from Revenue will not be regarded as new evidence, but merely officil confirmation of the email correspondence, which would be allowed.
My concern is the outstanding creditor, if nothing was included in the application that agreement had been reached pending ratification from the creditor's solicitor, then we're goosed

[Bray-Z]

Karl Sheppard's view: "Time to have my say on Galway United........I think it would be awful if they werent in the league really would, even tho the support hasnt been great as of the last 2-3 years they still are one of the biggest clubs in Ireland as an ex player I did have a feeling that this could have happened due to the fact that crowds are so low and Players who are earning buttons have to take wage deferrals, If I know the Galway fans alot will be just complaining and blaming Fai or others, some fans will be doing there all for a successful appeal, this is a Time where hopefully they all realize this could be what they need, if they all pull together and have a successful appeal and get the fans back in and This could be the scare they need to realise the club could end if crowds dont improve and the club isnt run properly I will end my rant on this I hope they stay up as I really Loved 99% of my time at Galway."

(From his twitter)