New owners at dundalk

[Ezeikial]

It's sad really, as annoying as dundalk fans can be sometimes it's sad to see a loi club not taking full advantage of its success and repeating the mistakes of the past and banking on more short term success instead of planning for the future so if things do go tits up there's still some sort of legacy.

I get you brother. Not taking advantage of your own success is an awful affliction.

Success can be so elusive - at least we can console ourselves by trying to win 5 out of 6 titles in 2019

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I get you brother. Not taking advantage of your own success is an awful affliction.

Success can be so elusive - at least we can console ourselves by trying to win 5 out of 6 titles in 2019

You can console yourselves with all the trophies you want but what happens when they, and they inevitably will, dry up? Suddenly you're not winning, you playing in a dump that's even more run down than it is now. Will the fans keep showing up, it'll be a lot harder to get going again.

At the end of the day peak6's job is to make money, what happens if they decide football isn't the way to do that, or a better offer in football comes up that means they can't own dundalk? They've shown by not investing in the ground or making any movements to do so that they couldn't care less about the club just the money it can make them and if they don't see sufficient scope for that they'll drop dundalk like a stone and since their job is to make money not build football clubs you can bet they'll be taking a good chunk with them leaving dundalk in what sort of state? who knows. Could all be fine but it could be anything but and that's the worry I'd have if I was a dundalk fan. You may struggle to comprehend this Ez but I'm saying this all as a LOI fan not a Rovers fan, when owners invest in clubs purely to make money it rarely ends well for the club in the long run especially when the club starts from a low base facilities and structures wise and that's my worry for Dundalk.

[EatYerGreens]

I was aware that they already qualified before. Perhaps what I should have said is once more, in that if they qualify again and would do it more often than not, the riches would flow. I suppose one can't wave a magic wand, but within a few years (quickly by Irish standards of getting anything done), with sustained cash from sustained qualifications, I wondered if that might be the only way they would do an upgrade if they ever have plans to. Based on Larnaca last year, there's no certainty that they can be reasonably expected to qualify, although I hope they do, and that the away tie was just a horrible night where everything went wrong. Of course, keep using Tallaght as it's relatively near, but long term, surely it would be nice to have something like Tallaght or TX in Dundalk Town.
The riches would flow in that scenario indeed. But straight into the accounts and dividends of Peak 6.

I'll ask again - why would they spend money doing anything substantive to the stadium if it didn't advance their core business objective to do so - i.e. cashing in on Europe ? They have no emotional attachment to Dundalk at all. This is more than likely just a medium term business deal for these guys. Get in, make some money through Europe, and then ideally sell the club on at a healthy profit before disappearing. It's all about the benjamins, and there seems little real benefit to them burning any of those on Oriel Park.

So rather than wonder if they're going to invest in the stadium, I'd suggest a more pertinent question would be what they'd do if they found themselves unable to reap the financial benefits they clearly want (for whatever reason) ? Like if other clubs had financial injections which made it harder for Dundalk to get CL and even EL qualification. If they couldn't get the return they want in the way they'd hoped, would they just walk away ? Or would they seek to realise it in other ways (I'm looking at you, Oriel Park) ? And would would be the financial implications for Dundalk of either scenario ? These guys won't be at the club forever.

[Nesta99]

Do many Dundalk fans still volunteer for the club?

There is still a high level of volunteerism, I would say quite similar to the 2 previous owners and probably a good few more than before that again. Coaching at underage levels, the quality programme produced is all voluntary. As we know from the allegations of supposed holding back tickets/merchandising for buddies, a lot of the office staff are voluntary. Stewarding is mainly voluntary. The club shop also. Tbh beyond the playing staff and coaches and senior admin the only other paid staff are probably bar staff. These things take time to evolve, and in some areas for sure things could improve with more full time staff but this is happening as the club builds gradually (not on the basis of owner investment, spoils of being in Europe or player sales). Growth in average gates, sponsorship, merchandising sales, full utilisation of facilities like the YDC etc and staffing will likely grow accordingly. This would be a more local decision to make within an annual budget that doesnt need going to Peak6 looking for money for a few office staff. It's good to have a decent level of volunteerism but as a club with ambition to be as professional as it can there could be more behind the scene staff imo. Nothing is so broken though that better guidance and supervision of volunteers couldnt fix significantly enough.

