Hull City owners to take majority stake in Dundalk?

[culloty82]

The generally reliable Louth journalist, Gerry Malone, is reporting tonight that Hull City plan to purchase 70% of Dundalk, with the remainder of the club remaining in local ownership, and the intention being that young players at the Championship club will gain first-team experience at Oriel Park. The Waterford-Fleetwood relationship appears to be working for both parties so far, but it would still seem regrettable if the second-most successful side in League of Ireland history were to effectively become a feeder club.

[ger121]

I can see the headlines now. “Hullelujah!”

[Jack B]

Never gone wrong for Dundalk on this front before...

In all seriousness I wouldn't be surprised if Dundalk also get used to bring in young lads from Turkey etc that Hull can't due to Brexit. Wouldn't be surprised if this becomes increasingly common with English clubs due to the proximity, language etc.

[joey B]

Hulls owner is the Turkish Simon Cowell apparently,hasn’t invested much on players for Hull either,thought seems to be they’ll use Dundalk to get around Brexit rules for young players ….

He bought into Fortuna Sittard in Holland aswell and lasted a year before leaving again so mightn’t be the most trustworthy…

How do Dundalk fans feel about it so soon after the P6 disaster??

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

I can see the headlines now. “Hullelujah!”

To Hull and back

[Another Bohemia]

Didn't the current backers of Dundalk go on the record that they weren't looking to sell? That tune changed very quickly. If I was a Dundalk fan I'd be organising some supporters group to rescue the club in a year and a half when the **** inevitably hits the fan with this potential new owner.

[Jd2793]

something very hollow about becoming a cog in a "multi club" model. hate it , hope its not something that happens other clubs here.

[Another Bohemia]

Could see it happening again with a club that lacks a real identity like Bray/Cabo/Whatever they are.

[Yossarian]

I don’t know how true all this is as the only person that this story has come from is Gerry Malone and I would take issue with him being described as reliable. A cursory read of his columns in the local paper shows someone who can barely write a coherent sentence.

However if it turns out to be true I would be very disappointed. I can’t see any real benefits in effectively being a feeder club for another club.

[oriel]

A common question asked on oriel web is a sensible one, if its true what will be in this to benefit Dundalk?

Seems to me (again if its true) the intention would be to buy into a franchise and for them to get around Brexit on player movement, hardly anything to get excited about and for now I can see no benefit whatsoever to us.

[Another Bohemia]

I don’t know how true all this is as the only person that this story has come from is Gerry Malone and I would take issue with him being described as reliable. A cursory read of his columns in the local paper shows someone who can barely write a coherent sentence.

However if it turns out to be true I would be very disappointed. I can’t see any real benefits in effectively being a feeder club for another club.

Ability to write has very little bearing on reliability especially in the age of Twitter. It's all about who you know and what you can get out of them now.

So the real question is are his columns usually correct or accurate?

[pineapple stu]

I seem to remember him being similarly dismissed a couple of years ago when reporting Dundalk were signing an Albanian second division keeper.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

If true it's a shame to see this happening now , at a time when the league is setting to show signs of real growth . It seems like another short term move that won't in any way help develop the stadium etc. , which is badly needed.

[yurt]

Playing devils advocate for a second.

Is there not some clear benefits in terms of scouting networks, etc which could help Dundalk signing players if this were to happen? I don't see being a feeder/sister club being that big of an issue as long as the other club is sufficiently bigger.

Hull have bounced around a few divisions and would be directly competing for a similar calibre of player if/when they find themselves in L1 again.

I wouldn't be so turned off this news if it was a less established, FD club, say a Wexford, Treaty, Longford. But the fact that a club with one of the best histories will become a cog in the Hull City wheel is depressing enough. The multiclub ownership model is clearly a cancer in the modern game.

Have UEFA ever even addressed this as a concern yet? The 2 RBs and soon to be 2 Qatari teams competing in the UCL is a massive elephant in the room which needs to be addressed.

