New owners at dundalk

[ciaraa]

I can't wait to hear about the plans to build a massive all seater stadium with hotels etc. We've never heard that before...

It will be different this time - there will be a stadium, hotel, leisure centre and maybe a few houses / apartments as well built on the edge of town on a greenfield site with a bus on matchdays to bring the fans to and from the stadium.

[El-Pietro]

I should say I'm not suggesting that peak6 aren't genuine. I have no idea what their intentions are, its just that we've been through this before time and time again at about half the clubs in the country and it very rarely works out well. Maybe this time will be the time its different but I'm skeptical. HOPEFULLY there are enough Dundalk fans who share my skepticism and are starting to organise themselves to pick up the pieces in 9 months, or two years or whenever in case they are needed.
Theres every possibility that this works out well, and doesn't require European success, or for kids to be farmed off to England, and a trust may never be needed, but its much more likely given the history of the league of Ireland that at some point down the road Dundalk will be left in debt with players they can't pay.

Please reach out to Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Cork City, anyone who has a members organisation in place and find out what you need to do to get set up effectively. It can't be done overnight but my club will help you if you ask for it. FORAS have helped several clubs get trusts set up in the past. If Dundalk fans don't take the opportunity to organise themselves now, please don't come around with buckets looking for donations in a year or two.

[derm]

There still seems to be a lot of confusion over who owns Dundalk. Extratime and even the Irish Times are reporting that PEAK6 has bought the club, but going by reports up to now and the statement released by the club, it seems that an American consortium backed by Peak6 has bought the club.

This would make more sense. Venture capital firms invest in startups or companies that are about to go into an expansion phase. It seems to me that the consortium believe that Dundalk qualifies for the expansion phase and Peak6 are providing the investment.

Peak6 will have people on the board to oversee their investment and will provide all assistance they can to see their investment succeed. But VC firms make their money by cashing in on their investments. They typically look for 3 to 5 times what they invested. It looks to me that the plan is to build Dundalk up so that it can be sold on, either to the other members of the consortium or to new owners. VCs rarely stay for the long haul but no one can know how long Peak6 will stay before looking for their money.

[White Horse]

The vast majority of fans of other clubs want the American takeover of Dundalk to fail. A quick look at the posts on this thread confirms this.

There is no surprise in this as parochial concerns outweigh everything else.

[Ezeikial]

but the use of obtuse as an insult made me laugh.

It was not intended as an insult

[Ezeikial]

Theres every possibility that this works out well, and doesn't require European success, or for kids to be farmed off to England, and a trust may never be needed, but its much more likely given the history of the league of Ireland that at some point down the road Dundalk will be left in debt with players they can't pay.

Please reach out to Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Cork City, anyone who has a members organisation in place and find out what you need to do to get set up effectively. It can't be done overnight but my club will help you if you ask for it. FORAS have helped several clubs get trusts set up in the past. If Dundalk fans don't take the opportunity to organise themselves now, please don't come around with buckets looking for donations in a year or two.

Dire warning noted.

9 months to Armageddon, or maybe 1 or 2 years before the bucket collections and bag packing?

As a regular lurker and occasional poster on orielweb you will be aware that among Dundalk supporters there is a mixture of caution, fear, giddy optimism and a 'lets wait and see' attitude.

Thanks for the FORAS help offer - can you send up Mark McNulty as the head of delegation please?

[Ezeikial]

Credit to Mairt on Twitter - too good not to share!

Beleave

https://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2642&stc=1

[EatYerGreens]

The vast majority of fans of other clubs want the American takeover of Dundalk to fail. A quick look at the posts on this thread confirms this.

There is no surprise in this as parochial concerns outweigh everything else.

Yaaaaawn.

I don't think LOI fans want any club to fail tbh. Confusing that with genuine, obvious concerns probably says more about you than the fans of other clubs on here to be honest.

[disgruntled]

The vast majority of fans of other clubs want the American takeover of Dundalk to fail. A quick look at the posts on this thread confirms this.