As for the rest of the chat above - its all been discussed to death at this stage!! Dundalk fans were tenative about the takeover, we know the pitfalls and risks and the Arkaga example was rolled out plenty by Dundalk fans. We were hopeful but not expectant on improvements to Oriel but we knew that investors were not going to build a ground for a few games a season when you can rent a ground for a fraction of the cost for those games. Oriel is sufficient, if not particularly nice, for most games including early rounds in Europe. When there is a scramble for tickets for a significant number of sold out league games a season then maybe P6 may seriously look at ground improvements. As it is the safe holding 5k capacity is sufficient. It would be nice to have a nice new place or even incremental improvements but whether they are needed, as opposed to desired, is debatable. With the greatest of respect to our lauded away section how much return would there be on even 200k worth of improvement, thats what roughly an additional 15000 away fans over a season to cover costs (we should have a thread on guestimated away crowds if it didnt cause ructions weekly lol). Of course if there was some reasonable evidence to suggest that those sort of numbers would travel due to a roof and toilets at the away section that would generate an additional 200k in subsequent seasons it would be done. The same thing applies for the home sections, if improvements could be financially justified they would happen. and having €xmillion in the bank is not justification alone.

Its not nice, we dont like it, we want to see some lasting legacy from the era of success thats not just the roll of honour, but cost benefit analysis needs to make sense!

We also do not know what is in the pipelines either, we can only speculate on what could happen with both Peak6 ownership and Oriel Park. For example a company was employed to look at the possibile options for the club, greenfield site or stick with Oriel with a view to improve it. The assessment was that Oriel offers quite a lot eg location and ground development at Oriel was the way to go. There have been a number of meetings with Louth County Council also. The previous owners also had preliminary plans done. They werent released probably for a whole load or reasons but one would be the weariness of plans being released but never a word again about them. A look back at the local papers over 20 years and there are 3 different 'front cover' reports with architect renditions of the top of my head - the millenium stand shed side, and various extensions of the main stand as examples and there are probably more going back further.

The expectation is damn low among Dundalk fans by and large and its not really relative tbh - cosmetic stuff would actually be progress for now. Some might hope that a cheap and cheerful barn like roof structure over existing terracing could happen.

Anyway, any Dundalk fans that are not concerned about the future and Peak6 pulling the plug are either deluded or extremely naive. As naive as to think other club's fans really are just genuinely worried about the leagues image if the wheels fell off and wouldnt be rubbing the hands with a smug 'told ye so' look on the faces. It's not impossible that in 10 years time we could be looking back on this thread with Dundalk on their way to title 20 odd. playing ina tidy all seated ground as Europe groups stage regulars....that or were added to the list of phoenix clubs that will have bought back 'the original club' after a season of being called Dundalk Hibs/United/Celtic/GNR etc and keep our trophy haul!

[Ezeikial]

You may struggle to comprehend this Ez but I'm saying this all as a LOI fan not a Rovers fan, when owners invest in clubs purely to make money it rarely ends well for the club in the long run especially when the club starts from a low base facilities and structures wise and that's my worry for Dundalk.

You're right, I am struggling to take you seriously.

While some LoI fans see the bigger picture, for most the bigger and more pressing issue is Dundalk's current dominance in the league and the fear that Peak6 involvement could reinforce this further in the short to medium term

I have plenty of reservations about Peak6 and the long term future, but I have certainly enjoyed the journey so far

[RathfarnhamHoop]

While some LoI fans see the bigger picture, for most the bigger and more pressing issue is Dundalk's current dominance in the league and the fear that Peak6 involvement could reinforce this further in the short to medium term

Yeah you keep your tinfoil hat on and keep believing that

[oriel]

I think most DFC fans realise where things stand at the minute, for P6 to get their return this will come from Euro and for that to happen they will need to continue to invest heavily into the playing budget, and for the team to win the league. How long this will last for, who knows, but most if not all LOI clubs at the top will have some sort of investors is place, as without a tv deal, sponsorship / gates won’t cover the bills.

