Drogs to dump Cooke?

[MiniMourinho]

I'm not smearing. I can see why it could come across like that though. But I know he did. It's just one small issues that is part of the bigger uglier picture.

[dejadem]

It's just one small issues that is part of the bigger uglier picture.

Such as ...?

[DRDoc]

I'm not smearing. I can see why it could come across like that though. But I know he did. It's just one small issues that is part of the bigger uglier picture.

like what?

[MiniMourinho]

like what?

The proposed new stadium and those who almost killed the club in 2008 over housing property.

[White Horse]

The proposed new stadium and those who almost killed the club in 2008 over housing property.

Perhaps you can't say anything, but I'm hearing rumours that there is a takeover attempt by the previous owners at the heart of this. Is there are truth in this?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Ah now, we all had a go for the Limerick job lads, in fairness. Think I was between Kevin Kilbane and Quinton Fortune.

[MiniMourinho]

Perhaps you can't say anything, but I'm hearing rumours that there is a takeover attempt by the previous owners at the heart of this. Is there are truth in this?

It's no rumour.

[marinobohs]

At least Monaghan united knew about the Drogs interest in Mick. No Quigley didn't ask to leave. He was put on the stand at the Europa league press conference against Malmo and then told the next morning to sling his hook without any explanation. Brian Gannon was told he wasn't wanted on the last day of the window too and was unbelievably lucky to sort a club out in time. Disgusting behaviour from a man, never mind a manager. Turns out it doesn't end there and that the players indicated they won't be signing for him again next season. That is why it had to happen now. This is the time when the club needs to be sorting out its squad for next year.

Do you not care that your so called manager would interview for anything under the sun? He's only interested in the money. Drogs have very little of that and thus have to protect their club at all costs. I commend the board for taking the unbelieveably brave and difficult decision to do this, knowing the reaction they would get. That is true love for your club, especially when you are only a volunteer.

......so (1) a manager decided which player(s) he felt were surplus to clubs requirements and released them (2) a man is interested primarily in what income his work brings (obviously not true as he argued over the budget NOT his salary) (3) he MAY have interviewed for a better job ( I heard differently ).

Jeez, how is there not a mob forming outside Hunky Dory park right now ?:o

It should, in fact, have been a simple decision for the Drogs board to veto any increased budget - especially given how close they came to extinction in recent times. Looking at the state of this League you really think it is 'unbelievably brave' of the Board not to increase budget ? While the League has not always been awash with common sense that one is surely a no brainer.

[dejadem]

The proposed new stadium and those who almost killed the club in 2008 over housing property.

OK, so that's something 3 pages in ....
Didn't one of those 2008 people not just announce the new stadium WITH the club on Tuesday?

[pateen]

It's no rumour.

What were the prevous guys names again. Hoey I think was one if I remember correctly

[MiniMourinho]

OK, so that's something 3 pages in ....
Didn't one of those 2008 people not just announce the new stadium WITH the club on Tuesday?

One has pure motives. The others not so. As far as I know the club itself has never made a single announcement about this stadium. It's just the separate group who are trying to bring it to fruition and then to the club. All that has happened to date is submission of planning permission. The stadium is no closer than 12 months ago. Anytime I've spoken to a board member they were always quick to pour cold water on it until something solid has actually been achieved. And rightly so!

[dejadem]

One has pure motives. The others not so. As far as I know the club itself has never made a single announcement about this stadium. It's just the separate group who are trying to bring it to fruition and then to the club. All that has happened to date is submission of planning permission. The stadium is no closer than 12 months ago. Anytime I've spoken to a board member they were always quick to pour cold water on it until something solid has actually been achieved. And rightly so!


So Mick Cooke has some involvement with a stadium agenda that the club want nothing to do with at the moment?

[MiniMourinho]

Think the club obviously want the stadium project to succeed. But don't believe it is currently based on prudent financial planning or realistic intentions! And now on top of that it seems these people think they have some devine right to step back in after 3 years of hard work in stabilising the club and bringing success.

These people are only interested in financial gain. The reason why the club almost folded in 2008.

[dejadem]

Think the club obviously want the stadium project to succeed. But don't believe it is currently based on prudent financial planning or realistic intentions! And now on top of that it seems these people think they have some devine right to step back in after 3 years of hard work in stabilising the club and bringing success.

These people are only interested in financial gain. The reason why the club almost folded in 2008.


OK, but what's the exact link from this to Mick Cooke's situation?

[MiniMourinho]

Name a manager whos head wouldn't be turned by being promised a massive budget in the future. Money money money.

All hypothetical, of course!

[White Horse]

The club is right to be cautious.