There is no surprise in this as parochial concerns outweigh everything else.

I certainly don't want Dundalk or any other League of Ireland club to fail but if you want to bury your head in the sand then be my guest.
Some of us have been around a long time & we've seen this before.
We've learned to recognise the signs.

All people are saying is have a back up plan ready.

Good luck with Mal Brannigan as your new CEO / MD.
All I would say is good luck with the venture but be prepared in the event that it doesn't work out.

[osarusan]

Yaaaaawn.

I don't think LOI fans want any club to fail tbh.
I have no problem with Dundalk failing to be successful and all that, in fact I hope it happens. I'd be happy if they brought in a few big signings that didn't work out at all for them. I'd feel the same about every other club too.

I don't want them to fail to the point that they are massively in debt though. I don't want that for any other club either.

[pineapple stu]

I'd just like to point out that the first match in the Similar Threads below this thread is a 2014 thread entitled "Bray Wanderers set for new owners"

[colonelwest]

Cliff notes:

Peak6 backed the consortium of investors with capital, some of the consortium are members/ employed by Peak6 along with others not associated with Peak6, but Peak6 themselves basically put some of the money up along with the individuals in the consortium.
New owners due over end of the month
Martin Connolly staying on in some capacity
2/3 signings still to come this window
Business as usual on the football side of things for SK
Nothing definitive on ground developments but that's to be expected, not going to bulldoze the place and build in a day, despite how some seem to think how the world works.

and most importantly:

The Casey family still have the lease on the land/ ground, that didn't go to the new owners, so no matter if it goes fantastically well or belly up, the lease is still held in trust for football in the town.

[Nesta99]

I should say I'm not suggesting that peak6 aren't genuine. I have no idea what their intentions are, its just that we've been through this before time and time again at about half the clubs in the country and it very rarely works out well. Maybe this time will be the time its different but I'm skeptical. HOPEFULLY there are enough Dundalk fans who share my skepticism and are starting to organise themselves to pick up the pieces in 9 months, or two years or whenever in case they are needed.
Theres every possibility that this works out well, and doesn't require European success, or for kids to be farmed off to England, and a trust may never be needed, but its much more likely given the history of the league of Ireland that at some point down the road Dundalk will be left in debt with players they can't pay.

Please reach out to Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Cork City, anyone who has a members organisation in place and find out what you need to do to get set up effectively. It can't be done overnight but my club will help you if you ask for it. FORAS have helped several clubs get trusts set up in the past. If Dundalk fans don't take the opportunity to organise themselves now, please don't come around with buckets looking for donations in a year or two.

We have had to battle an owner that was intent on folding the club rather than selling before. The whole Trust thing was done and was successful, in conjunction with former owners, to buy the club. While the Trust fell out of use in recent years the people involved, their skills and structures etc needed are there and can be reformed quickly and with the previous experience that that people are saying may be needed again one day.

[sbgawa]

I think people are being silly comparing Peak6 to previous investors in LOI . Peak6 are Billionaires and can afford to lose a few pounds without worrying about it if they don't have initial success.
The likelihood is that this will work out well for Dundalk and the signings coming in now won't be penny pinching and will improve the team.
If they are prepared to shell out big bucks on a new CEO they are hardly going to worry about an extra 200 a week for a player.

I also think it might encourage more investment in the league in other clubs as other investors will look at what peak6 are doing and think "well these guys aren't ejits".

The difference in gate receipts between Cabinteely and Dundalk (league games) is probably less than 400k per year......any club with the right investment to assemble a squad offers the same basic opportunity for a new investor.........

[ToberonaTornado]

The owner of Oriel,Des Casey and then the operations manager of the club,Martin Connolly on local radio today.


https://www.lmfm.ie/on-air/shows/late-lunch/late-lunch-podcasts-(1)/late-lunch-friday-january-19th-2018/

[Nesta99]

I think people are being silly comparing Peak6 to previous investors in LOI . Peak6 are Billionaires and can afford to lose a few pounds without worrying about it if they don't have initial success.
The likelihood is that this will work out well for Dundalk and the signings coming in now won't be penny pinching and will improve the team.
If they are prepared to shell out big bucks on a new CEO they are hardly going to worry about an extra 200 a week for a player.

