Saudi Takeover of Galway

[NeverFeltBetter]

Well, well, well, what do we make of this?: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/0608/969099-exclusive-galway-united-on-verge-of-saudi-takeover/

[D24Saint]

Well, well, well, what do we make of this?: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/0608/969099-exclusive-galway-united-on-verge-of-saudi-takeover/

When people think of a Saudi takeover they imagine the crown prince pumping in millions but this could be just some joe soap chancers.

[pineapple stu]

Galway close in on Saudi Arabia takeover?

Not sure Riyadh is ready yet for the infidel delights of Eyre Square tbh.

[CorribsideSteve]

A Saudi version of Nick Leeson? I'm pretty dubious.

[Olander]

A Saudi version of Nick Leeson? I'm pretty dubious.
What? What a strange post to make.

Nick Leeson was the club's CEO, not an investor or owner. He was appointed by the club's board at the time, which was largely made up of local businessmen and had zero supporter input.

Co-op members will decide this when they vote on whether it goes ahead or not after the facts are presented to them at an EGM next week, I would not jump into this two footed or discount it either until things become clearer.

[EatYerGreens]

Why is a small Irish football club looking to takeover Saudi Arabia ?! :confused:

[Longfordian]

Will they ban women from the games?

[sbgawa]

And beer.....pity I liked the bar in Galway

[nigel-harps1954]

And beer.....pity I liked the bar in Galway

Saudis got rid of that before the season started.

[EatYerGreens]

Will they ban women from the games?

Maybe they'll lift the club's ban on football :D

[Longfordian]

Instead of crisps and minerals it’ll be dates and water. GUFC fans putting tea towels over their heads to welcome their new overlords.

[ToberonaTornado]

Any more bad jokes about the Saudi's and heads will roll!!:knife:

[El-Pietro]

Its hard to know whether this is good or bad for Galway. If it were us I'd be very much against it, but they have much less to lose than we do. They have a trust in place and if they do get bought out or hand over the club they can continue raising funds in the background to be ready in case it doesn't work out again.

[Eminence Grise]

I'm sure the FAI will carry out proper due diligence and we'll all sleep comfortably in our beds, but we might see John Delaney muttering in full-blown Lady Macbeth mode before too long: 'All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.'

[Nesta99]

Its a disaster waiting to happen!! Sure look what Arkaga did, so nooooo to inward investment in League of Ireland!!

[dong]

Its hard to know whether this is good or bad for Galway. If it were us I'd be very much against it, but they have much less to lose than we do. They have a trust in place and if they do get bought out or hand over the club they can continue raising funds in the background to be ready in case it doesn't work out again.

True enough but will the fundraising continue if there is the perception of a big bankroller behind the scenes?
In any case, Galway is probably the right place for a trial like this. They have no real support in the city, no football history and never will have so if they have a few good years of success before the rug is pulled then why not?

[Redzer]

Its a disaster waiting to happen!! Sure look what Arkaga did, so nooooo to inward investment in League of Ireland!!
For sure. but Galway will go for it, in the hope of instant success.

[Treaty Gooner]

Course they will. Who wouldn’t. Limerick would have the falcons on the roof of the Markets Field already if it was them instead of Galway.

[El-Pietro]

Its a disaster waiting to happen!! Sure look what Arkaga did, so nooooo to inward investment in League of Ireland!!
As I said, I'd be against it at my club. But when you look at Waterford who have gone from irrelavance to being on the brink of Europe and you look at Galway and how far they are from the top of the first division, and their crowds you'd wonder if its worth the roll of the dice in their case. Maybe I'm more open to this because I saw them in Cobh last week and they looked dire. Obviously its unfair to judge them based on one game, and I'm used to watching the Champions but they were very poor.

I was very much against the Dundalk investment because it sounds a lot like Arkaga, and I may well be wrong on that. Its still too early to judge of course.


True enough but will the fundraising continue if there is the perception of a big bankroller behind the scenes?
In any case, Galway is probably the right place for a trial like this. They have no real support in the city, no football history and never will have so if they have a few good years of success before the rug is pulled then why not?
You would hope they would keep the trust in place but they may not do. It really depends on what the investors have to say about their plans. FORAS originated as a trust with aims to fund facilities, and was quickly repurposed. Maybe GUST can find a different focal point if they do sell, maybe something with youth football, or to fund the academy, something just to keep the structures in place.

