Hull City owners to take majority stake in Dundalk?

[joey B]

I'm not sure, I'd be quite happy to see 400k a season thrown into Harps at the minute!

Harps aren’t trying to win the Premier division!

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps aren’t trying to win the Premier division!

Might do with a bit of investment :D

[EalingGreen]

Agreed. Not enough to outspend the current professionals and still too much to ever expect to pay back.Maybe not outspend, but it could take them a good bit closer eg go from their current part-time status, if not completely full-time, at least to a hybrid model like Crusaders, for instance.

The key may be the aims of these mysterious investors. If they're looking to come in and make a quick buck somehow* (European money? Player transfers? Tax scheme or money-laundering even?), then obviously you don't want them. And even if their motives are sound, but they want to interfere in how the club is run, then that could be just as bad. But if otoh, they're prepared to put the money in and let the present Board/Management get on with it, that could be successful, since CFC look to be a very well run club, who frequently punch above their weight, even amongst the Big Boys.

And while Kenny Bruce put in £5m to get Larne to the top of the tree, the majority of that went into infrastructure (stadium, training ground, Academy etc), rather than purely into transfers and wages etc. While on the playing front, CFC are currently in a much better position than Larne were when KB stepped in.


* - They can't sell the ground for redevelopment, which is one good thing.

[EalingGreen]

Steven Beacom reporting in the Sunday life on potential investment in Coleraine.
(https://twitter.com/StevenBeacom5/status/1685629438816391168)Following some meetings, a vote by the Friends of Coleraine Football Club (fan owners) to accept or reject this proposal is imminent.

Meanwhile, some American investor who previously expressed an interest in buying Coleraine, but was rejected, has now bought a majority shareholding in Carrick Rangers:
https://www.carrickrangers.co.uk/newsitem.aspx?id=2214

Strange times indeed for Irish football, North and South.

[Nesta99]

Any mention of Irish Sea FC?.......

[EalingGreen]

Meanwhile, some American investor... ... has now bought a majority shareholding in Carrick Rangers:
https://www.carrickrangers.co.uk/newsitem.aspx?id=2214
And right on cue, Carrick lose 9-0 at Crusaders tonight! (Yes, you read it right, that's 9 - Nine)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buyer%27s_remorse

[nigel-harps1954]

Any mention of Irish Sea FC?.......

There's definitely a connection between the lads behind that, and the Valeo FC lads behind Athlone Town.

[cláirseach]

I'd love a long exposé on Athlone tbh. Not sure who would put the time in to write it though.

[Burnsie]

Dan McDonnell gave a strong hint on the podcast last week that he was hoping to get around to it soon

[Nesta99]

Id it would be some read. As a fringe topic the stroy itself would probably get traction in its own right well beyond LoI. A N.I. Irish Sea FC borders on the ludicrous anyway!

[EalingGreen]

Id it would be some read. As a fringe topic the stroy itself would probably get traction in its own right well beyond LoI. A N.I. Irish Sea FC borders on the ludicrous anyway!Not quite sure what you mean (bold)

Anyone trying to get into the IL needs either to buy an existing club, or if starting up a new one, find a league in the 5th tier which will accept them, then work their way up via promotion(s).

[Nesta99]

Not quite sure what you mean (bold)

It'd just be DUPid idea....


sorry that was poor and not planned, so to rephrase A IL version of Irish Sea FC would be would border on the total crazy after the fsrcical efforts to joing LoI! I hadnt known that they Had weaseled in via Athlone Town FC.

[cláirseach]

Might have been covered already but I saw a tweet from John O'Connor saying that O'Doherty now control 75% of DCFC.

(https://twitter.com/chippie1974/status/1696208000560611365)
Off topic but John actually also tweeted a while back that he tried to register for the forum here but couldn't as he was using a gmail address. That kept me off for a few years and has kept at least two others I know from joining - including one whose actual work was for Google.