I also think it might encourage more investment in the league in other clubs as other investors will look at what peak6 are doing and think "well these guys aren't ejits".

The difference in gate receipts between Cabinteely and Dundalk (league games) is probably less than 400k per year......any club with the right investment to assemble a squad offers the same basic opportunity for a new investor.........

Which is what I was getting at including the FAI having to take notice. Albeit with stu's scoffing at the ossibility, the FAI are nothing if not money obsessed and investment in clubs could lead to revenue for them. This takeover at Dundalk might just be the breaking of new ground - its every bit as likely as a repeat of Arkaga.

[Nesta99]

https://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2018/january/takeover-at-dundalk-fc-a-sign-of-new-investment-strategy-in-football-says-expert/

[Charlie Darwin]

Which is what I was getting at including the FAI having to take notice. Albeit with stu's scoffing at the ossibility, the FAI are nothing if not money obsessed and investment in clubs could lead to revenue for them.
I suppose they could increase the affiliation fees for clubs with billionaire backers.

[ToberonaTornado]

There's a few about alright.
Half billionaires anyways :D

https://fora.ie/derry-city-fc-philip-odoherty-3781884-Jan2018/?utm_

[Longfordian]

I suppose they could increase the affiliation fees for clubs with billionaire backers.

FAI Supreme Leader John Delaney had this message

“Research has shown that the average wealth of club owners has increased dramatically in the past year and this, coupled with the country’s rapid economic growth means that this is the ideal time to establish a fund to protect Irish football.

Though this will initially mean an increase in League of Ireland affiliation fees we are sure that all members of the League of Ireland community will work with us as we safeguard the future of football in our country”

[micls]

I think people are being silly comparing Peak6 to previous investors in LOI . Peak6 are Billionaires and can afford to lose a few pounds without worrying about it if they don't have initial success.
The likelihood is that this will work out well for Dundalk and the signings coming in now won't be penny pinching and will improve the team.
If they are prepared to shell out big bucks on a new CEO they are hardly going to worry about an extra 200 a week for a player.

I also think it might encourage more investment in the league in other clubs as other investors will look at what peak6 are doing and think "well these guys aren't ejits".

The difference in gate receipts between Cabinteely and Dundalk (league games) is probably less than 400k per year......any club with the right investment to assemble a squad offers the same basic opportunity for a new investor.........


Arkaga we're willing to shell out big bucks on players too, absolutely huge bucks compared to what our current players are on. And big money for the CEO. Didn't stop them from running for the hills the minute things didn't go their way.

Successful financial companies don't stay successful by throwing money at investments that don't pay off. They're looking for a return, and they'll only get it through European success. If Dundalk don't win the league or go far in Europe they won't be long making changes to try to make it happen, or pulling out.

These are not benevolent investors. They're in it for the profit. Personally, I don't think there's long term profit in an LOI team. Maybe these lads can triple their investment and sell on, who knows. I don't see why there'd be much optimism for it to succeed in the long term though. Based on past evidence.

But, dundalk fans may enjoy some good years because of them, and if they have their trust ready to step in as needed, they don't have a huge amount to lose (or a choice really).

[ToberonaTornado]

It's like an intervention in here tonight.
If us Dundalk ones say 3 arkagas and holy be to tnb will yous leave off the preaching,LADS?


P L E A S E

[oriel]

Yaaaaawn.

I don't think LOI fans want any club to fail tbh. Confusing that with genuine, obvious concerns probably says more about you than the fans of other clubs on here to be honest.

I also don't get the thing that fans of other clubs want this to fail. I am reading a lot of valid points from other fans reminding Dundalk we need to be careful and that's fine. It would appear though that this Investment group is a lot different to Arkaga was, but time will of course tell.