The only frustration I find is mixed messages coming from P6, they mentioned on more than one occasion that any ground redevelopment would be gradual, the infamous puddle was fixed, new pathway installed, stand painted, then the 300k put into the YDC this winter.

However they also mentioned before any other (spectator) improvements would be by way of earned income, and suggested this would follow the same route the Scanda clubs (Norwegian especially) took. Mike Tracey the main P6 spokesman and chairman of DFC has also acknowledged (not hard) the away section is the worst in the league, mind you its worth noting the similar home section the other side of the stand is not much better either, save toilets behind it.

P6 must just like talking about these things in the future that will probably never happen.

[Nesta99]

Yeah you keep your tinfoil hat on and keep believing that

You may considering the overall welfare of the league RH but you cannot deny that there are good proportion of league fans while not necessarily wanting a club to go under, would enjoy Dundalk FC being put back in their box. It would be a natural thing too if there is risk of a club dominating through investor wealth to hope that those investors walk!? There isnt too much conspiracy or paranoia around this thinking at all!

[outspoken]

Accidentally deleted my post on this poxy phone. I'm just shocked Dundalk for a club it's size don't have more full time staff given the new ownership. Even their media officer is totally voluntary, a club that size should have someone on site full time.

[sbgawa]

I actually don't have a problem with Peak 6 not improving Oriel because they said they weren't going to do it.
If they'd gone the lovely scale model route and promised a new stadium and reneged on it then you would be right to call them out on it.
they are trying to do a Rosenberg and if they do, my problem will not be the dump that is Oriel it will be the winning titles piece.
The only thing that can prevent that is other clubs stepping up as the resources in DFC now mean we can't expect them to go backwards.
Now where did we put that centre forward ??

[Nesta99]

Accidentally deleted my post on this poxy phone. I'm just shocked Dundalk for a club it's size don't have more full time staff given the new ownership. Even their media officer is totally voluntary, a club that size should have someone on site full time.

You would think there would be more full time staff, but there are some really dedicated and hard working people doing key roles voluntarily so I suppose there hasnt been the need to hire staff in some areas for as long as they continue to commit their time. I dont know how the club secetary, for example, does it - balancing his day job, the secetary role, programme editor and does a top job!

[Nesta99]

I actually don't have a problem with Peak 6 not improving Oriel because they said they weren't going to do it.
If they'd gone the lovely scale model route and promised a new stadium and reneged on it then you would be right to call them out on it.
they are trying to do a Rosenberg and if they do, my problem will not be the dump that is Oriel it will be the winning titles piece.
The only thing that can prevent that is other clubs stepping up as the resources in DFC now mean we can't expect them to go backwards.
Now where did we put that centre forward ??

Good point! Clubs and their supporters cant expect or wait for DFC go backwards to close any gap. Doesnt mean we will never go backwards and Peak6 could up sticks and leave us in trouble one day.

[outspoken]

You would think there would be more full time staff, but there are some really dedicated and hard working people doing key roles voluntarily so I suppose there hasnt been the need to hire staff in some areas for as long as they continue to commit their time. I dont know how the club secetary, for example, does it - balancing his day job, the secetary role, programme editor and does a top job!

I know what your saying, why pay FT wages when you've people and good people at that willing to do it voluntary but on the flip side of that, imagine how much more those wonderful people could do if they were full time and were sent for a bit of extra training.

[Nesta99]

I agree, but a good few of these people wouldnt want to or be able to give up the day job. With the history of issues with player registrations (Waterford trawling through registrations after the play-off in 2012) well a clued in club secretary is worth their weight in gold and there is no guaruntee that a full time member of staff would be as diligent. But yeah if they were available and willing things could be better organised eg improved communication with supporters, maybe having properly run members club, no messing with ticket allocations etc. In saying this any issues on this type of admin stuff are not major in my experience.