Member owned clubs in the league dropping like flies.

[SkStu]

Might have been covered already but I saw a tweet from John O'Connor saying that O'Doherty now control 75% of DCFC.

(https://twitter.com/chippie1974/status/1696208000560611365)
Off topic but John actually also tweeted a while back that he tried to register for the forum here but couldn't as he was using a gmail address. That kept me off for a few years and has kept at least two others I know from joining - including one whose actual work was for Google.

Member owned clubs in the league dropping like flies.

thats a great point about paid v unpaid email addresses - you should raise it in the Support forum. I'd say there are probably quite a few who havent registered because of that.

I think there might be an exception process?

[EalingGreen]

Steven Beacom reporting in the Sunday life on potential investment in Coleraine.
(https://twitter.com/StevenBeacom5/status/1685629438816391168)Friends of Coleraine (fan owners) voted 85% to approve the takeover at last night's EGM:
"The club will now look to move towards a full-time set-up with the Chairman feeling that it will take '12 to 18 months' to complete the switch as they get the structures in place on and off the pitch."
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/colin-mckendry-outlines-plans-coleraine-27617244

With Carrick Rangers also taken over recently by some American businessman, along with Ali Pour at Glentoran and Kenny Bruce at Larne, these certainly are, er... interesting times for NI football.

[Martinho II]

Friends of Coleraine (fan owners) voted 85% to approve the takeover at last night's EGM:
"The club will now look to move towards a full-time set-up with the Chairman feeling that it will take '12 to 18 months' to complete the switch as they get the structures in place on and off the pitch."
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/colin-mckendry-outlines-plans-coleraine-27617244

With Carrick Rangers also taken over recently by some American businessman, along with Ali Pour at Glentoran and Kenny Bruce at Larne, these certainly are, er... interesting times for NI football.

Yeah saw piece on BBC NI sports news earlier! Very surprised with Carrick Rangers takeover thought they were a small club?

[EalingGreen]

Yeah saw piece on BBC NI sports news earlier! Very surprised with Carrick Rangers takeover thought they were a small club?They are, with very low crowds, Larne and Ballymena edging onto their catchment area, and not so far from the Belfast clubs, either. Their ground is also pretty crap, though it's owned by the local Council who are generally pretty supportive*, while there is talk of accessing new funding from somewhere-or-other in order to upgrade it.

As for this new owner, I can't help wondering whether he didn't see the Netflix series on Wrexham, figured that he wanted to get into this "sawker" lark and Carrick was all he could afford! I mean, his CV seems fairly impressive (if it can be believed!), but he seems always to have been an employee of companies, albeit senior, rather than a founder/entrepreneur, which is where the big bucks usually lie.

Still, he talks a good game:
"We want to run a long-term sustainable growth model for sure. I'm making personal financial investment and will look to leverage my network in terms of sponsors and other connections," Smith emphasised.
"I'm not going to throw a tonne of money going after a brief moment of glory and then jeopardise the future of the club. We are looking to run a profitable club.
"I'm investing in the vision that Peter and the Board have already put in place, the strong foundation they are building and the progress they've made in the last five years."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66661795

Anyhow, despite years of people claiming that the football bubble is going to burst etc, all the evidence from recent times suggests that football is only becoming ever bigger, from Gulf/Far East/US investment at the very top, right down to the micro level like Dundalk/Athlone in the LOI, or Coleraine/Carrick in the IL.

Interesting times.


* - Within their limited means, that is.

[joey B]

Rumours of more takeovers at Dundalk from James Rodger’s on his podcast,no details but it seems to be very important it happens according to him,hadn’t realised the new owners there were as badly thought of,seem to be doing a really bad job there…..

[ger121]

Seen a good few comments on SM about this. People even saying budget to be slashed and going back to part-time. Could be the usual rumour mill but will be interesting to see what develops.