I would be cautiously excited that this takeover has gone through, as it definitely puts the club on a new level in terms of what they can achieve. I think another key point is the sale was in no way rushed through and both parties have been in discussions for months. Not exactly a Clerys type Friday night at 2am or so US sale.

I'm also not so blinkered into thinking its going to be plain sailing ahead, like all new owners there will be periods of settling in, there is then the worry about what will happen when they leave, but setting up a strong business model which they appear to be doing and installing a new CEO will help. However, the only way I an see them making any sort of money will be to qualify for the EL group stages in regular seasons, and that is not going to be easy.

[bennocelt]

I thought it was a good thing but then I am hearing that Dundalk are already linked to 3 eastern Europeans: an Armenian, an Estonian and a Macedonian. Heard it from a friend and also a LOI page on fbook. Jesus its not going to be an athlone mark two is it?

[ToberonaTornado]

I thought it was a good thing but then I am hearing that Dundalk are already linked to 3 eastern Europeans: an Armenian, an Estonian and a Macedonian. Heard it from a friend and also a LOI page on fbook. Jesus its not going to be an athlone mark two is it?

The Estonian guy with 6 followers tweeted it,that your source? friend and a facebook page.WOW:o:rolleyes:

[pineapple stu]

Which is what I was getting at including the FAI having to take notice. Albeit with stu's scoffing at the ossibility, the FAI are nothing if not money obsessed and investment in clubs could lead to revenue for them. This takeover at Dundalk might just be the breaking of new ground - its every bit as likely as a repeat of Arkaga.
The PCA document that the clubs submitted to the FAI suggested that the FAI main get a return on any invest they put into the league in terms of a percentage of European money and transfer fees, with a view to ultimately making money on their investment. Shortly after, Dundalk hit the biggest money the LoI has ever known (I think?) and showed a clear way for the FAI to start driving revenue from the league. But they've just ignored the PCA instead.

Yes, this could be different. But all of history indicates that I'm right to scoff about the FAI bothering their hole to get positively involved in the league.

[bennocelt]

The Estonian guy with 6 followers tweeted it,that your source? friend and a facebook page.WOW:o:rolleyes:

Yeah maybe Toberona, just was a bit of a coincidence that i heard the same thing within an hour from two different sources, but yeah probably balls, i will admit that:p

[Dalymountrower]

Hopefully this all works out for Dundalk and they stay rooted in the town and surroundings.
Given the success of the club over the past 5 years and that there must have been enough cash generated to repay the local owners investment, why sell? Offer too good to refuse ?
It seemed a comfortable fit since the local businessmen took over a failing club and with the stadium lease sorted , they were set to continue to match Cork for dominance.

[White Horse]

Hopefully this all works out for Dundalk and they stay rooted in the town and surroundings.
Given the success of the club over the past 5 years and that there must have been enough cash generated to repay the local owners investment, why sell? Offer too good to refuse ?
It seemed a comfortable fit since the local businessmen took over a failing club and with the stadium lease sorted , they were set to continue to match Cork for dominance.



The club achieved success disproportionate to it's facilities. The owners studied small European clubs who went on to become very successful in their leagues and in Europe. For example,they met and talked to the people behind Rosenborg, BATE, and Alkmar when Dundalk played them in Europe. In all cases, there was significant seed investment. The owners do not have that capital. Yes, there is a pot of funds available but that would just scratch the surface of the investment that is required.

They had a choice to make. Allow the natural cycle of success to take place and watch as Dundalk slide down the table and wait for the next golden period. Alternatively, they could use the success of 2014-2016 to attract game changing investment. They went with the latter option.

Like a lot of Dundalk fans, I am excited but scared sh!tless.

[pineapple stu]

Would just point out that Genesis also talked to Rosenborg (or studied them, at least) when doing their LoI report, and that turned out to be rubbish.

