Bray statement

[pineapple stu]

According to this the FAI did get a guarantee.
"And you guarantee you'll put all the money in you say you will?"

"Oh I do yeah"

"Grand job; next item"

[Dove]

Roo69 is correct. O'Connors are the worst thing that happened to the club. He described himself as a hurler from Tipp, no interest in soccer.
How true that has proved.
Who put them there? Who was Denis O'Connor acting for? Was he not just proxy for another shareholder, former chairman? Who elected him Chairman. There are serious questions that remain to be answered.

[Trainee]

As per licensing clubs have to provide a guarantee if increasing budget by a huge amount. Cork & Limerick had to lodge money into club accounts (maybe Bray had to do same or just prove they had funds to cover losses). Nothing to stop owners withdrawing money after they lodge it or just to decide to pull out mid season so FAI & licensing committee need to luck as change rules of guarantees work so this can be avoided again

FAI could take Bray owners to court for breaking guarantee but this would be a long drawn out case & probably not in FAI or leagues interest so it very unlikely to happen.

[brendy_éire]

I don't see how Bray finish out the season without some kind of loan from honest John.

It's grand saying run the 19s etc but who's paying the 19s? Or the coaches? Or the physio? Or the doctor? Or the bus company? Or the meals? Or the insurance? Or the training facilities? Or the esb bill? And on and on it goes.


Agreed.

On the U19s, do they need to be paid? Nevermind that, it's unlikely that all (24, by my count) senior players will get offers from clubs, or at least offers they'll want to accept. As long as they remain at Bray, they're entitled to be paid.
I just don't see how they'll last the rest of the season without a whack of cash from somewhere.

[pineapple stu]

FAI could take Bray owners to court for breaking guarantee.
No they couldn't.

I guarantee it*.

* Guarantee has no legal ramifications or standing whatsoever.

[Bray Head]

Its in the FAI's interest to keep the club going to the end of the season otherwise the league becomes a farce with points coming off clubs. We've played everyone twice bar Cork so 2/3rd of league season completed. I'm sure some players will stay as not all will get offers.

[sbgawa]

To be fair to the players who would stay working if you weren't getting paid? If kenny leaves I'd say they will all walk. If he stays some of them who dnot get offers might hang around.

[gufct]

Players wont stay if there not getting paid. Limerick had to Lodge the money to an escrow Account I remember being disgusted at the Time.

[greywanderer]

Players wont stay if there not getting paid. Limerick had to Lodge the money to an escrow Account I remember being disgusted at the Time.

Conor kenna believes the vast majority of players want to stay in Bray. Hopefully a new investor can put up some wages..

[Lim till i die]

Man with pudding of a job in local hospital in wanting to also keep highly paid part time job shocker.

[ToberonaTornado]

/THREAD
/PROBLEM


The Football Association of Ireland today held talks with Bray Wanderers FC regarding the club's current situation.At the meeting, the FAI requested that the club clarify its position following comments and a statement made by the club chairman last week.
A number of key items were discussed during the meeting, including the commitments the club entered into during the Independent Club Licensing process.
The FAI will continue to monitor the situation and discussions are ongoing between the Association and club representatives.

http://sseairtricityleague.ie/news/fai-statement-on-bray-wanderers-fc/id-751

[Longfordian]

They're going to discuss them into submission.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I'm glad the FAI is monitoring the situation. It's a good thing they decided to do that, now.

In regards Bray's prospects with the u-19's playing, even if they got thumped every game from now to 33, would one of the current bottom 3 be able to make up the 16 points?

[pineapple stu]

13 points once you take the win against Bray into account.

Imagine getting relegated behind an u19 team though.

Truly we follow a fantastic league.

[pineapple stu]

They're going to discuss them into submission.

Come on, put more money in

- No

I'll be your friend!

- No

Aww, you're mean

http://www.duffzone.org/references/cape/cape-simp-11.jpg

[sbgawa]

They are headed for administration. Any one of the players or several can demand payment. The pfai will probably do it on their behalf. It would be shamefull if a precedent was set that a club could say flip off and get your self a new club to all their players with no consequences for brea king contracts. Asterix comING.

[sbgawa]

Only two to go down with Bray. Feel sotry for the supporters but they can come back.

[ger121]

Bray will still be here. Like cockroachs, they can survive anything. More chance of Delaney getting the boot than Bray going down.

[littlebray]

Bray will still be here. Like cockroachs, they can survive anything.

Seriously, though, it feels a little different this time ...

[bluewhitearmy]

So do people actually think they will see out the season?

[El-Pietro]

Only if the owners get their way and get to build on the Carlisle. Wait and see what "solutions" are put forward to save the club during the week.

[sbgawa]

So do people actually think they will see out the season?

Not a chance.

[White Horse]

According to reports, Denis O’Connor informed the PFAI yesterday that the club was merely open to offers for all squad members. Players are not free to join other clubs without a fee.

