Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[A N Mouse]

If you've seen some of the meeting notes from the council that span over the last couple of years, the long-term plan is to buy some of the houses/businesses on Emmet Road in order to redevelop the ground. I've heard some people say that to make it work they'd have to rotate the pitch 90 degrees but there isn't any actual clarity on that nor when it'll actually come to pass, if at all, but maybe that explains some of the walls being gone already.

Whatever they're doing now seems to be some makeshift idea for the time being, will be interesting to see how it plays out as it's not clearly obvious going off of yesterday. As always they're limited with what you can do to Richmond but it feels like every little helps at this stage. Noticed a screen had gone up over on the gantry at the Camac as well.

Philosophizer posted article back in September that mentioned council buying up property, by compulsory purchase if necessary. Sounded good, but timescales seemed off, especially with compulsory purchase being mentioned, as according to that we should have seen planning proposal already.

https://dublininquirer.com/2023/07/05/on-emmet-road-in-inchicore-st-patricks-athletic-fc-plans-to-expand-its-stadium/

But stands to reason they own enough to get on with something 'temporary'. We all know how that one goes :(

[Jack B]

Philosophizer posted article back in September that mentioned council buying up property, by compulsory purchase if necessary. Sounded good, but timescales seemed off, especially with compulsory purchase being mentioned, as according to that we should have seen planning proposal already.

https://dublininquirer.com/2023/07/05/on-emmet-road-in-inchicore-st-patricks-athletic-fc-plans-to-expand-its-stadium/

But stands to reason they own enough to get on with something 'temporary'. We all know how that one goes :(

The process seems to be painstakingly long. The last update I'm aware of was back in September at a council meeting where updates were still being sought beyond "the CPO'ing is at a preliminary stage".

[EatYerGreens]

The process seems to be painstakingly long. The last update I'm aware of was back in September at a council meeting where updates were still being sought beyond "the CPO'ing is at a preliminary stage".

The rate of property price growth in Dublin is higher than inflation, and seems unlikely to slow down any time soon. So the longer they tale to CPO the properties, the more expensive it will be to do so in both real and relative terms. So they really should get on with it asap.

[2 Year Contract]

United Park
O2 Park
Hunky Dorys Park
Head In The Game Park
Weavers Park
Sullivan and Lambe Park

Quite the mouthful, should’ve just gone with Lambe Park and they might’ve pulled in a few extra families mistaking it for a petting zoo :D

https://droghedaunited.ie/sullivanlambe/

[Nesta99]

I dont think those kind of sponosrship names make any difference to the sponsor, Im not going looking for who they are. Different if its a growing brand as Hunky Dorys were, 02 back when mobile ownership was booming. Still mone is money!

[Eminence Grise]

Just be grateful it isn't a Southend Utd situation, when the club sold the naming rights to one of its stands to a local estate agent, Gilbert & Rose.

The Gilbert & Rose West Stand wasn't quite the success they'd expected!

[2 Year Contract]

Bolton Wanderers’ stadium currently being named The Toughsheet Community Stadium is another one. If their fans don’t like the name… well that’s just tough sheet :)

[pineapple stu]

There has to be some sort of diminishing marginal returns in stadium rebrands surely?

The first name will stick. The second - ok, it'll be used. But when you get to a fifth sponsored name, are people going to start ignoring them?

(I think in America, every second new name change ends up being a new stadium just to emphasise the name more)

[Cosmo]

There has to be some sort of diminishing marginal returns in stadium rebrands surely?

The first name will stick. The second - ok, it'll be used. But when you get to a fifth sponsored name, are people going to start ignoring them?

(I think in America, every second new name change ends up being a new stadium just to emphasise the name more)

Not sure - but some companies obviously keep seeing the value in it. Its only a positive that businesses are willing to put sponsorship money into the club (a good local one too). Long may it continue!

[Another Bohemia]

There has to be some sort of diminishing marginal returns in stadium rebrands surely?

