Bray statement

[KrisLetang]

Do donkeys ever issue Bray statements?

[pineapple stu]

Shamelessly robbed from boards.ie - Kerala Evergreen are a brand new club, formed nine days ago and set to enter the Indian Second Division.

This is their crest -

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/EVERGREEN.jpg

Now we know how Bray plan to pay next month's wages anyway...

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4f/Bray_Wanderers_F.C._crest.png

[jinxy lilywhite]

If a 3D image of this world class football academy appears ... that's the time to really get worried.

One was made and destroyed when shown to the chairman. He raged "how can we expect a world class centre of excellence if it's too small for them, ohhhh"

[wonder88]

Surprise Wicklow County Council would reply to a statement like that. You would think they might have other issues that the public(who they are employed to serve) would like sorted rather than this. Is there even a hint there that they are really to play ball in this great property play game?

[Longfordian]

I would expect they were being hounded for a reaction given the attention the statement got.

[greywanderer]

What about the new investors, is there actually new investors or has Gerry taken full control of the club. Would new investors (if any) be happy with today's announcement as these new people would have probably been local investors.
I don't believe that new people have actually come on board.

[littlebray]

Shamelessly robbed from boards.ie - Kerala Evergreen are a brand new club, formed nine days ago and set to enter the Indian Second Division.

This is their crest -

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/EVERGREEN.jpg

Now we know how Bray plan to pay next month's wages anyway...

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4f/Bray_Wanderers_F.C._crest.png

You couldn't make it up. Well, you could, but no-one would believe it.

And of course today just happens to be "The Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War" in North Korea. How's that for coincidence?

[TonyD]

Ray Houghton....? and he never even played for Celtic

That's the least outrageous claim in the statement to be fair.

[colonelwest]

It's like a coked up 80s Ultimate Warrior promo from the WWF, abolutely bat**** insane stuff!

[blueblood]

It's all right relax the Vodafone Comedy Festival started today so obviously someone lost his script

[ger121]

Didn't see this statement until this evening and to be honest with you, I'm still waiting for a follow up statement to say they got hacked and it was a joke. Either way, it is a joke!

[ToberonaTornado]

Shamelessly robbed from boards.ie - Kerala Evergreen are a brand new club, formed nine days ago and set to enter the Indian Second Division.

This is their crest -

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/EVERGREEN.jpg

Now we know how Bray plan to pay next month's wages anyway...

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4f/Bray_Wanderers_F.C._crest.png
It's been a crazy day.It's just got crazier.

[QUOTE]Indian club apologise to Bray Wanderers over similar logo

https://www.buzz.ie/football/indian-club-apologise-to-bray-wanderers-over-similar-logo-247548

[Dove]

Mulvey and O'Connor only ever wanted the Carlisle Grounds, if the club stays in their hands it is finished.

Did O'Connor admit on East Coast FM that it was Philip Hannigan, that he knew, invited him to Bray, where he went on to act as Proxy for Philip Hannigan?
Does Mr Hannigan now see this as an error of judgement?

Was there talk some time ago that O'Connor would not listen to other shareholders who had suugested plans to develop the Carlilse Grounds as an enhnaced football facility?
Perhaps this crazy statement exposes the true intentions all along.
Football stadium and academy have 2 different needs. These guys have done absolutely no work or research on the subject.
They have not consulted players, supporters or people that know about this..

They have totally insulted Wicklow CC in the process, and taken the name of Bray Wanderers down yet again.
They are a total disgrace, propped up with support from Mr Gavin and the FAI.

Anyway, if I am correct, as the Carlisle is owned by Bray/Wicklow CC, they can not be handed over to O'Connor/Mulvey in a land swap, under EU law they must go out to EU Journal tender. Can WCC members confirm this?

''At a football club, there's a holy trinity-the players, the manager and the supporters.
Directors don't come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques.'' Bill Shankly

Clearly these directors have lost the plot, and should stick to their only role/function and forget the land grab. Kim Jong Fil has a lot to answer for.

[littlebray]

It's been a crazy day.It's just got crazier.
Indian club apologise to Bray Wanderers over similar logo
https://www.buzz.ie/football/indian-club-apologise-to-bray-wanderers-over-similar-logo-247548

Keep up at the back, there ...
(See posts #301, #306)

And watch out for the conspiracy theorists. Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean no-one is out to get them.

[pineapple stu]

In fairness, that Kerala are apologising to Bray is a new development

[osarusan]

Some fella in India decided to nick a crest, and figured there is no way that the paths of a LOI club and and Indian club would ever cross...then Bray go batsh!t crazy.