[pineapple stu]

RB Leipzig and Salzburg have met in Europe - they were in the same group in the 2018/19 Europa League. It was ruled that Red Bull didn't have "a decisive influence over more than one club (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40348340)", which sounds dodgy at best.

Ultimately the game is more all about money than it's ever been, and what suits the bigger clubs will happen I think. Agree though that a club like Hull owning Dundalk as part of its portfolio is not what we'd really want here.

[Demesne Lad]

:) Hullarious! But as of 13.57 there is no mention of this scheme on Hull Live.

[Nesta99]

Playing devils advocate for a second.

Is there not some clear benefits in terms of scouting networks, etc which could help Dundalk signing players if this were to happen? I don't see being a feeder/sister club being that big of an issue as long as the other club is sufficiently bigger.

Hull have bounced around a few divisions and would be directly competing for a similar calibre of player if/when they find themselves in L1 again.

I wouldn't be so turned off this news if it was a less established, FD club, say a Wexford, Treaty, Longford. But the fact that a club with one of the best histories will become a cog in the Hull City wheel is depressing enough. The multiclub ownership model is clearly a cancer in the modern game.

Have UEFA ever even addressed this as a concern yet? The 2 RBs and soon to be 2 Qatari teams competing in the UCL is a massive elephant in the room which needs to be addressed.

Hull will never qualify for Europe so the multiclub ownership may not come in to it at all. I would find it really tough to get behind a club that is just there as a feeder club and losing its own identity in the process. That said, a couple of years ago someone *cough* posted a 'rumour' here and Oriel Web just out of curiosity and it got tweeted by Gerry. So who knows. Eeek out a 40/40 split with at least 10% supporter owned and with potential to grow that and maybe it wouldn't be purely using our club as a work permit mill

[Longfordian]

Would playing in LOI make any significant difference to these players' ability to obtain a UK work permit? Moreso than any other European country?

[Another Bohemia]

Would playing in LOI make any significant difference to these players' ability to obtain a UK work permit? Moreso than any other European country?

Only benefit I could see would be that Hull could sign Irish lads to professional deals at 16 with Dundalk and then transfer them to Hull for feck all when they turn 18. It would essentially turn Dundalk into a nursery but that set up could prove attractive to young lads who dream of playing in England.

[osarusan]

If you're going through Hull, keep going.

[nigel-harps1954]

It would all end in tears.

Again.

[Demesne Lad]

Hull Live now covering the story: Acun Ilicali closer to Hull City 'dream' amid Dundalk FC takeover talks - Hull Live (hulldailymail.co.uk) (https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/acun-ilicali-closer-hull-city-8178111#)

[outspoken]

James Rogers, who'd I'd find to be by far the most reliable Dundalk journo and who took some flak for reporting a month ago that the club was up for sale, chatting here about it. Sounds like it's defo on. https://twitter.com/betweenstripes/status/1628044098761379840

[Demesne Lad]

Corkman and former Republic of Ireland U-21 cap Billy Clarke is Asst Coach with the Hull City U-18s. Maybe he had a word with millionaire owner Acun Illicali.

[2 Year Contract]

Hull manager Liam Rosenior confirms they’re in talks with Dundalk

https://twitter.com/humbersidesport/status/1628781047834898432?s=46&t=Lj8iA6FsVj2UubLKWPu86Q

[joey B]

1629016456133238785

So Dundalks style of play is going to be set out by Hull City?? Bad look for the league IMO……

[Jd2793]

1629016456133238785

So Dundalks style of play is going to be set out by Hull City?? Bad look for the league IMO……

yep not surprising this is what a lot of them do. grim stuff for management and fans alike mind you. theyd honestly be better off with one man band coming in and keeping their autonomy

[pineapple stu]

This would be about Hull, not Dundalk or the LoI.

If they want to send players on loan to Dundalk for development reasons, it stands to reason Dundalk will have to match Hull's style of play.