[pineapple stu]

Going back to part-time would be a serious step for Dundalk. Ok, Drogheda did ok this year, but it's still relegation candidate stuff

I know they weren't too healthy last year before the new guys came along, and obviously there's no Europe next season. Is it as simple as debts and an ageing team from the Peak6 era?

[oriel]

I think the point James R was making was, unless it changes ownership and if they were to continue with current owners, yes it might go to part time / hybrid but hugely reduced budget.

Then at the end of pod he suggested a takeover might be announced as early as after the Bohs game on Fri night, so will all depend on what the new group can bring to the table and what budget will be available.

StatSports did virtually nothing in their 2 years, most local rumours suggest they are potless, or at least have zero cash available to put into the club, and almost solely focusing on their own biz. I think the term a 'rudderless ship' was correct on SS led ownership. I`m not even sure why they took it over in the first place.

[Jack B]

O'Donnell famously never wants offers made to players during the season anyway so it should be business as usual for him.

[bohsmug]

O'Donnell famously never wants offers made to players during the season anyway so it should be business as usual for him.

:D

That was one of the stranger cases of making a rod for your own back.

[bohsmug]

Going back to part-time would be a serious step for Dundalk. Ok, Drogheda did ok this year, but it's still relegation candidate stuff


With the way things are going at the moment. Yeah, it looks like any kind of hybrid full-time/part-time or part-time model is in danger of relegation unless they over perform. Bohs flirted with relegation for a few years during our significant budget drop. Honestly have no idea how sustainable having so many full time teams is because generally in this league you've needed European money and a bit of domestic success to pay for it. Someone who's better at their sums can shed more light no doubt.

I can't remember the names of the lads who owned the club in between Matthews and Peak 6 but always felt they get a bit of a free ride when it comes to Dundalk. They chose not to develop the facilities with the money and sold the club to another crowd to get the blame. Peak 6 never looked like a good idea and never gave the impression they were house proud.

[Mr A]

Honestly have no idea how sustainable having so many full time teams is because generally in this league you've needed European money and a bit of domestic success to pay for it.


It almost certainly isn't.

[culloty82]

I think the point James R was making was, unless it changes ownership and if they were to continue with current owners, yes it might go to part time / hybrid but hugely reduced budget.

Then at the end of pod he suggested a takeover might be announced as early as after the Bohs game on Fri night, so will all depend on what the new group can bring to the table and what budget will be available.

StatSports did virtually nothing in their 2 years, most local rumours suggest they are potless, or at least have zero cash available to put into the club, and almost solely focusing on their own biz. I think the term a 'rudderless ship' was correct on SS led ownership. I`m not even sure why they took it over in the first place.

Maybe they over-extended themselves with their involvement in the new Louth GAA stadium, and it was once they realised they were in over their heads that they cut back on the Dundalk budget?

[2 Year Contract]

Rumours going around on Twitter (from Dundalk fans I might add) that Hoban who is in contract for next season has been told they can’t afford to keep him on so they want him to leave the club in the off season, meaning tomorrow would be his final oriel park game for the club. Although past his peak, he’s still as good a striker as there is in the league and I’d take him at pats no problem. Daniel Kelly is supposedly in talks with Derry among others, again he’d be a good pickup. Archie Davies who’s in contract for next year is supposedly a target for rovers and hibs, he looks a solid player IMO and I wouldn’t mind him coming to pats as a Curtis replacement if and when he leaves this winter. Sloggett is due to sign for shels. Of the others, Benson is crocked at this stage and has done next to nothing since scoring the winning peno in the cup final 2 years ago, it was a blessing in disguise pats lost him. Likewise Alfie Lewis, he’s done absolutely nothing since leaving pats, he came off the bench in Inchicore last month and it was then I realised that I genuinely forgot he had existed up to that point. I can see Darragh Leahy heading back to Bohs if he’s available. Shepperd will probably head back to the UK. The rest aren’t worth mentioning, a combination of journeymen there for a few quid and bottom half of the table dross

[bohsmug]

Have no idea what Leahy's current form is like but if he's the same kind of player as he was previously I'd take him back in a heartbeat.