[bluewhitearmy]

According to reports, Denis O’Connor informed the PFAI yesterday that the club was merely open to offers for all squad members. Players are not free to join other clubs without a fee.

Gonna be just fantastic for players and their families now when their contracts are breached after the transfer window closes. Just let them go somewhere with whatever passes for stability in the league ffs.

[Bray Head]

If their contracts are breached outside of the transfer window do they become free agents and still able to transfer ?

[El-Pietro]

No. Once the window is closed they can't sign for other clubs. At least not in Ireland.

[ToberonaTornado]

Full meeting this evening apparently(board/management/players) oh to be a fly on the wall at that one.
good read this -
http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/bray-wanderers-boss-harry-kenny-10734714

[Seagull]

Denis O'Connor on East Coast FM this morning- keeps saying he'd happily walk away as he doesn't need the hassle (but funny enough he's still here). Says he'll have news on new investment in the next 24 hours. Says the players weren't released. He sounds very reasonable if you hadn't seen how he's behaved since arriving at the club, Jack O'Neill brought him in seemingly but he didn't seem sure about who elected him chairman. Mulvey closed the chequebook but he says this was flagged back in April so why wasn't something done then? https://soundcloud.com/ecfmmorningshow/denis-oconnor

[TonyD]

No. Once the window is closed they can't sign for other clubs. At least not in Ireland.

Can imagine there will be a lot of disgruntled players if Bray pay the wages until the window closes and then pull the plug.

[pineapple stu]

Another interview on East Coast FM - https://twitter.com/eastcoastfm/status/882190393386913792?s=09

[Ezeikial]

Another interview on East Coast FM - https://twitter.com/eastcoastfm/status/882190393386913792?s=09

That appears to be the same interview that Segull already linked to. Is there another interview?

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, missed that; sorry.

[Nesta99]

No. Once the window is closed they can't sign for other clubs. At least not in Ireland.

Really? Seems pointless then to rule them free agents after so many weeks wages are not payed. There sould be allowances made for players that are left in limbo like that to have the right to seek and sign for a club outside the transfer window considering the extenuating circumstances. Yes they could sign for an IL team I suppose but clubs would know they were pretty desperate and offer them buttons. Would have hard to be hard swallow considering the top contracts they were given by Bray to drop back to PT wages that are more like expenses.
The PFAI should develop an emergency fund that players in this situation can apply to for help too and not have to rely totally on dole. There is the angle that players should consider that if something is too good to be true then it probably is - 2 year 52 week contracts that are highly paid at a club that doesnt have good support etc should be handled with care. I know any club can get in to difficulty but if the Champions (after European group stage football) and the Champions Elect (with average gates of 4000+) are not dishing out 52 week contracts to everyone alarm bells should have gone off when signing for Bray.
Then you have the characters involved in running Bray withe their history and the coveting the Carlilse Ground to build on and everyone in LoI questioning when this is all going to implode - well id be inclined to opt for a 500 a week contract from a Cork City than 1500 a week at Bray suspecting that things will go bad before seasons out. Players on the level of McCabe, as dislikable as he is, must really feel duped as he is bound to have had options after leaving Rovers.

[Lim till i die]

Can imagine there will be a lot of disgruntled players if Bray pay the wages until the window closes and then pull the plug.

There's other ways league of Ireland players have traditionally made money if not being paid properly by their club.

[Roo69]

Denis O'Connor on East Coast FM this morning- keeps saying he'd happily walk away as he doesn't need the hassle (but funny enough he's still here). Says he'll have news on new investment in the next 24 hours. Says the players weren't released. He sounds very reasonable if you hadn't seen how he's behaved since arriving at the club, Jack O'Neill brought him in seemingly but he didn't seem sure about who elected him chairman. Mulvey closed the chequebook but he says this was flagged back in April so why wasn't something done then? https://soundcloud.com/ecfmmorningshow/denis-oconnor

From what i'm hearing Mulvey has stopped backing the club because of O'Connor - there relationship broke down a long time ago.

And that if someone else was in charge Mulvey would happily come back on board.

But as i said, that's just what i am hearing.

[Nesta99]

There's other ways league of Ireland players have traditionally made money if not being paid properly by their club.

What as groundsmen, barmen, clubroom cleaners, double contracts et al.

[WoodquayBoy]

id be inclined to opt for a 500 a week contract from a Cork City than 1500 a week at Bray suspecting that things will go bad before seasons out.
You'd be very silly from a monetary point of view: a €500x40 week contract is €20,000; if someone at Bray was on €1,500 a week, and wages stop next week, they'd still have been paid €37,500 (25 weeks) and still have the opportunity to find another club and so earn more money.

[Pablo Escobar]

You'd be very silly from a monetary point of view: a €500x40 week contract is €20,000; if someone at Bray was on €1,500 a week, and wages stop next week, they'd still have been paid €37,500 (25 weeks) and still have the opportunity to find another club and so earn more money.

Do they pay tax up there? :D

[Lim till i die]

What as groundsmen, barmen, clubroom cleaners, double contracts et al.

