Galway Uts taken over by Salthill Devons

[dcfcsteve]

There's a story/press release on Soccercentral about a strategic review of Galway Utd having lead to a take-over by Salthill.

Not sure what the Galway fans on here make of this ? Assuming it was done in a positive/harmonious way, it could be the start of a good Academy-type structure for the Tribesmen...

http://www.soccercentral.ie/viewstory.asp?id=14350&mainheading=Eircom&viewstory=yes

[gufcfan]

The Board of Galway United has undertaken a strategic review of the way forward for the Club and the review concluded that to be successful the Club would need an enhanced structure both in operational and infrastructural resources.

Positive developments over the last number of years have included:

Stabilising the day to day operations
Attaining the FAI/UEFA Licence
Attracting key sponsors
Creating harmony among stakeholders
While the objective of stabilising the Club has been achieved there still remain significant challenges operationally and financially.

Since the current Board took over in 2001 it has worked closely with Salthill Devon and given the structure of that organisation and it’s achievements to date, it was the logical choice to evaluate integrating the two Clubs.

Accordingly, negotiations were entered into by the two entities and agreement has been reached whereby Salthill Devon has assumed ownership and operational control of Galway United with immediate effect.

This arrangement should help to guarantee National League Football for the Western Capital into the future. Furthermore it places the new entity in a unique position to develop a soccer Club along the lines of the best development Clubs in Europe.

In the coming weeks an interim executive for Galway United will be appointed. Thereafter a new Board of Directors will be constituted made up of people many of whom served on the old Galway United Board, members of Salthill Devon plus a number of new members who will add weight and energy to the project.

A process of consultation with all interested parties will be embarked upon whereby future plans will be communicated and feedback assessed.

The Chairman of Galway United confirmed this development and stated that this was a major positive development which would not alone secure the future of the Club, but enhance its potential given the calibre and energy of those getting involved.

On behalf of the Directors of the Club, he also wished to thank all of those involved in the Club at all levels, players, staff, executives, supporters and sponsors and all those who supported the Club in any way for their help in stabilising the Club and securing its future.





WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?

[Patrick Dunne]

.. for GUFC fans. There are elements in Salthill who would favour this. Salthill
are not your average junior oufit. Their training facilities are the bext I have seen in Ireland, and presumably are better than many League sides in the UK.
GUFC will continue to train there.

They are in favour of the European model - breaking the club into two sections. This links in with the FAI Development plan. The club structure woud accomodate everyone from U-9s to elite athletes.

Success on the field will not be a major prerogative as the Salthill boys consider lashing out thousands of euro per week so you can be hammered 6-2 at home by Kildare a complete waste. I agree with them on this, but the down side is that we will not be attracting any big names to Galway. Or even small names.

The major problem is the clubs name. We have 700 season ticket holders, 200 trust members, club stewards, media people, lottery team, website team, club volunteers plus thousands from the West, all over Ireland, Europe and the world who have supported the grand old club over the past 27 years. We are not prepared to through our proud tradition and heritage away in one fell swoop.

Come on United !

[Patrick Dunne]

.. there have been discussions at board level about this over the pat few weeks. The decision was rubber-stamped last week.

There was no consultation directly with the supporters, either through the trust or through individuals. The Trust were contributing E2,000 per month to the club - this is now immediately being frozen, pending developments. The next stage is a consultation process.

I will keep people informed through this site of any news.

[Coltron]

Have to agree with the above the facilities that they have are top notch. Absolutly superb. I know that you guys have an attachment to GUFC but look back to ManU when they were Newton Heath. Its the same club the name is irrelevant.

[Patrick Dunne]

.. between Drogheda United and Dundalk to form Louth County, I take it,
would not meet with any objections, from you so.

Or indeed a merger between Drogheda and Dundalk to form Dundalk :)

[CollegeTillIDie]

.. between Drogheda United and Dundalk to form Louth County, I take it,
would not meet with any objections, from you so.

Or indeed a merger between Drogheda and Dundalk to form Dundalk :)

Or what about a merger between Finn Harps and Derry City to form NE DOnegal United?

Or Cork City and Cobh to form Cork Ramblers?

or Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians to form Bohemian Rovers? :D

[Poor Student]

Or what about a merger between Finn Harps and Derry City to form NE DOnegal United?

Or Cork City and Cobh to form Cork Ramblers?

or Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians to form Bohemian Rovers? :D

Or UCD and DCU to go to UCDDCU, we'd be the only palindrome club :D

[dcfcsteve]

Have to agree with the above the facilities that they have are top notch. Absolutly superb. I know that you guys have an attachment to GUFC but look back to ManU when they were Newton Heath. Its the same club the name is irrelevant.

The change from Newton Heath (like, where the feck is that....?) to Manchester United was a blinding idea in hindsight. Would Real Madrid be where they are now if they had named themselves after an obscure suburb of Spain's capital? I doubt it.....

Changing from an instantly recognisable name like 'Galway United' to 'Salthill Devon' (what the feck is a Devon anyway...?) is the complete reverse, and not a good idea in terms of building a footballing 'brand' that supporters, prospective players, the media and sponsors can understand, relate to, and buy-into.

[Éanna]

Would Real Madrid be where they are now if they had named themselves after an obscure suburb of Spain's capital?
what like Rayo Vallecano? (from vallecas) the team of the working classes.

btw, Real's original name was Madrid Foot-Ball Club. Just doesn't sound the same, does it :)

[CollegeTillIDie]

Or UCD and DCU to go to UCDDCU, we'd be the only palindrome club :D


Works for me :D

[CollegeTillIDie]

While we are at it .... St Pat's and Bray to form either Bray Athletic of St Patrick's Wanderers?

And finally Shelbourne and Dublin City to form Dubborne .... :D

[SÓC]

Or how about St. Pats and St. Francis....oh....

[Poor Student]

Or how about St. Pats and St. Francis....oh....

A fair deal, St. Francis will keep the Saint part and St. Patricks will keep the Patrick part :D

[yur man]

how about Salty Galway?

[galwaygirl]

how about Salty Galway?
ok, enough of the p1ss-pulling :(

[noby]

A fair deal, St. Francis will keep the Saint part and St. Patricks will keep the Patrick part :D


Didn't Man. Utd propose a merger with Man. City some years back. Their idea was to call the newly mergered club..."Manchester United", cos they're both from Manchester, and they would be 'united'. City said no.