However, the prospect of a 3,500 all seater stadium is one that must excite them. If the HSE need the land desperately, the money might just be there. This being Ireland though, there are always vultures circling when a property deal is mooted.

By the way, have the hospital expressed an interest in buying United Park?

[dejadem]

Name a manager whos head wouldn't be turned by being promised a massive budget in the future. Money money money.

All hypothetical, of course!


Finally you get to the point. So just say that, why all the crap over the Limerick interview? It is obviously was a nothing event, but you were trying to make it out as a reason behind his removal.

[MiniMourinho]

These are all just examples for his removal. The stadium potentially being the big one. There's more that I'm not going into. Its all very disappointing to see how some success can ruin people.

[Kiki Balboa]

The club is right to be cautious.


By the way, have the hospital expressed an interest in buying United Park?

Front page of the Drogheda Independent said that its being sold. Drogheda is meant to be getting a great deal on the old coke cola site but I foresee future problems though, Louth GAA dont have a home (with talks with a ground share with DKIT stalling) and I suspect they will throw a spanner in the works and see if the can get anything out of the deal with coke

[dejadem]

These are all just examples for his removal. The stadium potentially being the big one. There's more that I'm not going into. Its all very disappointing to see how some success can ruin people.


Maybe so, but it took you 4 pages to get the point dragged out of you, while you were using some bull**** Limerick interview from 7 months ago as an excuse.
Also why try to push him? If it is as serious as your enraged tone (somewhat faux at times) suggests, why not just sack him outright.
It also doesn't answer why now, instead of the end of the season, or indeed 2 months ago, or 6 months ago?

[MiniMourinho]

Front page of the Drogheda Independent said that its being sold. Drogheda is meant to be getting a great deal on the old coke cola site but I foresee future problems though, Louth GAA dont have a home (with talks with a ground share with DKIT stalling) and I suspect they will throw a spanner in the works and see if the can get anything out of the deal with coke

Planning has been submitted for the project. Their plan is to sell to HSE. BUT, so far the HSE have shown no interest. So it's all pie in the sky really isnt it!

[MiniMourinho]

Maybe so, but it took you 4 pages to get the point dragged out of you, while you were using some bull**** Limerick interview from 7 months ago as an excuse.
Also why try to push him? If it is as serious as your enraged tone (somewhat faux at times) suggests, why not just sack him outright.
It also doesn't answer why now, instead of the end of the season, or indeed 2 months ago, or 6 months ago?

Sorry, I don't have all the answers.

[dejadem]

Sorry, I don't have all the answers.

but you certainly let on that you do, if fact you have openly suggested that you know more if not all about the situation, but can't discuss it.

Any wonder fans are frustrated with the sacking when those involved in the club (or their spoke persons) are out muddying the water with nothing stories about Limerick interviews & sob stories about players been let go in window? Nothing to do with the real reason it seems now, it is down to money & stadium land deals, so why did you bother with all that other stuff?

[MiniMourinho]

Sorry I came across that way!

[White Horse]

Planning has been submitted for the project. Their plan is to sell to HSE. BUT, so far the HSE have shown no interest. So it's all pie in the sky really isnt it!

That is the key factor.

Does the HSE want it? They are putting additional out patient services into Navan, Dundalk, and Cavan. As the property market has collapsed, they cannot offload those sites.

Are they going to spend millions on the United Park site? Do they have the money?

That Coke site is a great one though and a new all seater stadium in the county would be great.

[TonyD]

Front page of the Drogheda Independent said that its being sold. Drogheda is meant to be getting a great deal on the old coke cola site but I foresee future problems though, Louth GAA dont have a home (with talks with a ground share with DKIT stalling) and I suspect they will throw a spanner in the works and see if the can get anything out of the deal with coke

The GAA attempt to throw a spanner in the works of a new football stadium ? Surely not ?? would be so unlike them. :p

[Nesta99]

Is this a new planning submission as opposed to the one that was submitted to meet licence criteria and continue using United Park? WH is spot on in relation to the HSE not being in a position to purchase UP at the moment but if it is a one off oppertunity that they may lose out on if others show interest they could pull a rabbit out of a hat!

As an aside, the purchase of the JJB complex by DkIT has probably stretched their finances with students agreeing to pay a €25 levy to chip in with cost. Hence the slow progress with the stadium on the campus. Louth GAA dont have the ability to start from scratch for a new project at the coke site so they are very unlikely start hijacking as much as they would want to. Actually Louth GAA are more likely to look at United Park as an oppertunity to expand the O'Raghallaighs ground as the County Ground.

[Acornvilla]

Eamonn Donohoe ‏@EamonnDonohoe (https://twitter.com/EamonnDonohoe)1m (https://twitter.com/EamonnDonohoe/status/378210381719953408)
Drogheda United reveal that striker Gary O'Neill has been diagnosed with testicular cancer

Hope he'll be ok

[White Horse]

I'm hearing Martin Russell is the next Drogheda manager.