The first name will stick. The second - ok, it'll be used. But when you get to a fifth sponsored name, are people going to start ignoring them?

(I think in America, every second new name change ends up being a new stadium just to emphasise the name more)

Well one example I can think of is the point. It originally changed to the O2 arena and is now the 3 arena (not due to new sponsorship now but O2 pulling out of the Irish market and 3 taking their place) but I don't think I've ever heard anyone call it the O2 since it changed. On the america point I know the Denver broncos stadium has has a few name changes and the same can be said for the Seahawks stadium in Seattle.

Lastly the value in these naming rights isn't Joe Blogs saying I'm going to Hunky Dory Park/Head in the game park/ whatever the new name is. It's actually in the announcements around the event. Local media will say Drogheda are playing Bohs in whatever the current name is and obviously the higher profile the event the more lucrative the naming rights. Just think about the Taylor Swift gig at the Aviva stadium. It's almost always mentioned where the event is because it's necessary information and is now being used as covert brand advertising

[pateen]

Some mention of new works planned for Markets field, cant rem where i read it.

Anyone on here know anything?

[EalingGreen]

There has to be some sort of diminishing marginal returns in stadium rebrands surely?

The first name will stick. The second - ok, it'll be used. But when you get to a fifth sponsored name, are people going to start ignoring them?
Middlesbrough built one of the first big, new stadia in England after the Taylor Report. During construction, they asked the fans what it should be called and they chose "The Riverside Stadium".

But when it was opened, the club agreed a sponsorship renaming it the Cellnet Riverside Stadium, later the BT Cellnet Stadium, but these never caught on and it reverted to the Riverside after the initial spponsorship deal ended, a few years later. They've never managed to attract new sponsors since.

Which is why eg, you will never see any reference to White Hart Lane at Spurs' new stadium, even though it's on the site of the old Lane, and they failed to get the nearby White Hart Lane rail station renamed. Instead they simply call it "The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium", while waiting to get a new, long term sponsor on a 20 or 25 year contract.

[EatYerGreens]

Not sure - but some companies obviously keep seeing the value in it.

I suspect it's more that they just don't understand marketing. There are of course exceptions (e.g. Aviva), but generally you don't see many big companies sponsoring stadia - even though they have the money to. That's either because they feel they don't need to, or they think it's a waste of money (or possibly both).

[EalingGreen]

There are of course exceptions (e.g. Aviva), but generally you don't see many big companies sponsoring stadia - even though they have the money to. Really?.

It's enormous business in the US, with massive companies paying over gazillions to sponsor sports and other entertainment venues. While as this article shows, even in 2021 it was coming over to Europe, especially with German football stadia, but also in Italy and England:
https://stadiumdb.com/news/2021/01/the_sponsors_of_stadiums_and_clubs_in_european_foo tball

Of course such companies concentrate on stadia belonging to big, successful clubs, but the only thing holding them back in England, at least, is where a stadium has iconic status like eg Anfield or Old Trafford, meaning a sponsor's name may not "stick". And even that can be overcome eg:
"Twickenham is to be renamed Allianz Stadium from September after the Rugby Football Union (RFU) signed a long-term deal with the insurance company - stadium sponsorship is eighth for insurance giant, including Allianz Arena in Munich, Allianz Parque in São Paulo and multi-purpose venue in Sydney."

And see what happens eg should Man U move to a new stadium, or when Everton move into Bramley Moor Docks (assuming they're still in the PL).

Meanwhile, the only reason Spurs haven't sold out to a stadium sponsor so far, is because they're targeting a huge, global "name", such as Nike or Netflix etc, with talk of either a 20 year deal at £25m a year, or 25 years at £20m (can't remember which) = £0.5bn! (Juventus took nearly 6 years after the opening of their new stadium before attracting Allianz)

Not that such names or figures have much relevance to football stadia in Ireland, North or South, at least so long as they remain in the state they're in!