[Charlie Darwin]

I know what your saying, why pay FT wages when you've people and good people at that willing to do it voluntary but on the flip side of that, imagine how much more those wonderful people could do if they were full time and were sent for a bit of extra training.
There are clubs in the top leagues in England who rely on volunteers to do media. Hell, most of them won't even pay stewards above minimum wage. People who own football clubs aren't exactly known for their generosity to non-footballing staff. They seem them as free labour and will happily milk it. I'm sure Rovers would be the same given Dundalk's situation, sadly. Of course, it may well be the people in Dundalk would rather the money be put into the club.

[marinobohs]

But again - why would they do anything like that ? It won't aid their business objective. It'll just cost them money and be a distraction. So seriously - why would they bother ?

If any Dundalk fans find this disappointing, it's because they have given themselves inflated expectations.

Spot on. Would redeveloping Oriel bring increased profit (short to mid term) on Peak 6 investment ? Very doubtful as it’s not like they have capacity problems currently. Possibly lead to a short term increase in crowds but expensive outlay for risky return.
Given the owners, Dundalk would also be unlikely to get much public money further increasing their own risk.
A new or revamped stadium would be great for Dundalk FC, Dundalk and the LOI, unfortunately it is more difficult to see the Benifit for the people that would have to pay for it.

[Longfordian]

There are clubs in the top leagues in England who rely on volunteers to do media. Hell, most of them won't even pay stewards above minimum wage. People who own football clubs aren't exactly known for their generosity to non-footballing staff. They seem them as free labour and will happily milk it. I'm sure Rovers would be the same given Dundalk's situation, sadly. Of course, it may well be the people in Dundalk would rather the money be put into the club.

I heard recently what a kit man who has been with a club in the top two divisions in England was earning every week and it was shockingly low.

[marinobohs]

I heard recently what a kit man who has been with a club in the top two divisions in England was earning every week and it was shockingly low.

That would be the case at most English Premier League clubs, with ancillary staff paid minimum wage or little more. Clubs take advantage of people wanting to be associated with the club and know they will get workers at lowish pay rates. Think I read about a campaign recently trying to get clubs to guarantee the living wage (slightly higher than minimum wage) was paid to all staff.

[Nesta99]

Spot on. Would redeveloping Oriel bring increased profit (short to mid term) on Peak 6 investment ? Very doubtful as it’s not like they have capacity problems currently. Possibly lead to a short term increase in crowds but expensive outlay for risky return.
Given the owners, Dundalk would also be unlikely to get much public money further increasing their own risk.
A new or revamped stadium would be great for Dundalk FC, Dundalk and the LOI, unfortunately it is more difficult to see the Benifit for the people that would have to pay for it.

That doesnt have that much bearing on SCG applications tbh. The cash reserves of the GAA would have done an awful lot of the work that they got grants for for example. Often for projects its the necessity to have minimum 10% of the cost of the project in hand before the grant can be drawn down that is a problem. Having wealthy backers is an advantage in this regard though matching grant funding can be required which can be an issue for the money men at clubs. I wouldnt be surprised to see Dundalk FC recieve a sizeable grant in the next couple of years, possibly even in June or whenever the next round of grants are issued.

[oriel]

On the subject of grants, I don't know if DFC are in for one, but I do know the application process starts 12 months before any award, so maybe there is one in the pipeline.

I know the previous owners had a lot of planning meetings with the Louth CC, and rumours pre P6 were that they had got planning for seating around the ground. A grant award and supplemented by the club contribution would offer the best hope of any improvement.

I still think if anything is ever done to the ground, it would be modest, the appetite wouldn't appear to be there for anything else.