Can anyone from Drogheda or UCD confirm?

[Battery Rover]

I'm hearing Martin Russell is the next Drogheda manager.

Can anyone from Drogheda or UCD confirm?

with Brendan Place going to UCD

[nigel-harps1954]

with Brendan Place going to UCD

Here ends UCDs stay in the Premier.

[ATFC-1887]

I for the life of me cannot understand why UCD are appointing Place. He is a rubbish manager. Was shocking with us and cant see him being any better with UCD in the Premier.

[outspoken]

I for the life of me cannot understand why UCD are appointing Place. He is a rubbish manager. Was shocking with us and cant see him being any better with UCD in the Premier.

He had a turn over of over 90 players during his short spell with athlone. He fell out with everyone and was a complete a/sehole. He was a big man for fining players for the smallest of things, won't last 10 minutes at UCD.

[DRDoc]

I for the life of me cannot understand why UCD are appointing Place. He is a rubbish manager. Was shocking with us and cant see him being any better with UCD in the Premier.

Very few clubs want managers anymore - they want coaches . . .

And in fairness Place is a very good coach it would seem

Athlone experience was a disaster for sure

[dundalkfc10]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy-VTWtSc1E&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dsy-VTWtSc1E&app=desktop

[Ezeikial]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy-VTWtSc1E&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dsy-VTWtSc1E&app=desktop

Class act.

He comes in on a media pass and hurls abuse at club volunteers

[White Horse]

Class act.

He comes in on a media pass and hurls abuse at club volunteers

Unbelievable, and to make it worse he gets a round of applause.

[MiniMourinho]

They were just a few like minded numpties. He was shamed out the gate later on! How he can be allowed to continue as Drogs correspondent I don't know. He is just as responsible as anyone for the apathy of Drogheda towards the club.

[White Horse]

Where would Drogheda United be without the current board?

Most clubs would not have survived the 2008 collapse. Then, within a couple of years, to get 2nd place, European football, a cup win, and several other final appearances. All done on a sustainable and modest budget.

What more could they have done?

[A face]

What more could they have done?

Kept Cooke in the role? Or at least make all reasonable attempts to do so, and if it falls down because of Cooke's involvement/stance then let it be known. It does scream 'personality clash' the way it was handled and there cant be any room for that at a professional club. If it was Cooke that was being unprofessional then let it be known, because Cooke has managed himself perfectly thus far.

[MiniMourinho]

If it was Cooke that was being unprofessional then let it be known, because Cooke has managed himself perfectly thus far.

Yes, he has managed himself in public and media perfectly so far. The reported reasons why he is not being retained are very serious for the club. I believe thats why for legal reasons the club has declined to make any comment at all.
You also cant have a personality clash between one person and an entire board. Its all a very sad ending to a successful period really.

[oriel]

Class act.

He comes in on a media pass and hurls abuse at club volunteers

Tremendous stuff, looks like he was locked out,

'go up and support Dundalk'

What a line......................

[Yossarian]

Tremendous stuff, looks like he was locked out,

'go up and support Dundalk'

What a line......................

He really is a fine example of professionalism for the local radio station.

[SeanDrog]

He really is a fine example of professionalism for the local radio station.

And people wonder why more people don't volunteer for clubs in Ireland .... I found the clip very depressing on so many levels :(

[SeanDrog]

And it makes a mockery of my signature :(

[Sam_Heggy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy-VTWtSc1E&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dsy-VTWtSc1E&app=desktop

That's the bell-end who claimed Harps were lucky to get a draw out of the cup game in Finn Park and reckoned Drogheda actually played attractive football. :loser:

[White Horse]

And people wonder why more people don't volunteer for clubs in Ireland .... I found the clip very depressing on so many levels :(

It's the "I am here on a free press pass and am entitled to belittle volunteers" attitude that really grates. You don't have to support Drogheda to find this offensive.

[SeanDrog]

It's the "I am here on a free press pass and am entitled to belittle volunteers" attitude that really grates. You don't have to support Drogheda to find this offensive.

I can't argue with that , a very valid point.

[dejadem]

That's the bell-end who claimed Harps were lucky to get a draw out of the cup game in Finn Park and reckoned Drogheda actually played attractive football. :loser:

He'd do anything to get a reaction. He's just a radio shock jock.
Same guy majorly slagged off the club, team & supporters in the particularly dark days of 09 & 10, now he's a super fan again.

[prince20]

with Brendan Place going to UCD

More chance of them hiring Brendan Grace. Only thing Place is fit for is a circus.