[mcgonigle]

Have no idea what Leahy's current form is like but if he's the same kind of player as he was previously I'd take him back in a heartbeat.

Sold, can you take him now?

[mcgonigle]

Dundalk might not be number one anymore but our fans are still top of the pile for rumours and ****e talk

[ger121]

Are StatSports the same people that owned the club pre Peak6? Those lads appeared to get an easier ride than the American Owners. They made lots of money in Europe but didn’t do much with it. Sold the club to a crowd who were a disaster and if it is the same lot, have done very little since buying the club back, which included money in the bank from Peak6 as part of the sale.

[outspoken]

Are StatSports the same people that owned the club pre Peak6? Those lads appeared to get an easier ride than the American Owners. They made lots of money in Europe but didn’t do much with it. Sold the club to a crowd who were a disaster and if it is the same lot, have done very little since buying the club back, which included money in the bank from Peak6 as part of the sale.

No, Andy Connolly was part owner with Paul Browne pre p6, Connolly is part owner with SSports with his bro Martin the COO.

[total hoofball]

It almost certainly isn't.
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and LOI clubs going into financial crisis

[Nesta99]

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and LOI clubs going into financial crisis

Is it a financial crisis or mitigation preventing one? Either way it will lead to a footballing crisis!

[EatYerGreens]

Would this be a good time to remind everyonne that when Peak 6 took over Dundalk there were plenty of fans of other clubs predicting that it would end in tears - and plenty of delighted Dundalk fans telling them that they were just jealous?

Too soon?

[Nesta99]

Would this be a good time to remind everyonne that when Peak 6 took over Dundalk there were plenty of fans of other clubs predicting that it would end in tears - and plenty of delighted Dundalk fans telling them that they were just jealous?

Too soon?

Not at all EYG its not your first time blowing your trumpet on this and triumphalism is never an unexpected trait of our Northern Irish brethern! Nobody had a crystal ball, and there was no shortage of fear among those calling foul too. The vast majority of Dundalk fans took a nervous wait and see stance and it was pretty much going ok until Mad Bob rolled up. Circumstance didnt help, SK having the Ireland job dangled in front of him, Mike Tracey stepping back from his career in general for family reasons hence Bob, and a global pandemic thown in to the mix. But undoubtedly the inability of Bob Hulsizer to get that player agents were not his friend, his unchecked draining of the clubs financial reserves (Zahibo perspective here - 100s of k to sign on and a weekly wage that you might not even see in Tallaght currently so what Hulsizer Junior was doing as head of P6...). It ended acrimoniously as is always destined. I could say the same about Shels and Hull owners, eras, ownerships et al by nature come to an end, usually badly, maybe not so soon, but it was a call that one day you would have been able march down the road to Oriel fists in the air. I dont see you falling over with 'careful now' signs up for Drogheda's pending US partners. So you will have to admit that its wasnt all being **** of the north sure EYG, a part of you was worried that might have had to wait for a while...2 leagues, 2 Cups, 1 Cup League Cup, that Champions Cup for whatever it was worth and EL Groups all happened under P6 before it went south, there are suporters of other clubs that would take that. We didnt go to the wall, never have, and as of this evening afaik we are still the same club since being established early last century so to 'end in tears' is relative!

We are now facing in to another uncertain period, following billionaire owned clubs is easy, maybe the attraction to Irish football is the 'never a dull day' masochist in being a football fan. Time will tell on what is going on, could be fun again but not in the masochistic sense or we cut our cloth to the extreme and go again!

[joey B]

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/irish-shelbourne-directors-look-to-buy-out-clubs-turkish-majority-owners-in-order-to-secure-damien-duffs-future/a819663604.html


The Hull city -Shels link up on the rocks already….