Bottom line is, none of us know how this is going to pan out. Not Dundalk fans, not the others. Recent LoI history is full of this kind of stuff, none of it has ever worked out, and all of it has had the fans of the club concerned trying to justify the investors' motives early on, just like Dundalk fans are doing now (and, because this isn't an anti-Dundalk conspiracy, just like Waterford fans have justifying their investors and increased budget on here recently too). It makes sense to be wary of history repeating itself.

That said, I think "Excited but sh!tless" is an entirely reasonable position for Dundalk fans.

[Ezeikial]

Recent LoI history is full of this kind of stuff, none of it has ever worked out, and all of it has had the fans of the club concerned trying to justify the investors' motives early on, just like Dundalk fans are doing now.

I obviously missed the part where the majority of Dundalk fans were able to justify the motives of the investors.

We don't know what the motives are, but it is fair to assume that they want to get a return on investment.

It is the risks for the longer term consequences that causes concern.

Any objective analysis based on what we know right now says that this project could bring outstanding success or abject failure - or even both, from the fan perspective

[pineapple stu]

I obviously missed the part where the majority of Dundalk fans were able to justify the motives of the investors.
Have you tried reading the thread at all?

There's stuff about local catchment sizes and ground redevelopment possibilities and the European money and the potential for this to drive further investment in the league.

(I didn't reference a "majority" or "able to justify" btw. That's your words, not mine)

[pineapple stu]

Actually, I think what this has most in common with Shels, Bohs, Sporting Fingal, Cork, Bray, etc, etc, etc, is how those who suggest that caution should be kept is roundly turned on and dismissed by fans of the club in question.

We need more honest White Horse-style posts and fewer aggressively dismissive Ezeikial-style posts for once.

[Nesta99]

Have you tried reading the thread at all?

There's stuff about local catchment sizes and ground redevelopment possibilities and the European money and the potential for this to drive further investment in the league.

(I didn't reference a "majority" or "able to justify" btw. That's your words, not mine)

Isnt the word 'potential' a bit of a give away. The possible reasons, potential success, possible failure. The fact that we have ourselves battled a former owner to save the club seems to be lost on some. It is of course possible this ends up a totall mess and that has been stated before, it is also possible that it is also a breaking ground venture that will pique interest in the league even UCD, €50k would buy a good slice of that cake.

[Ezeikial]

We need more honest White Horse-style posts and fewer aggressively dismissive Ezeikial-style posts for once.

I see that once again you are promoting yourself as a self appointed spokesman for a whole community, while also choosing to personslise your comments

I find it easy to be dismissive of your condescending posts.

However like White Horse and the majority of Dundalk fans I am excited about the possibilities yet fearful of the potential for disaster.

[mcgonigle]

Actually, I think what this has most in common with Shels, Bohs, Sporting Fingal, Cork, Bray, etc, etc, etc, is how those who suggest that caution should be kept is roundly turned on and dismissed by fans of the club in question.

We need more honest White Horse-style posts and fewer aggressively dismissive Ezeikial-style posts for once.

You're basing your opinion from a tiny subset of Dundalk fans that post on this forum, I'm surprised by that. Go to Oriel Web to get a better sample and even that is skewed.

Those who are more impulsive and crass shout the loudest. The general consensus amongst level headed Dundalk fans is caution, how could it be anything else when we have no details of the new owners plans?

[Yossarian]

The general consensus amongst level headed Dundalk fans is caution, how could it be anything else when we have no details of the new owners plans?

I would say cautious optimism is the general view. Based on past LoI experience and the fact that the new owners raison d’etre is to turn a profit then a bit of healthy scepticism is a legitimate viewpoint. In order for them to make money it follows that Dundalk will need to be successful so it could be a positive thing both for supporters and the new owners. As already mentioned a few times, any potential problems will arise if the club is not successful and fails to return a profit.

Unfortunately the supporters have no input so all we can do is enjoy the ride and be prepared if it comes to a messy end.
Personally, I’m excited by the potential positives but slightly apprehensive as we don’t have any indication yet of the owners short or long term plans.