[Straightstory]

United Park
O2 Park
Hunky Dorys Park
Head In The Game Park
Weavers Park
Sullivan and Lambe Park

Quite the mouthful, should’ve just gone with Lambe Park and they might’ve pulled in a few extra families mistaking it for a petting zoo :D

https://droghedaunited.ie/sullivanlambe/

Nobody - I mean absolutely nobody - is ever going to call it that.

[2 Year Contract]

Nobody - I mean absolutely nobody - is ever going to call it that.
As Another Bohemia mentioned above, the sponsored name will be used on radio, TV, newspapers and on official club/league/FAI social media accounts. I agree though that the vast majority of supporters, including myself, won’t use the sponsored name (I say vast majority because I did see a few fans of various clubs use the name Weavers Park during their sponsorship)

[pineapple stu]

Well one example I can think of is the point. It originally changed to the O2 arena and is now the 3 arena (not due to new sponsorship now but O2 pulling out of the Irish market and 3 taking their place) but I don't think I've ever heard anyone call it the O2 since it changed. On the america point I know the Denver broncos stadium has has a few name changes and the same can be said for the Seahawks stadium in Seattle.

Lastly the value in these naming rights isn't Joe Blogs saying I'm going to Hunky Dory Park/Head in the game park/ whatever the new name is. It's actually in the announcements around the event. Local media will say Drogheda are playing Bohs in whatever the current name is and obviously the higher profile the event the more lucrative the naming rights. Just think about the Taylor Swift gig at the Aviva stadium. It's almost always mentioned where the event is because it's necessary information and is now being used as covert brand advertising
I get that - though obviously this isn't the Aviva or the 2.3 Arena, and it's a fifth name in about ten years, not a long-standing name. It's also much smaller scale in terms of exposure. Is it even worth the money being put in? Is there another way someone interested in getting involved with the club could put money in?

I just dislike stadium sponsorship in general - you end up with a bland, meaningless, confusing set of ground names that change every few years. It's boring, and it takes away a small part of a club's and even a league's culture and identity.

[nr637]

Some mention of new works planned for Markets field, cant rem where i read it.

Anyone on here know anything?

Maybe considering installing new terracing behind the goal at the West bank end or maybe on the popular side!

[Nesta99]

I get that - though obviously this isn't the Aviva or the 2.3 Arena, and it's a fifth name in about ten years, not a long-standing name. It's also much smaller scale in terms of exposure. Is it even worth the money being put in? Is there another way someone interested in getting involved with the club could put money in?

I just dislike stadium sponsorship in general - you end up with a bland, meaningless, confusing set of ground names that change every few years. It's boring, and it takes away a small part of a club's and even a league's culture and identity.

Allianz have managed that just on their own!! In a time that Oriel Park wont only interest companies that deal in rustic charm, I could see and accept a name adjustment on Oriel, if the money is worth it - Sony have a number of business connections with the locality so PS6 Oriel Park on an nice new ground for a 2027/28 Irish launch ;)

I still use Lansdowne Rd. At this stage though United Park isnt automatically known as home of DUFC though that could change back with the current name just being too much so fans revert. Still think sponsorships are not working properly when nobody has a notion what it is nor care (betting sponsors' controversy and publicity do in their own way), when not just a way that some local business can give a few Euro to a club.

[Nesta99]

Maybe considering installing new terracing behind the goal at the West bank end or maybe on the popular side!

Irish West Bank developments could be interestingly reported in Israeli media....