Tbf the crests look like something that is put together by selecting options to add to a template.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I'm trying to explain this saga to friends abroad, is there a succinct-ish summary anywhere that goes over the whole thing?

[Seagull]

Did O'Connor admit on East Coast FM that it was Philip Hannigan, that he knew, invited him to Bray, where he went on to act as Proxy for Philip Hannigan?
Does Mr Hannigan now see this as an error of judgement?

He said Jack O'Neill invited him to get involved at Bray. Jack was general manager at the time and Hannigan was chairman. O'Connor didn't really answer the question as to who appointed him chairman- he said the board but not what board and who are the members of that board.

[sullanefc]

I'd say the owners in Athlone are delighted with developments in Bray.

[Neish]

Read it yesterday and at first thought it was a hack by the Waterford Whispers but the complete lack of a retraction or apology show it must be and actual statement and how can the board of a so called professional club support such a statement? And how is a statement like that meant to attract local business or any business to invest in or support the club ? Crazy stuff

I feel for the genuine Bray Wanderers fans but have zero respect for any club that support such a statement

[The Donie Forde]

From experience, there is nothing worse for a club and its fans than when clowns get their hands on the controls.
I've dealt with some really, really sound lads at Bray over the years and they have all my sympathy at the moment.
No club deserves this.

[El-Pietro]

I'm trying to explain this saga to friends abroad, is there a succinct-ish summary anywhere that goes over the whole thing?

The oowners want the land for hotels/apartments. Everything else is just window dressing.

[sbgawa]

If Harry Kenny can get the players up for their match against Finn Harps he should get the Ireland Job

[Philosophizer]

The oowners want the land for hotels/apartments. Everything else is just window dressing.

Nailed it!

[Mr A]

I am not making this up. I swear it. This is real.


In 1916 some brave Irish Men and Women stood up for the cause of Irish Freedom as they were tired of the oppression being suffered by the Irish People at the hands of the British army. They stood up for what they believed in and ,in doing so, they were initially ridiculed, taunted and laughed at by the very people for whom they were giving their lives to protect.

Yesterday we issued a statement that has drawn publicity from the Irish, United Kingdom, European, American and Asian Media. No football Club in Ireland has ever had so much publicity.

We have been laughed at for working tirelessly and giving hard earned money towards a cause that we believe to be far greater than just our Club Bray Wanderers. Our project is about Wicklow Sport and Soccer.

Rightly so we referred to previous social commentary comparing Wicklow to North Korea as regards business where it is an impossible place to do business or succeed. Anyone who tries to succeed is shot down. The garden of Ireland has a terrible record of generating real business against it's potential. Only last week Johnny Ronan was shot down for trying to build a hotel. People are afraid to spend their money on a planning application in Wicklow for anything as it's feared it's a waste of money. If Johnny Ronan can't get planning, who else will bother spending the millions to get a failed outcome from the Council. Businesses refuse to look at Wicklow for investment as they know how difficult a place it is to operate. The negativity emanating from Council decisions has created is, without doubt, the worst in Ireland. North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un, with the best propaganda machine, couldn't undo the sheer negative connotation associated with Wicklow for business.

When talking about business take Bray. It's a commuter town with little or no core businesses to drive the economy independently, Greystones is similar but progressing more and as you get further down the county it gets worse until you get to Arklow. Talk about neglecting a town. Then you cross the border into Wexford and Gorey is booming, new homes being built, thriving shopping streets and economy. And it continues like that the whole way through Wexford.

What TD or Councillors have made a significant impact on Wicklow like the late Jackie Healy Rae did for Kerry, which allows them to say they made a significant difference. Dick Roche, when Minister for the Environment, let the money to build the final stretch of the N.11 be allocated to Waterford instead of his own constituency. What have our TDs done for Wicklow which allows them go to bed at night or face their constituents and say" yes I did that, that is my achievement and I am proud of it". The people of Wicklow would rather have 5 Jackie Healy Raes who will sell the Wicklow votes to the highest bidding party so long as they get their fair share of the Government spoils for Wicklow once and for all. That includes a sewage treatment plant in Arklow, a proper allocation of investment In tourism generation in Wicklow, a proper guarantee that some of the IDA jobs will go to Wicklow(as Enda Kenny took to Mayo) ,the extension of the Dart line to Wicklow Town,The Luas to Bray, extra Garda services to combat crime, investment in all the schools in Wicklow and real money to deal with the housing crisis in Wicklow. Finally some real investment in Wicklow sport. There is so much more neglect in Wicklow that needs addressing.