[total hoofball]

Why wouldn't a consortium 'invest' in a League of Ireland club, bucket loads of cash to be profited from a sure bet win-win of a league exceeding anything to be seen in the arab oil fields

It's not just Galway attracting interest from further afield, I'm hearing Cabinteely are subject to interest from the same guys from Qatar who bought the 2022 World Cup and even Firhouse Clover are subject to a proposed takeover by some Bahraini lads

[redarmyfaction]

Why wouldn't a consortium 'invest' in a League of Ireland club, bucket loads of cash to be profited from a sure bet win-win of a league exceeding anything to be seen in the arab oil fields

It's not just Galway attracting interest from further afield, I'm hearing Cabinteely are subject to interest from the same guys from Qatar who bought the 2022 World Cup and even Firhouse Clover are subject to a proposed takeover by some Bahraini lads
Firhouse are in merger talks with near neighbours Shams, the amalgamation it's expected to be done for the 2019 season when they will launch as Shamrock Clovers.

[Treaty Gooner]

Bravo

[disgruntled]

Not everyone in Saudi owns an oil well :o

[EatYerGreens]

Not everyone in Saudi owns an oil well :o

True.

They also have gas.

[Cuyahoga]

2690
Galway United fans celebrate after scoring a goal last night.

[Buller]

https://www.businesspost.ie/business/saudi-firm-set-invest-seven-figure-sum-galway-united-418704
(https://www.businesspost.ie/business/saudi-firm-set-invest-seven-figure-sum-galway-united-418704)
Article is behind a paywall, but title indicates a substantial investment. They'll be wanting to challenge for a European spot fairly quickly for a return!

[Treaty Gooner]

New manager ahoy surely

Andre Villas Boas 4/1
Avram Grant 9/2
Roddy Collins 13/2

[EatYerGreens]

https://www.businesspost.ie/business/saudi-firm-set-invest-seven-figure-sum-galway-united-418704
(https://www.businesspost.ie/business/saudi-firm-set-invest-seven-figure-sum-galway-united-418704)
Article is behind a paywall, but title indicates a substantial investment. They'll be wanting to challenge for a European spot fairly quickly for a return!

Not many of them in the First Division ;)

[Eminence Grise]

New manager ahoy surely

Andre Villas Boas 4/1
Avram Grant 9/2
Roddy Collins 13/2

Ebbe Sand
Sandy Clark
(Obviously...)

Joe Gamble
(Because it's a big one...)

Kevin Sheikhdy
(OK, coat, hat, door...)

[Longfordian]

New manager ahoy surely

Andre Villas Boas 4/1
Avram Grant 9/2
Roddy Collins 13/2

Sven Goran Eriksson the dark horse at 7/1.

[gufct]

This seems to be a serious Offer we will know more when we get info packs.

http://2dy51.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/2yaiqmvsk7f.html

[gufct]

Galway United Friends Co-operative SGM











Press Release on SGM












The Following Press Statement will be released today. Please note that a more detailed infromation pack will be sent only to members in advance of the meeting (24-48 hours before). For lapsed members that wish to renew their membership online please go to the co-op website (gufc-coop.com). If any member would like to submit any questions in advance please do so to info@gufc-coop.com. This will assist us in the preparation of the members information pack.



Press Statement 13/06/2018


Further to recent media reports the board of Galway United FC can confirm an offer has been received to take a majority shareholding in the club.



Galway United FC is 100% owned by the Galway United Friends Co-operative, and at the Special General Meeting (SGM) that has been called to discuss this offer, each co-op member that can attend will vote and ultimately make the decision in relation to the proposed investment. Galway United Friends Co-operative is owned and democratically controlled by its members and is operated on the principle of “one Member – one Vote”.



The co-op would encourage all paid up members to attend the SGM and have their voice heard by voting on the proposal on the night.