[brendy_éire]

Derry City are in talks with the Council over purchasing land at Templemore Sports Complex for a dedicated academy/training centre.
It's a fairly large site in the northwest of city, and currently has numerous pitches and a leisure centre. The centre is dated and needs development, so a payment from the club to the council probably sounds attractive to councillors.
Interesting point that if it went through, it would free up 20-25 hours of council pitch time.
Bar any legal issues, can't imagine this wouldn't happen.

https://www.derrynow.com/news/local-news/1697603/council-to-hold-discussions-with-derry-city-fc-over-templemore-site.html

[Nesta99]

Its a bit mad that Derry Council/Stormont pay for the development of the Brandywell and then Derry City may buy a facility off the council after. Its like the funding of one has allowed the proposal and payment of another. Fair play to DCFC if it happens with the win win secnario but a totally indifferent say GAA person would be losing the head. Maybe if a club's owner is worth a couple of billion then there should be an argument that public funding shouldnt be granted?

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Its a bit mad that Derry Council/Stormont pay for the development of the Brandywell and then Derry City may buy a facility off the council after. Its like the funding of one has allowed the proposal and payment of another. Fair play to DCFC if it happens with the win win secnario but a totally indifferent say GAA person would be losing the head. Maybe if a club's owner is worth a couple of billion then there should be an argument that public funding shouldnt be granted?

Do GAA people not just lose the head every time another sport gets funding ?

[brendy_éire]

I'd look at the Brandywell and the academy/training centre as two separate things.
The council probably don't want the Templemore site in its entirety anyway. They've had some new pitches elsewhere recently, and if the money from DCFC can help pay for the new leisure centre there, it makes sense. The council can't sell it for non-sporting purposes (would be worth a fortune to a property developer), so now is probably the time for any other sporting body to get a bid in.

I suppose O'Doherty would argue he isn't technically the owner of DCFC, and just because he's wealthy, doesn't mean the club (or the city as a whole) should be excluded from state funding.

[cláirseach]

The Templemore purchase / lease makes complete sense to me from the point of view of both the council and club.

[nigel-harps1954]

Had often thought Templemore would have been an ideal spot for Derry to develop a new stadium of their own. It's gone awfully run down this past decade or so, and has a lot of potential for a really good base.

[EatYerGreens]

Do GAA people not just lose the head every time another sport gets funding ?

Whilst also getting serious amounts of funding for their sport, and pretending they don't and that it's instead all down to "all dee little people knocking on dee doors around dee parish for dee pasht 500 yeurrrs'

[pateen]

Whilst also getting serious amounts of funding for their sport, and pretending they don't and that it's instead all down to "all dee little people knocking on dee doors around dee parish for dee pasht 500 yeurrrs'

Oh holy mother of fúck, always one :rolleyes:

[EatYerGreens]

Oh holy mother of fúck, always one :rolleyes:

Which of these things are you disputing:

a) That the GAA likes to talk about itself as being self-funding, and a lot of people in the GAA complain about other sports having the hand out.
b) That the GAA right across the country benefits from a lot of public funding - both directy and indirectly (e.g. transfers of land to develop facilities on etc).

[pateen]

Which of these things are you disputing:

a) That the GAA likes to talk about itself as being self-funding, and a lot of people in the GAA complain about other sports having the hand out.
b) That the GAA right across the country benefits from a lot of public funding - both directy and indirectly (e.g. transfers of land to develop facilities on etc).

Neither. It's your quote in some sort redneck hilly billy type speak. Like as if all all GAA Fans talk that way. Makes me wonder who the real red is here.

[EatYerGreens]

Neither. It's your quote in some sort redneck hilly billy type speak. Like as if all all GAA Fans talk that way. Makes me wonder who the real red is here.

So you didn't disagree with the actual point, you were just being humourless and over-sensitive :ball:

[John83]

So you didn't disagree with the actual point, you were just being humourless and over-sensitive :ball:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1BneeJTDcU

[lofty9]

Its a bit mad that Derry Council/Stormont pay for the development of the Brandywell and then Derry City may buy a facility off the council after. Its like the funding of one has allowed the proposal and payment of another. Fair play to DCFC if it happens with the win win secnario but a totally indifferent say GAA person would be losing the head. Maybe if a club's owner is worth a couple of billion then there should be an argument that public funding shouldnt be granted?