[ToberonaTornado]

The by-pass stadium in Dundalk might be an option Oriel ;)

Cllr Keelan wants us out in the ex-dump.Home from home some might say.:D

€250k invested in that gym says we're going nowhere #asset

[oriel]

I heard it was actually over 300k they spent on the YDC this winter, so I'd agree no move from oriel park would seem to be even in any way of their thinking.

Worth noting also that then last pitch that was put down at the start of 2017 cost 500k (at last and for once a decent quality) which was paid by the previous owners, they also had to cover the council bill that was overdue for years, for the planning of the YDC, possibly 500k, then again as part of that deal, they took full ownership.

So although nothing spectator wise has really improved that much, there's 3 examples of almost 1.5m invested.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I heard it was actually over 300k they spent on the YDC this winter, so I'd agree no move from oriel park would seem to be even in any way of their thinking.

Worth noting also that then last pitch that was put down at the start of 2017 cost 500k (at last and for once a decent quality) which was paid by the previous owners, they also had to cover the council bill that was overdue for years, for the planning of the YDC, possibly 500k, then again as part of that deal, they took full ownership.

So although nothing spectator wise has really improved that much, there's 3 examples of almost 1.5m invested.

I really doubt they would but they could in theory turn oriel into a training ground if they wanted to move and the investments wouldn't be wasted then.

[marinobohs]

I really doubt they would but they could in theory turn oriel into a training ground if they wanted to move and the investments wouldn't be wasted then.

Cant see it happening but presume any new site would be predicated on giving up the current site.
Some genuine ground improvements would be great legacy when this glory era ends but unfortunately I don’t see a big incentive for Peak6 in it.

[White Horse]

Cant see it happening but presume any new site would be predicated on giving up the current site.
Some genuine ground improvements would be great legacy when this glory era ends but unfortunately I don’t see a big incentive for Peak6 in it.

While Dundalk have a long term lease at a nominal rent, the freehold is held by the Casey family. This arrangement makes it difficult for the owners of the club to sell Oriel Park and relocate the team out of the town.

Dundalk FC is synonymous to the town.

Seeing people walking up to Oriel in their droves on match day is a great sight. I have been to away games where, if you were in the town beforehand, you wouldn't even know a match was taking place.

[EatYerGreens]

Dundalk FC is synonymous to the town.

Seeing people walking up to Oriel in their droves on match day is a great sight. I have been to away games where, if you were in the town beforehand, you wouldn't even know a match was taking place.

Wasn't that long ago you could have put Dundalk into that bracket too.

How easily people forget ;)

[marinobohs]

While Dundalk have a long term lease at a nominal rent, the freehold is held by the Casey family. This arrangement makes it difficult for the owners of the club to sell Oriel Park and relocate the team out of the town.

Dundalk FC is synonymous to the town.

Seeing people walking up to Oriel in their droves on match day is a great sight. I have been to away games where, if you were in the town beforehand, you wouldn't even know a match was taking place.

As I said, cant see it happening anyway. I like Oriel Park and think best option is some realistic improvements. I appreciate efforts are been made but for a team doing so well (and generating such income) the ground is in awful Knick.

[White Horse]

Wasn't that long ago you could have put Dundalk into that bracket too.

How easily people forget ;)

There may have been the odd poor attendance and the buzz around town wasn't always as electric as it is now. But you would still know a game was on.

[Nesta99]

I agree with WH, and what I found very frustrating then was post match back in town and the amount of people that saw you with a match programme, or a jersey and asked about the game. They were interested enough to want to know how the game went but not enough to go themselves. Are you familiar with Dundalk pre and post match EYG or speculating on the basis of average attendances?

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I agree with WH, and what I found very frustrating then was post match back in town and the amount of people that saw you with a match programme, or a jersey and asked about the game. They were interested enough to want to know how the game went but not enough to go themselves. Are you familiar with Dundalk pre and post match EYG or speculating on the basis of average attendances?



Seeing people walking up to Oriel in their droves on match day is a great sight.

And your reply is about people not going to the games but be ie interested enough to ask the result, which isn't a very high bar.