The people in Wicklow are tired of being neglected and if they had 5 Jackie Healy Raes who would finally get them some real results, I think the current establishment would realise their cushy numbers would not be so cushy.

Going forward we are going to invite the current members & technical staff of Wicklow County Council with elected representatives over the next few months to visit with us a Training Academy in the UK -specifically a trip to St George's in England to understand how they have now turned a corner in producing good players again. We saw this year that iniative bearing fruit in their underage teams winning top tournaments. With that knowledge we are going to design the best in class facilities. An amateur sport as in the GAA developed Croke Park to be one of the best Stadiums in the World - why can't Wicklow have the ambition to develop a world class academy? Although St George's cost £105m for the UK national team that is for the whole of the English setup. We are not claiming to spend that much but our ambition will be to have a substantial spend relative to the size of Bray and Wicklow's demands.

Because we have been reading cynical commentary should we just stop? Should the martyrs of 1916 have laid down their arms in first few hours of the revolution when they were being laughed at, just gave up and left Ireland under the control of the British?

We are being accused of being money grabbers. If anyone cared to read our statement we have been clear. We are going to hand the facility over to a Trust in favour of the people of Wicklow for the development of Football and other sports.

Some Council members have immediately shot down our proposals and would rather leave Wicklow sport in the same way they have left Arklow with no sewage treatment plant. In summer the smell and sight from the river is disgusting. That is what Council want Wicklow football to resemble -the excrement and disgusting state of the river in Arklow. That is an environment which the people of Arklow have campaigned for decades to see solved.

We do not have accept it anymore. We will develop this facility and put in place a long term plan to deal with the long term financial future for the development of the club, collective Wicklow teams and maybe wider afield in Ireland.

We have taken a very unorthodox approach to bring this forward, but are we now the most talked about topic in Irish Football. Have we not achieved publicity never felt by an Irish League of Ireland team before? There are doubters to our plans but, rest assured, we are going to give the Club over to the Trust to be owned by the people of Wicklow as part of the construction of the new facilities. We would ideally do that now and not have this grief we are enduring, keeping our hard earned money, but if we did it now the club would fold financially within days and there would be no club and no potential centre of excellence.

Imagine if people just supported what we are doing, helped get this academy built as a centre of excellence modelled on St George's, imagine how good they will feel, imagine rather than having a negative outlook, they had a positive outlook, imagine if they weighed in with us, get this goal achieved, imagine how proud and good you would feel. Imagine being a politician in Wicklow and saying, "yes we did that, we created something great, something unique".

Bray Wanderers FC

[Mr A]

I'm not sure I believe me either, but it's out there on the web and was issued from Bray Wanderers.

[littlebray]

I'm not sure I believe me either, but it's out there on the web and was issued from Bray Wanderers.

I can't find it - where did you get it?

Not that I'm doubting you, just want to see how they handled it.

[pineapple stu]

Bit in the Indo (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/1916-martyrs-kim-jongun-propaganda-machines-and-jackie-healyrae-bray-wanderers-release-second-statement-35977255.html) about it anyway - I presume it was a mail shot?

[Eminence Grise]

I think somebody in a blazer might be well advised to look up the rule book for the bit about bringing the game into disrepute.


{Edit}

I'm sure they'd threaten it quick enough if someone from a club asked a question at the AGM or criticised Delaney.

[colonelwest]

Severe touch of the Walter Mittys and Tom Coughlans about this lunatic. He was ran out of Pats before as well when he tried the same rubbish he's doing now at Bray to build on the land. I honestly don't know what way is worse, this public lunacy or the likes of the O'Connors/ the Athlone crowd hanging in the background secretly pulling the strings.

The dog in the street knew well going back to when O'Connor screwed McGettigans to hop in bed with this chancer what would happen here. This has Bray Wanderers FOWAS Co-Op written all over it.

Meanwhile Fran Gavin next week:

"I have met the new chairman and the O'Connors at Bray and they are quite ambitious. We’ve never experienced this kind of lunacy at a club where they’re bringing TD's, 1916, North Korea and so on into it. You wonder about their motivation, so that’s something we’ve to look at very carefully.Bray will have a nice stadium and better facilities than Man Utd, Barca and Real Madrid, sure the lads told me so so it'll be grand like. We would like to see the project being a success but we need to wait and see. It is important to make sure the deeds of the land the council own are going in the right direction at no cost to the lads in Bray there so they can build those flats and make a few bob. Bray can move into Harolds Cross or Morton stadium for a few years, be grand.”