[Nesta99]

I would suggest that the cautious optimism is that this wasnt a firesale new owner desperately needed situation. The previous owners had time to weigh up options and take their time. They remain loyal supporters of the club and would have done their own due diligence on the various groups that approached them. Of course once they signed over the club to someone else they lose their say we all know that. There are still the safeguards on the ownership of the ground. The legalities around the lease have been adjusted to prevent a repeat of what happened with Gerry Matthews threatening the demolition of structures he claimed to own if not the land itself (yes some will say such demolition would be no harm). There are inevitible rumours on aspects of the deal which include a 1st option buy back. If true of course nobody will know the cost of a buy back. The current staff are being kept on, we dont knw the length of contracts they will be on but Martin Connolly will still be involved for whatever thats worth medium to long term.

There was as much concern albeit not from supporters of other clubs when GM took over the club. There was nobody else interested in buying the club and as GM was a property developer it was believed that was his play was a land grab. Few really trusted him, especially as he had purchased Hiney Park and the Carrick Road being a pretty valuable area to have land to develop. It was GM that was first looking at greenfield sites, shared ground developments, DkIT stadium project. He openly stated that DFC had erred in not purchasing Oriel Park outright and he looked to do that but the Casey's wouldnt sell. Lessons were well learnt over that period by many, and that period from 2012 until the lease was secured back by the club could well be a crucial learning curve for this deal. Id think that in 2012, having an owner whose companies elsewhere were failing, a man losing his wealth to NAMA, would have in desperation done whatever he could to make money from the sale of Oriel Park if he'd been in a position to do so. He did basically hold the club to ransom over the lease and YDC when the fortunes of the club on the field started to generate well publicised income

This time round the deal from the clubs perspective was made on a stronger foothold, probably the strongest position any LoI club has been in when considering new ownership. It may count for little down the line but at the same time as it wasnt a take it or bust sale, safeguards could be in place. We will know more both from the new owners as the lay out their plans over the coming weeks and over time. As an example of the type of concerns I have, Im not particularly enamoured by some members of the consortium's views expressed on other projects, beyond what might happen in 3,5 10 years.

[placid casual]

To dundalk fans on here: If dundalk don't win the league this year, and thus wont be in champions league qualification( where the profit these people are looking for is) will Kenny be under serious pressure?

[Pablo Escobar]

I would suggest that the cautious optimism is that this wasnt a firesale new owner desperately needed situation. The previous owners had time to weigh up options and take their time. They remain loyal supporters of the club and would have done their own due diligence on the various groups that approached them. Of course once they signed over the club to someone else they lose their say we all know that. There are still the safeguards on the ownership of the ground.
That's exactly what we said when our club was sold to Arkaga. It's understandable that the fans of the club try to justify it. We've been there. But the whole thing doesn't add up, certainly from my point-of-view. If you try to consider the risk-return of such an "investment", I'm sure they could do better things with their Assets Under Management. It's a worry for the league as a whole IMO.

[Ezeikial]

To dundalk fans on here: If dundalk don't win the league this year, and thus wont be in champions league qualification( where the profit these people are looking for is) will Kenny be under serious pressure?

No one knows the answer to that hypothetical question.

[Ezeikial]

That's exactly what we said when our club was sold to Arkaga. It's understandable that the fans of the club try to justify it..

I don't think Nesta is trying to justify anything, but simply giving some additional context to the sale/takeover.

The reality is that Dundalk fans have little option but to embrace the change ( hoping for the best while preparing for the worst)

[redarmyfaction]

The general consensus amongst level headed Dundalk fans is caution, how could it be anything else when we have no details of the new owners plans?
The owners strategy is clear, it is their opinion that the cost of achieving European success at Dundalk is less than the rewards, that difference is called profit. If the consortium is correct they retain their interest in the club, if not they walk away, that is the long and short of it I am afraid.

[Ezeikial]

The owners strategy is clear, it is their opinion that the cost of achieving European success at Dundalk is less than the rewards, that difference is called profit. If the consortium is correct they retain their interest in the club, if not they walk away, that is the long and short of it I am afraid.