Yeah attendances probably are a good way to judge is people were going to games "in their droves"

[osarusan]

What's the story with the area around the pitch at Oriel? One side is the main stand obviously, and some other seating, much less deep. There is some room (8-10 metres?) behind the goal near the away end. The other end seems shallow enough, but just from the picture I googled now, there seems to be some kind of green area behind it.

The main limitation I suppose is the very shallow stand across from the main stand. But if the main stand was extended as far as it could go in both directions, or at least as far as say the 18-yard boxes, what would that do? Roughly double it in size?

[Nesta99]

What's the story with the area around the pitch at Oriel? One side is the main stand obviously, and some other seating, much less deep. There is some room (8-10 metres?) behind the goal near the away end. The other end seems shallow enough, but just from the picture I googled now, there seems to be some kind of green area behind it.

The main limitation I suppose is the very shallow stand across from the main stand. But if the main stand was extended as far as it could go in both directions, or at least as far as say the 18-yard boxes, what would that do? Roughly double it in size?

The green area is outside the perimeter wall and is an unused laneway owned by Iarnrod Eireann. It would be ideal if the club could purchase 'Joes Field' the other side of the laneway and the lane itself. The railway's need for it is gone since the bottling plant at Macardle Moore closed. If the chance arose to get Hiney Park back then it could be connected to Joes Field and would be a nice big parcel of land to have. To expand properly the YDC side the YDC would either need to be incorporated in to a new build or be demolished and start fully from scratch. There is plenty of space to extend the main stand the length of the pitch (this was originally phase one of 3 when build in the 60s). To do a decent job behind the town goal the additional land would need to be acquired. Behind the Carrick Rd goal there is plenty of space for an away stand or c1000 capacity while sill leaving acces to the YDC.

[dahamsta]

Tone down the rhetoric and nonsense in this thread please, or I'll toss the rest of it.

[Ezeikial]

Dundalk add another €500k to their wage bill with the appointment of Mark Devlin as new Chiel Executive

https://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-fc-announce-new-chief-executive/

[Buller]

He'd wanna be augmenting his CEO role with scoring 20 goals a season to justify a wage like that!! (Hope you're joking!)
Is Dundalks wage bill still 1.8m this year?

[GCdfc]

Is Dundalks wage bill still 1.8m this year?

Who cares when the owners are gazillionaires?

[sbgawa]

Has to be at least that but its pin money to Peak6.
Interesting bringing in an expensive CEO , he's not been brought in to shake down the odd sponsor for another 10k or so.
Maybe there are plans afoot to do something in Oriel.

[ArFella]

Well Mike Treacy's comments on the new CEO's previous experience with a new stadium build has a few of us cautiously optimistic about possible development but I won't be holding my breath for any major news in the near future.


Crucially, Mark, demonstrated a number of key attributes that are important to us as we seek to take the business to new heights – amongst them, modernising club operations, increasing and engaging with the fan base and was heavily involved in the planning of the new Brentford Community Stadium

[Buller]

Well Mike Treacy's comments on the new CEO's previous experience with a new stadium build has a few of us cautiously optimistic about possible development but I won't be holding my breath for any major news in the near future.

Yeah I saw that bit, promising...



Has to be at least that but its pin money to Peak6.

It may be small money, but they're looking to make a return on investment, so it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to upgrade fan facilities. (unfortunately)

[seand]

Dundalk add another €500k to their wage bill with the appointment of Mark Devlin as new Chiel Executive

https://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-fc-announce-new-chief-executive/

An extra zero in there maybe, but he must be on decent money - he'll be expected to show measurable results though. It'll be interesting to see just what he can do at what is still a small club in a tiny league (relative to where he's coming from)

[Breifne]

Looks like a step in the right direction for Dundalk although this might be a bit of a concern for local youngsters dreams of being the next Duffy, Hoban or Benson!

https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2016/may/club-statement-brentford-academy-restructuring/

Brentford closed their academy entirely to sign premier league academy castoffs almost 3 years ago.