This is a proposed long term investment in Galway United and initial commitments outlined include;



Investment in the first team to target promotion to the Premier Division
1.Investment in the development of the club’s underage infrastructure and youth academy
2.Investment in a Galway United training facility
3.Recruitment of key personnel to ensure right structures are in place both on and off the pitch to support the long-term development of the club. These individuals will be at board level, general management and a director of football.
4.To play a bigger role in the community

Admission to the SGM will be only available to the following members. Members who have paid their full yearly membership (€180 for adults or €90 for concession class) or be part of the monthly payment scheme for at least two months. Members shall be at least 16 years of age, to be admitted to Society meetings. Lapsed members who pay their full yearly membership (€180 or €90) up to 48 hours before the meeting will also be entitled to attend. Lapsed members can make payment via the coop website at www.gufc-coop.com/gufc-sgm-2018/



We recognise that members will need sufficient time to consider this proposal and to this end a meeting information pack will be forwarded to members in advance of the SGM

[Sean South]

After all the in fighting and egotistical behaviour from people involved in football in Galway to finally having a fan owned club. You'd think they wouldn't even entertain the idea of someone wanting to take ownership of the club.

[pineapple stu]

Ebbe Sand
Sandy Clark
(Obviously...)

Joe Gamble
(Because it's a big one...)

Kevin Sheikhdy
(OK, coat, hat, door...)
Allah Pardew?
Mecca Hyde?
Riyadh Houghton?

[pineapple stu]

Oh, and I'll be voting yes to abolish blasphemy

[Sean South]

After all the in fighting and egotistical behaviour from people involved in football in Galway to finally having a fan owned club. You'd think they wouldn't even entertain the idea of someone wanting to take ownership of the club.
Actually I was talking to a Galway fan at work. He said they can't even get 80 people to sign up to the Co op this year. He said the people of Galway have no real interest in the club or football in general but would happily jump on a bandwagon if successful.

[IsMiseSean]

Actually I was talking to a Galway fan at work. He said they can't even get 80 people to sign up to the Co op this year. He said the people of Galway have no real interest in the club or football in general but would happily jump on a bandwagon if successful.

The Galway sporting public love a bandwagon. It was Connacht a couple of years ago, now it's the Hurling team.

[gufct]

The Galway sporting public love a bandwagon. It was Connacht a couple of years ago, now it's the Hurling team.

We still have a hardcore of 700 plus even in the 1st division. The interest and Audience is there all it needs is long term investment on and off the field. We actually had 7,600 for a cup game against St. Pats.

[Mr A]

The Galway sporting public love a bandwagon. It was Connacht a couple of years ago, now it's the Hurling team.

Connacht built their crowds up very well even before they became really competitive. They did a great job getting people in with what is a pretty crappy ground. It helps that rugby has been on the up and people get to see international players there most weeks plus they have resources LOI clubs can only dream of, but their marketing and promotion has been exemplary down the years.

[Nesta99]

There must have been an Arabic version of the DVD!!

[galwayforsam]

Actually I was talking to a Galway fan at work. He said they can't even get 80 people to sign up to the Co op this year. He said the people of Galway have no real interest in the club or football in general but would happily jump on a bandwagon if successful.

What kind of figure do Cork have? Have seen between 400-500 Co-op members mentioned in some places.

[Mr A]

Cork are at about 450 members AFAIK, down from a peak of 850ish.

[micls]

It's hard to sustain interest in membership when there's no immediate disaster looming.

Little things can help, for examplebers are voting in our 3rd kit for next year, priorities for euro tickets etc to try to keep people engaged.

[gufcfan]

priorities for euro tickets

(Makes note) :p

[Charlie Darwin]

It's hard to sustain interest in membership when there's no immediate disaster looming.
Same for Rovers.

[nigel-harps1954]

So, the Saudis are taking over. Initial immediate investment of €500,000 is reported. Game changer.

[EatYerGreens]

So, the Saudis are taking over. Initial immediate investment of €500,000 is reported. Game changer.

That sort of money would be a game changer for Galway, but I'm not convinced it'll guarantee them any sort of success. The European money is such that if the Saudis are serious about challenging for the Premier Division title at some stage then they're going to have to up that sum by quite a bit.

[total hoofball]

500k is the same investment gone into Shels, good sum of cash for a first division club but only one club can go up automatically with UCD looking strong bet for that spot this season

With the headline rte articles I was under the impression millions we're been invested but maybe that will come if they get promoted by 2019 or 2020?

[wonder88]

First step has to be to get into the premier division, will 500k achieve that this year with the gap to UCD?

[Poor Student]

First step has to be to get into the premier division, will 500k achieve that this year with the gap to UCD?

The 1st Divison season is two thirds over. You're talking about bridging a 12 points gap with 30 points remaining to play for. There's also the small matter of 4 other sides in between. The playoffs are an achievable goal though.