Each and every GAA club in Derry City has their own pitches, clubhouse and land, mostly handed to them on a plate. They don't need to raise their head above the parapet on this one. Also, there is a very good relationship between the two Derry organisations, with Owenbeg in Dungiven now being Derry's training base for the foreseeable until this new training complex is complete.

[Buckett]

Why don't Derry train at the Brandywell?

[Nesta99]

Each and every GAA club in Derry City has their own pitches, clubhouse and land, mostly handed to them on a plate. They don't need to raise their head above the parapet on this one. Also, there is a very good relationship between the two Derry organisations, with Owenbeg in Dungiven now being Derry's training base for the foreseeable until this new training complex is complete.

You dont think they'd try? As an organisation? Im sure Joe Brolly would have nothing to say on it...

[A N Mouse]

Why don't Derry train at the Brandywell?

Take your pick
It's still a council/community facility. And while dcfc matches may take precedence it's not exclusively the club's to use.
Facilities wouldn't be big enough or have everything required of a training base.(Our injury lists would probably require a small hospital)
We don't really want the artificial pitch

[pineapple stu]

Do any clubs train on their main pitch these days? It'd be a mess if it was in use every day, surely?

Edit - forget the Brandywell was plastic these days of course

[pateen]

So you didn't disagree with the actual point, you were just being humourless and over-sensitive :ball:

Neither interested in your point nor sensitive mate. Just pointing out your attempt at humour in your view of GAA fans.
I love most sports and am first to criticise the GAA, just wouldn't stereotype GAA or LOI fans either, that way

[nigel-harps1954]

Do any clubs train on their main pitch these days? It'd be a mess if it was in use every day, surely?

Edit - forget the Brandywell was plastic these days of course

Harps largely train in Finn Park once the weather fairs up a bit from March or April onwards.

[Nesta99]

Neither interested in your point nor sensitive mate. Just pointing out your attempt at humour in your view of GAA fans.
I love most sports and am first to criticise the GAA, just wouldn't stereotype GAA or LOI fans either, that way

Slight Louth variant would fit and is funny - North Louth Mid Louth or South Louth, in each distinct accent, petrified that one of the others gets the money being dropped in to the collection basket and would dive in after the 25c if it was going to the wrong gang. Just see Louth County Ground for reference.

[dundalkfc10]

Slight Louth variant would fit and is funny - North Louth Mid Louth or South Louth, in each distinct accent, petrified that one of the others gets the money being dropped in to the collection basket and would dive in after the 25c if it was going to the wrong gang. Just see Louth County Ground for reference.

I'd go to most Louth games and would go my local clubs senior games whenever I can, but I've never really understood why Louth never built a stadium beside United Park in Drogheda where they played for years. It has loads of room, and I wouldn't even think they would have to take out the 2nd pitch on the ground there's that much room.
I know the club probably own the grounds but surely they would be delighted with a brand new stadium for them to use aswell
Any idea why it never went there and they went with Dundalk instead?

[EatYerGreens]

Neither interested in your point nor sensitive mate. Just pointing out your attempt at humour in your view of GAA fans.
I love most sports and am first to criticise the GAA, just wouldn't stereotype GAA or LOI fans either, that way

Not interested in a point that you've responded to 3 times now? :confused:

I'm a GAA fan myself. My post was mocking culchie accents. I apologise for being the first person in Irish history ever to have poked fun at culchies.

Now move on :rolleyes:

[Nesta99]

I'd go to most Louth games and would go my local clubs senior games whenever I can, but I've never really understood why Louth never built a stadium beside United Park in Drogheda where they played for years. It has loads of room, and I wouldn't even think they would have to take out the 2nd pitch on the ground there's that much room.
I know the club probably own the grounds but surely they would be delighted with a brand new stadium for them to use aswell
Any idea why it never went there and they went with Dundalk instead?