[sbgawa]

Brays next statement will have to include a bit about Donald Trump...HOW has he managed to avoid a mention so far.
I know I said the guy writing this must be drunk but it turns out its a two day bender..at least

[Longfordian]

"No Irish club has ever had so much publicity"

I reckon Athlone have had more publicity this season alone and I don't think they're thankful for it.

[pineapple stu]

Bray match preview on extratime is good

http://www.extratime.ie/articles/19462/league-preview-bray-wanderers--v--finn-harps/

[Straightstory]

Crazy stuff.
The first paragraph about 1916 was enough to put me off...

[Peaky Blinder]

Just goes to show not all publicity is good, despite protestation to the opposite!! It begs the question, is this a strategy to actually get the FAI to sanction them giving them an 'out' of sorts?

[pineapple stu]

Bray turn down a bid from Shamrock Rovers for Aaron Greene (http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/bray-wanderers-reject-cash-offer-10885867).

That's interesting...

[sbgawa]

ive just put a few more pound on harps tonight

[sbgawa]

Bray turn down a bid from Shamrock Rovers for Aaron Greene (http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/bray-wanderers-reject-cash-offer-10885867).

That's interesting...

these guys get most things right, the players that have enquiries about them must be tearing their hair out

[NeverFeltBetter]

The level of delusion in that missive is amazing. I said it before, but it bears repeating: a drunken election manifesto. It reads like the scrap of paper the no-hoper independent shoves in your door.

I mean, they're acting like they own everything entirely, and the Council is just withholding a rubber stamp. What do they think is going to happen? The next locals aren't until 2019.

[ger121]

For all their madness in the statement and it is madness, there are some valid points about Wicklow County Council. They are an absolute nightmare to deal with. I went through the planning permission process with them, you'd swear we were looking for permission to take their first born. I could be mistaken on the details but when submissions for the NDP were requested by local CCs, they didn't bother submitting anything regarding the need to upgrade the N11. They really don't have any strategic plan for the County at all.

[Dove]

He said Jack O'Neill invited him to get involved at Bray. Jack was general manager at the time and Hannigan was chairman. O'Connor didn't really answer the question as to who appointed him chairman- he said the board but not what board and who are the members of that board.


Yes O'Connor was evasive on this. When asked 'who appoints the chairman' he was frank, the board he said. So, he does not know who the board was? Why does he not admit it..........the board consisted of Kelly, Cox, O'Neill and O'Connor (perhaps, but not sure about Hannigan at the time)
As someone else stated, they had shafted the McGettigan at this stage.
Usually when you are appointed to the important role as chairman in any company there is a procedure, the stepping down of the previous, and the electing of the new chairman and it is recorded by the company secretary, and who was nominated. O'Connor must have put his name forward for chairman.
O'Connor gives the impression he got out of bed one morning and unknown to himself finds he is chairman of Bray Wanderers .

In the light of the statements over the past 24 hours, perhaps it is not surprising.
Bizarre.

[Seagull]

For all their madness in the statement and it is madness, there are some valid points about Wicklow County Council. They are an absolute nightmare to deal with. I went through the planning permission process with them, you'd swear we were looking for permission to take their first born. I could be mistaken on the details but when submissions for the NDP were requested by local CCs, they didn't bother submitting anything regarding the need to upgrade the N11. They really don't have any strategic plan for the County at all.

Funny they should bring Johnny Ronan up in this statement. He was refused permission for a colossal 'sports' hotel in Enniskerry which is poorly served by infrastructure at the moment. I'd say Johnny could throw a hotel up on the Carlisle Grounds no bother so the plot thickens.

[pineapple stu]

Bray hardly needs another hotel surely?

[Doom]

Ah good old lunacy

[ToberonaTornado]

https://twitter.com/dvehendo/status/891001821199818752

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DF15aWIWsAIJImT.jpg

[KR's Post]

Ah there I am!!!!

[Guitd]

Joke of a club
Should be sanctioned by fai if every club bought players they can't afford and when safe decide to do what thay have done and make a joke of the league

[sulywaterfordfc]

Joke of a club
Should be sanctioned by fai if every club bought players they can't afford and when safe decide to do what thay have done and make a joke of the league

In all fairness nearly all clubs have done this at one stage or another over the years, or in some cases numerous occasions

[nigel-harps1954]

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375833_623825767825707_4553213901629260452_n.jpg ?oh=8e9534e809355a905344c630a99d813a&oe=59F2BCCD

[sbgawa]

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375833_623825767825707_4553213901629260452_n.jpg ?oh=8e9534e809355a905344c630a99d813a&oe=59F2BCCD

Taking a chance right there on the dmz