[Ezeikial]

Looks like a step in the right direction for Dundalk although this might be a bit of a concern for local youngsters dreams of being the next Duffy, Hoban or Benson!

https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2016/may/club-statement-brentford-academy-restructuring/

Brentford closed their academy entirely to sign premier league academy castoffs almost 3 years ago.

Brentford certainly displayed some creative thinking in adopting a different strategy to other clubs. The jury is still out on the level of success.

The academy system in the UK hardly compares with our fledgling under age national league structures here

[dundalkfc10]

Looks like a step in the right direction for Dundalk although this might be a bit of a concern for local youngsters dreams of being the next Duffy, Hoban or Benson!

https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2016/may/club-statement-brentford-academy-restructuring/

Brentford closed their academy entirely to sign premier league academy castoffs almost 3 years ago.

Our U-15 squad has 4 from Dundalk and everyone else is from Dublin. The talents just not in Dundalk.

The GAA have decided to change U-16 games in Louth from Monday night to Sunday mornings (clashing with soccer season now) so Id say the talent pool will be even less now

[oriel]

Local paper ran a story today, its linked with Indo so it might surface there tomorrow, it seems Stats Sports are being linked with making an offer to buy DFC from P6.

Although now based in Newry, they were co-founded by one or two Dundalk men.

Then again plenty of rumours going around, this could be another one but interesting its being run by a paper with quotes from SS.

[mcgonigle]

Local paper ran a story today, its linked with Indo so it might surface there tomorrow, it seems Stats Sports are being linked with making an offer to buy DFC from P6.

Although now based in Newry, they were co-founded by one or two Dundalk men.

Then again plenty of rumours going around, this could be another one but interesting its being run by a paper with quotes from SS.

Can't see anything coming of this. Peak6 won't just hand it over and I'd imagine Bill would be painful to negotiate with. Any potential buyers will walk away.

[Nesta99]

It would be hard to imagine ayone as difficult as Gerry Matthews back 2011/12, there was no rhyme or reason to talks with progress often made only for it to be binned on a whim after the meeting. If P6 want out Bill wont be allowed scupper a reasonable offer especially if they just want to cut their self caused losses. If they are looking for some of those losses to be covered by a sale price well its a whole different game and I think that be some major trick pulled by p6 if they mange it. What is far more plausible is that they will go back to the basics of their original plan. Greater off field effort will be made in youth teams and building the business side of thigs, playing budget will be cut but should still be competitive if the manager can put together a fairly new squad that mix it up. Average a couple of rounds in Europe, group stages if via champions pathway occasionally. Id like to think Statsports would have a far better connect with the club and an idea how things works and that agents are leeches not nice friendly advisors.

[oriel]

Can't see anything coming of this. Peak6 won't just hand it over and I'd imagine Bill would be painful to negotiate with. Any potential buyers will walk away.

Wouldn't expect anyone to take it on for free or for P6 to sell it for nothing either, its a good opportunity for the right owner / investor.

[oriel]

Maybe the sale price will have dropped after tonight !

[Yossarian]

Wouldn't expect anyone to take it on for free or for P6 to sell it for nothing either, its a good opportunity for the right owner / investor.

What price exactly do you think Dundalk are worth? We have one senior player signed for next season, no manager and no Europe and we play in the worst ground in the country.

When peak6 took over we had a full squad, European football and almost €3m in the bank. They have squandered all that and worse, all the goodwill and a lot of experienced volunteers. They should be begging someone to take over to fix their mess.

[oriel]

DFC will have 850K incoming next season from UEFA, and will carry prob 10.0 coefficient a long as they make europe in the next 2-3 years, I think the club owns the YDC and the buildings around but not the actual pitch / ground, if that makes sense.

Not sure what's left in the club accounts, but you are correct that when p6 took over it was around 3m, some mess indeed !

No idea on a sale price, would depend if any debt / tax etc needs to be paid, whatever any price, p6 should at the very least leave the 850k due from uefa with the club, make it up to a round 1m, and pxxx off !!