[2 Year Contract]

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/irish-shelbourne-directors-look-to-buy-out-clubs-turkish-majority-owners-in-order-to-secure-damien-duffs-future/a819663604.html


The Hull city -Shels link up on the rocks already….

Can’t say I feel sorry for them. The dogs in the street could see this coming when they were looking at Dundalk

[2 Year Contract]

https://x.com/mcdonnelldan/status/1722308190753186150?s=46

If Duff is let go and the shels ‘fans’ carry through with their threats of not renewing season tickets, will Damien Duff FC be entered into the First Division next season or will it wait until the 3rd tier is introduced? Genuinely mortifying behaviour :D

[Jack B]

The lads at Shels have played a blinder to just get the club given back to them. That had room to be much messier.

[2 Year Contract]

The lads at Shels have played a blinder to just get the club given back to them. That had room to be much messier.

Yeah just seeing that now, they’re absolutely blessed that Ilicali didn’t dig the heels in which we’ve seen so often before. If I was a shels fan I’d be asking serious questions into how they allowed him take a majority stake in their club in the first place. Back to square one for them anyways in terms of finding a long term backer

[Philosophizer]

The lads at Shels have played a blinder to just get the club given back to them. That had room to be much messier.
Is that actually confirmed though? I know it’s what they’re aiming for, but is the Turkish lad willing to just hand it back?

[2 Year Contract]

Is that actually confirmed though? I know it’s what they’re aiming for, but is the Turkish lad willing to just hand it back?

Not officially announced but due to be officially announced in the next week apparently according to David Sneyd

https://www.the42.ie/shelbourne-takeover-6218010-Nov2023/

[ger121]

When Dundalk turned down this crowd, you knew there had to be something off about them. Hell of a result for Little Old Shels.

[Longfordian]

Amazing that he's apparently willing to just write off €3m. Surely with LOI being such an..ahem..attractive investment opportunity these days someone would have paid him something if he went looking for it?

[joey B]

As far I can tell he paid a sum up front for a 60% stake with a view to investing 3 million,I think he’s just walking away from whatever he put up originally ….

It’s in that piece from David Sneyd…..

https://www.the42.ie/shelbourne-takeover-6218010-Nov2023/

[total hoofball]

Yes Indo and Irish Times articles confirms the same, whatever money has gone into Shels far (McDonnell states 7 figures) will not have to be paid back. Bizarre day with looks like with a positive ending still will be a need for investment but all looks good for next season with Duff

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/shelbourne-to-be-back-in-irish-hands-within-days-and-damien-duff-set-to-stay-as-turkish-owner-agrees-to-leave/a819663604.html

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2023/11/08/shelbourne-fc-shareholders-buy-back-club-to-keep-damien-duff-as-manager/

[sbgawa]

I dont believe this guy has put a seven figure sum into Shels and walked away leaving it behind without some deal.
It says the money doesnt have to be paid back that could mean he is keeping a smaller shareholding or some other deal.
If he really has walked away leaving it behind and not looking for anything he is the unicorn moneyman with a heart of gold.

If he has good luck to Shels they have played a blinder

[Calcio Jack]

I dont believe this guy has put a seven figure sum into Shels and walked away leaving it behind without some deal.
It says the money doesnt have to be paid back that could mean he is keeping a smaller shareholding or some other deal.
If he really has walked away leaving it behind and not looking for anything he is the unicorn moneyman with a heart of gold.

If he has good luck to Shels they have played a blinder

A benevolent trustee rather than a ( cold hearted) shareholder like we have

[Stav]

Is it really? Have they bought and paid for Tolka Park yet. Small budget this year, how will that grow. You would wonder what negotiations took place that missed some much that the deal fell apart so soon. Great guy if he walked away with nothing as Shels could very possibly be in Europe next season guaranteeing a minimum of €250,000 and a lot more if they progressed past the initial stages. Big lessons to be learned from this and Peake 6 takeovers.