Agree it's far from ideal. Seems an extra step too beyond what Cork voted down or what Waterford have in place now (and back in the day, the Home Farm Everton stuff)

[Jd2793]

This would be about Hull, not Dundalk or the LoI.

If they want to send players on loan to Dundalk for development reasons, it stands to reason Dundalk will have to match Hull's style of play.

Agree it's far from ideal. Seems an extra step too beyond what Cork voted down or what Waterford have in place now (and back in the day, the Home Farm Everton stuff)


tbh the preston stuff with us never got to a stage where we were talked of being used as a feeder club with teams playing the same etc. look all the big clubs have loan managers now who try to send players to clubs that suit their skills the best. id imagine that isnt something that comes to mind when they send them here though, more a case of just getting them games IMO as majority who are sent here wont be good enough to cut it at a champ level lets say. hull have barely shown evidence of being a well run club themselves, it would be a different case if it was someone like palace or brighton doing this (equally as depressing though) . i dont know i think this is pretty grim hope it doesnt become a trend in the league

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Dundalk have been a hugely successful club in LOI history and were the top dogs not so long ago and i realize the club and supporters want to get back there , but difficult as it is in the short term surely it would be better for the club to accept they can't compete with the Rovers and Derry right now and look at ways of building the club for the medium to long term instead of going down this route .

[2 Year Contract]

1629016456133238785

So Dundalks style of play is going to be set out by Hull City?? Bad look for the league IMO……

So Stephen O'Donnell who is puppet master to Dave Mackey will become Liam Rosenior's puppet. I’m sure this will go well….

[pineapple stu]

You wonder how that would work in Europe?

You surely can't approach a European game as if you were Hull playing another mid-table Championship game? You need to have some flexibility there

[Glen Of Aherlow]

What happens when Liam Rosenior inevitably gets sacked , a new manager comes in who wants to play a different way . Do Dundalk have to change their style of play mid season to accomadate this ?

[Jd2793]

What happens when Liam Rosenior inevitably gets sacked , a new manager comes in who wants to play a different way . Do Dundalk have to change their style of play mid season to accomadate this ?

it will be the clubs DOF who is pushing the style of play, not the manager. thats if they are run properly.

[pineapple stu]

That's a big "if"!

[D24Saint]

Wouldn't be happy as a Dundalk fan. An investment like this is only beneficial for the club if they are allowed to run their own on pitch affairs. If Hull turn them into a feeder development club then it wont be good for Dundalk.

[Nesta99]

From what Ive heard is the 70% ownership was an attempt at an opening gambit. The % could change with a supporter element involved. I'm not in Dundalk so cant say whether that is wishful thinking or based on something more solid, a bit of both probably.

Some quickfire thoughts - We are looking at the very minimum changing the pitch in the near term, we will need additional investment for that sort of work. I still think you could throw a few million € at Oriel Park and not see a whole lot change on spectator facilities. We havent got cash assets that can be played with as a risk free purchase like previously. There are supposedly more than just Hull interested. Medium term at least pragmatism has to be considered. Hull fans are very happy with how their owner does things and just wish he had deeper pockets. I dont want a Dundalk manager to be told how he must play but there is a lot of room to find common ground in player development. People currently running DFC are fans and unless they need to cut and run I dont think they will just roll over and allow things like tactical set ups in eg ECL to be set in stone as per Hull City managers preferred formation. Once again its a wait and see for me rather than outright condemnation. Peak6 became a disaster cause Mad Bill was duped by player agents and Matt probably got his Dad out of his way for a while with his new play thing. Imo it would have been different if Mike Tracey had been in a position to stay on. The failings of one owner doesnt mean another will fail. It does mean a lot of nervous fans though, as we wait to see what is actually on the table. It isnt unusual for unpalatable arrangements to be leaked early on so there is less resistance to (slightly) better terms that if proposed early on would also have fans in protest mode. I think we are being drip fed details to soften things up in advance of a formal proposal. Then it could be time to get off te fence....