That's likely to prove a reasonable, if overly simplified, summary of what will emerge.

Targeting a return on investment is not an ignoble objective, but their vision and strategy have yet to emerge.
For example , their level of commitment and action on ground upgrading will be an important factor. Their plans on further investment and exit strategy would also be interesting to understand

[redarmyfaction]

That's likely to prove a reasonable, if overly simplified, summary of what will emerge.

Targeting a return on investment is not an ignoble objective, but their vision and strategy have yet to emerge.
For example , their level of commitment and action on ground upgrading will be an important factor. Their plans on further investment and exit strategy would also be interesting to understand
Their exit strategy will be to minimise losses by liquidizing assets. The pursuit of profit may not be ignoble but "But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams"

[mcgonigle]

Their exit strategy will be to minimise losses by liquidizing assets. The pursuit of profit may not be ignoble but "But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams"

What assets?

I don't disagree with your summary of their probable objective but as Ezeikial has said that is a very simplified summary. Hypothetically if they put money into a playing budget and are happy to play in Tallaght/Aviva on big European nights then they minimise their expenditure, however if they are planning to provide a stadium to host these types of nights then making profit becomes much more difficult. I'm sure they've thought about this

[micls]

I think whether they actually do substantial work on the stadium, which they don't own, will say a lot to their long term plan. If they do, it's a sign they're looking to be involved longer term, and build a brand around the team. If they're happy to continue to play in Tallaght, it's more likely a short term immediate profit making venture.

[White Horse]

The motives of the new owners has been not made clear to fans. We are awaiting details in the next couple of weeks.

However, Paul Brown and Andy Connolly have been in discussion with them for five months and are convinced that they can take the club forward in a way that was not achievable by the previous owners. I don't expect fans of other teams to know Paul Brown and Andy Connolly, but they are real fans. They took over Dundalk when it was a basket case and in serious debt. There was no prospect of making a penny. I have travelled around Europe following Dundalk and Paul Brown was always there with the away fans in the corner of stadia, wearing his replica shirt like everyone else.

If those two fans are convinced this is the right thing for the club, it is something that gives me hope and confidence. Is it conclusive? No, as money can taint judgement. But it will do for now.

[pineapple stu]

I see that once again you are promoting yourself as a self appointed spokesman for a whole community, while also choosing to personslise your comments
What are you talking about?

My posts are my opinions, not those of foot.ie.

Obviously.

Tis funny that one month you're accusing people of specialising in trying to misrepresent what others have said (https://foot.ie/threads/217236-Transfer-Rumours-2017-Season?p=1947943&viewfull=1#post1947943), and the next month you're off misrepresenting what I've said as the opinion of the entire forum.

[pineapple stu]

However, Paul Brown and Andy Connolly have been in discussion with them for five months and are convinced that they can take the club forward in a way that was not achievable by the previous owners. I don't expect fans of other teams to know Paul Brown and Andy Connolly, but they are real fans. They took over Dundalk when it was a basket case and in serious debt. There was no prospect of making a penny. I have travelled around Europe following Dundalk and Paul Brown was always there with the away fans in the corner of stadia, wearing his replica shirt like everyone else.

If those two fans are convinced this is the right thing for the club, it is something that gives me hope and confidence. Is it conclusive? No, as money can taint judgement. But it will do for now.
Just to draw another parallel, if you read Neale Horgan's books on Cork under Arkaga, there's an interview with Brian Lennox where he discusses selling to Arkaga for exactly the same reason. He was a genuine fan, had taken over the club in dire straits with no intention of making money out of it, felt he'd taken it as far as he could, and wanted to find the next step forward. We all know how that panned out. I actually thought Lennox came across a bit naive in the interview - that he was a fan became his weakness rather than a strength.

Obviously Arkaga and Peak6 are different, as are Lennox and Brown/Connolly. But football is a murky business, and some level of scepticism has to be good here.

And even more obviously, it's not like anyone on here can actually do anything about the deal.