Youve hit on one of the main issues, The O'Raghallaighs would have had to give up ownership of their ground to Croke Park to get any GAA funding, county board would manage the facilty with the club having no say on fixture priorities. For whatever benefits there may have been they ultimately refused to hand over control as control is big currency in GAA minds especially in Louth. The area is already congested with ridiculously poor access to a L2 trauma centre (United Park often serves as the heli access) so even more road congestion for county and club games, training, underage, women etc would have been a planning nightmare. When would the club squeeze in their games? Dundalk was the traditional designation where county games were held, politics had it move to the O'Raghalaighs out of Dowdalshill when the pitch was deemed too short, when there were better options tbh and politics moved it back to Dundalk albeit to a new dedicated ground (south Louth clubs boycotted financial contributions for ages until they didnt get All Ireland tickets one year and they started paying their dues). DkIT Stadium would have been the best option in conjunction with other sports but Louth GAA aka Fitzer at the time wanted to go it alone and that has been a spectacular success.

[TonyD]

The Templemore purchase / lease makes complete sense to me from the point of view of both the council and club.

Maybe it’s just me, but is it not strange that Derry would not prioritise owning their stadium before looking at buying a training facility ? Or is there more to it, is the Council not willing to let them buy the Brandywell ?

[EalingGreen]

Maybe it’s just me, but is it not strange that Derry would not prioritise owning their stadium before looking at buying a training facility ? Or is there more to it, is the Council not willing to let them buy the Brandywell ?
The Council may be restricted by the terms of ownership they inherited from the original owners, The Honourable the Irish Company:
(Per Wiki):
"Plans of Derry City's to purchase a pitch fell through after their formation due to the tight timescale between their birth in 1928 and the season's beginning in 1929 and so the Londonderry Corporation (now known as the Derry City Council) was approached for the use of the Brandywell Stadium which had been used for football up until the end of the 19th century. This began an association between the club and the ground which has survived until the present day. The club are still operating under the constraints of the Honourable the Irish Society charter limitations which declare that the Brandywell must be available for the recreation of the community. In effect, the club do not have private ownership over the ground and, thus, cannot develop it by their own accord with that discretion being left to the Derry City Council."

The above may not be entirely accurate, or at least up-to-date, since it refers eg to "Derry City Council", which hasn't existed since 2015 That said, the terms of the Charter are going to be the same for the new Council as the former one, and I'd say "recreation of the community" precludes them from selling it to any private entity.

[EatYerGreens]

The Council may be restricted by the terms of ownership they inherited from the original owners, The Honourable the Irish Company:
(Per Wiki):
"Plans of Derry City's to purchase a pitch fell through after their formation due to the tight timescale between their birth in 1928 and the season's beginning in 1929 and so the Londonderry Corporation (now known as the Derry City Council) was approached for the use of the Brandywell Stadium which had been used for football up until the end of the 19th century. This began an association between the club and the ground which has survived until the present day. The club are still operating under the constraints of the Honourable the Irish Society charter limitations which declare that the Brandywell must be available for the recreation of the community. In effect, the club do not have private ownership over the ground and, thus, cannot develop it by their own accord with that discretion being left to the Derry City Council."

The above may not be entirely accurate, or at least up-to-date, since it refers eg to "Derry City Council", which hasn't existed since 2015 That said, the terms of the Charter are going to be the same for the new Council as the former one, and I'd say "recreation of the community" precludes them from selling it to any private entity.

Covenants - especially if they've been around for a long time - are often not the barrier they may seem. The 2 key questions would be 'Is it still enforceable' and 'Who would enforce it'? The club/council could reach an arrngement with the Honourable Irish Society over it all. If there's no real benefit to insisting upon/enforcing a covenant any more then a deal can often be done.