[oriel]

Dundalk released this statement around lunchtime.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/an-open-letter-to-dundalk-fc-supporters/

[sbgawa]

In fairness to the owners they must be pretty ****ed off with Hull given the stuff coming out from there via their Manager.
I think the mention of NDA's is pretty pointed.
Decent statement puts the Hull boys in their box....for now

[Calcio Jack]

Dundalk released this statement around lunchtime.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/an-open-letter-to-dundalk-fc-supporters/

Me thinks they wrote a long letter short of any detail or commitment ….. classic management holding statement that usually only annoys interested parties ( fans) …. They do deserve management speak bingo points for referring to the abject state of Oriel as a ‘legacy issue’ ?

[pineapple stu]

I like this bit -

"It was unsurprising that over 90% of respondents to our supporter survey said that Oriel Park was not fit for purpose. Oriel Park is a home we are proud of."

But lookit, fair dues to them for trying to be open when the reality is, as they say, that's not always easy in business with NDAs flying around.

[Nesta99]

]I like this bit -
[/B]
"It was unsurprising that over 90% of respondents to our supporter survey said that Oriel Park was not fit for purpose. Oriel Park is a home we are proud of."

But lookit, fair dues to them for trying to be open when the reality is, as they say, that's not always easy in business with NDAs flying around.

I do like a selective quote myself but the full comment is fair enough - its a kip but its our kip, I love Oriel Park warts and all! "Oriel Park is a home we are proud of – but it is clear that it is a major barrier to improving attendances and overall club development".

[Munster Saint]

Hull reps in attendance at the Pats Shels game according to the Sun (https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/10283373/hull-city-richmond-park-dundalk-takeover/). Informal contact with Pats about investing but Kelleher not interested, now "exploring the possibility of buying into Shels".

[pineapple stu]

I do like a selective quote myself but the full comment is fair enough - its a kip but its our kip, I love Oriel Park warts and all! "Oriel Park is a home we are proud of – but it is clear that it is a major barrier to improving attendances and overall club development".
Maybe "fond of" rather than "proud of", but yeah, I get the intended meaning alright, even if it's badly phrased.

[Yossarian]

Hull reps in attendance at the Pats Shels game according to the Sun (https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/10283373/hull-city-richmond-park-dundalk-takeover/). Informal contact with Pats about investing but Kelleher not interested, now "exploring the possibility of buying into Shels".

Seems to me the Hull owner just wants to invest in any club in Ireland to help further his own clubs aims. To me that is more worrying than if he’d decided to invest in a specific club.

[LOI101]

Seems to me the Hull owner just wants to invest in any club in Ireland to help further his own clubs aims. To me that is more worrying than if he’d decided to invest in a specific club.

Wouldn't surprise me if its just part of the negotiations... Dundalk release statement saying they're in discussions with other parties. Hull flirt with other clubs. You could be right though.

[joey B]

Bournemouth owner interested in investing in Dundalk now is the new one,after taking over Lorient in France and wants to add to his “portfolio “…..

[Nesta99]

I doubt the Hull owner was ever chasing after a specific club, I dont think anything else was suggested in any Hull based comments. They are just looking for a club that meets a number of criteria whatever they may be. Maybe a few of things put Dundalk top of their initial interest eg European qualification and seeding, maybe even access to Statsports as a company, that its been suggested that owners are willing to talk to potential investors also. Shels, as mentioned above fit much of what they are after and they need some financial room to help with Tolka. Conversely, St Pats and Kelleher have their own ideas on where they are going. For obvious reasons Rovers, Derry, Waterford, Cork are not options. Drogheda could be a fit, plenty of 1st Division possibilities if premier divsion/european qualification are not musts. If there is a mark against Dundalk being in the mix it'd be the pitch if plan is all about young players and game time.

[culloty82]

The Dundalk talks are off:

1630594695796588544

[SPXcyan]

Good riddance too says I.