Professional gamblers...

[Martinho II]

Professional gamblers...

more like professional conmen OConnor and his cronies..why did he not stick to his hurling?

[Seagull]

From what i'm hearing Mulvey has stopped backing the club because of O'Connor - there relationship broke down a long time ago.

And that if someone else was in charge Mulvey would happily come back on board.

But as i said, that's just what i am hearing.

What's keeping O'Connor in Bray now? Why hasn't he walked away? As far as I can see he's invested nothing in the club, it's all other people's money.

[Nesta99]

You'd be very silly from a monetary point of view: a €500x40 week contract is €20,000; if someone at Bray was on €1,500 a week, and wages stop next week, they'd still have been paid €37,500 (25 weeks) and still have the opportunity to find another club and so earn more money.

You get what I am saying! If Shels offered 1500 a week and Shamrock Rovers offered 500 you have a good idea that things werent going to end well at Shels eh currently, and it would be a gamble on how long the contract would be honoured. Figures were exaggerated but the point remains that players should consider the security if there is such a thing rather than be completly blinded by dollar signs. But have €5k a week and work for me and give up your current job - what could possibly go wrong, i shall even do up a contract and you can bust yerself until I run out of cash and I tell you sorry go find a new job, but tell any prospective new employer that they must pay me so that you can go work for them, but i have got 1 weeks wages left!

[Dove]

O'Connor was very evasive on East Coast FM when asked how be became Chairman, and who voted him in. He avoided the question many times, and seemed to imply it just happened. He could not remember. As he rightly said it is the board who voted him, so could he not say it was Cox, Kelly and J O'Neill. What is he hiding.
He did not mention the McGettigan investment, and the falling out. So he fell out with McGettigan, and now Mulvey, who is the next brave punter he has lined up.
What needs to happen, very quickly is for the FAI to step in, and offer some protection in a holding capacity. Removed the O'Conner brothers, FORTHWITH, and seek a Supporters Co-Operative, and get some model on very successful German supporters owned trusts.
All the shareholders need to turn their shares into this Supporters Co-Op-Trust (call it what you like)
There can be NO going back.
I am 100% convinced that if BW was 100% owned by supporters and people of the community, then it would be a different matter.
O'Conner brothers have been divisive and let Denis have his wish.....'To walk away'

The town of Bray can recover, but only once O'Connor brothers are gone.
The Vision of the Future plan, announced last year air brushed Pat Devlin out completely.
That shows the O'Connor boys are totally out of touch.

Is there support for a Bray Supporters Owned Club, Trust, Co-Operative, or has O'Connor guys destroyed that.
As Edmund Burke said.......For evil to prosper, it needs good people to lie down.

[Philosophizer]

Oh how I'd love if the FAI implemented a rule like Germany where clubs must be at least 51% owned by fans...

[EatYerGreens]

I just can't see the FAI actively promoting supporter-ownership as a solution in the Bray situation, or any other.

The FAI is an organisation built on patronage, cronyism and unswerving devotion to its glorious leader. Supporter-owned clubs generally don't go in for any of that bullsh!t and aren't afraid to speak their mind on issues, so they would threaten how the FAI and Delaney do their business. Imagine if the majority of the league involved democratically owned and run clubs - there'd be a revolution overnight !

So if the FAI got involved in the Bray ownership question at all they'd be looking for some other 'investors' / mugs to put money in. And then Delaney would have the gratitude of Bray and that person/people to help entrench his position even further. It's the footballing equivalent of Tammany Hall, and it's rotten.

[pineapple stu]

Sure half the First Division teams don't have fans; not sure how that'd work.

Is there anyone in Bray ready to step in though? It's all very well for Dove to talk about a Supporters' Co-op above, is there the appetite for one? (Serious question)

[Jofspring]

Sure half the First Division teams don't have fans; not sure how that'd work.

Is there anyone in Bray ready to step in though? It's all very well for Dove to talk about a Supporters' Co-op above, is there the appetite for one? (Serious question)

Not only the appetite, these things take time to set up. If nothing is set up yet you would have to imagine they might have to leave the LOI for a season or two and come back in when everything is sorted.

[Kingdom]

Not only the appetite, these things take time to set up. If nothing is set up yet you would have to imagine they might have to leave the LOI for a season or two and come back in when everything is sorted.

If Bray folded, and went into hiatus for a couple of years, would the support be there for a return?

[pineapple stu]

Suppose the other thing is that two years ago, wages weren't being paid, the club was on the brink of going under and no trust arose.

Not necessarily a criticism of Bray as such; there's a few small clubs who couldn't muster a trust if it came to it (including UCD obviously)

[Partizan]

Suppose the other thing is that two years ago, wages weren't being paid, the club was on the brink of going under and no trust arose.

Not necessarily a criticism of Bray as such; there's a few small clubs who couldn't muster a trust if it came to it (including UCD obviously)

You could sell your bodhran.