[EalingGreen]

Covenants - especially if they've been around for a long time - are often not the barrier they may seem. The 2 key questions would be 'Is it still enforceable' and 'Who would enforce it'? The club/council could reach an arrngement with the Honourable Irish Society over it all. If there's no real benefit to insisting upon/enforcing a covenant any more then a deal can often be done.As a general principle, you're right on both counts.

But as regards the latter question ("who?"), you may find the Honourable would not want to see the ground sold to a private entity, especially one owned/run by a billionaire, since they are still very active in the community and charitable sphere:
"In most years, The Irish Society makes around 100 small grants to groups or individuals in County Londonderry. These are made on a cross-community basis, to organisations or individuals in the voluntary sector, such as community groups, sports clubs and other such groupings, entirely on the basis of need. For instance, in 2010-11 a number of local junior football, rugby and Gaelic clubs benefited, along with youth organisations and senior citizens’ groups, from Ballysally in Coleraine to the Creggan in Derry. An elected cross-party committee of councillors and officers from Causeway Coast & Glens Borough, Derry City & Strabane District and Mid-Ulster District Councils plays the main role in assessing applications and allocating funds."
https://honourableirishsociety.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/

[EatYerGreens]

As a general principle, you're right on both counts.

But as regards the latter question ("who?"), you may find the Honourable would not want to see the ground sold to a private entity, especially one owned/run by a billionaire, since they are still very active in the community and charitable sphere:
"In most years, The Irish Society makes around 100 small grants to groups or individuals in County Londonderry. These are made on a cross-community basis, to organisations or individuals in the voluntary sector, such as community groups, sports clubs and other such groupings, entirely on the basis of need. For instance, in 2010-11 a number of local junior football, rugby and Gaelic clubs benefited, along with youth organisations and senior citizens’ groups, from Ballysally in Coleraine to the Creggan in Derry. An elected cross-party committee of councillors and officers from Causeway Coast & Glens Borough, Derry City & Strabane District and Mid-Ulster District Councils plays the main role in assessing applications and allocating funds."
https://honourableirishsociety.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/

This is conjecture though. I have no doubt a deal could be done, as these sorts of things get done all the time. For example - Derry council could say they'd use some/all of the sale proceeds to further sport elsewhere in the city, or to advance whatever other objectives the Honorable Irish Society has.

[EalingGreen]

This is conjecture though. I have no doubt a deal could be done, as these sorts of things get done all the time. For example - Derry council could say they'd use some/all of the sale proceeds to further sport elsewhere in the city, or to advance whatever other objectives the Honorable Irish Society has.Then why didn't the Honourable sell it to the highest bidder in the first place, or redevelop it, rather than gifting it to the Corporation? And why insert those Covenants?

Fair enough if they were now defunct, but they're still very active in the charity/community sector and likely wouldn't want to see it go to someone who would restrict its use solely for the benefit of DCFC, on a purely commercial basis?

And why would D&S Council have been spending their own money on it if they could have sold it before now to raise money and get it off their hands?

You may be right, but I'd guess otherwise.

[EatYerGreens]

Then why didn't the Honourable sell it to the highest bidder in the first place, or redevelop it, rather than gifting it to the Corporation? And why insert those Covenants?

I've no idea. You don't appear to know either. And I've no idea if anyone else does too :D Did they ever try and sell anything there? Bear in mind that they were an embodiment of the plantation, so may well have thought it wisest to gift the things they had (which were essentially pilfered off the natives) to the city? All moot conjecture, unless someone actually knows.


Fair enough if they were now defunct, but they're still very active in the charity/community sector and likely wouldn't want to see it go to someone who would restrict its use solely for the benefit of DCFC, on a purely commercial basis?

And why would D&S Council have been spending their own money on it if they could have sold it before now to raise money and get it off their hands?

Again - just conjecture on your part, unless you have some specific knowledge of the workings and rationale of either body.


You may be right, but I'd guess otherwise.

Time may well tell on this, who knows. Though we may both be long dead before it bothers to :D