FORAS Statements 02/09/09

At an Ordinary General Meeting last night, FORAS members voted to cease, with immediate effect, all participation in the management structure agreed with Cork City Investments FC Ltd [CCIFL] earlier this year.

The aim of FORAS has always been, and remains, the long term sustainability of Cork City Football Club. The BoM and our members have worked tirelessly since our inception to ensure this aim is realised and will continue to do so. This work had involved the Trust participating in a number of management committees. The contribution of FORAS members to these committees, and the cost saving achieved through the Trust's involvement, has been well documented in the past.

FORAS has always put the interests of the Trust and the club above personal differences we may have with the current owner we can no longer overlook the growing gulf in relations between the Trust and the owner. Partnership is a two way process but we have seen no indication from CCIFL that it will contribute in a meaningful way to the building of a sustainable football club.

We deplore recent actions by CCIFL in regard to non-payment of employee wages and the apparent lack of urgency by the owner to meet these obligations. We cannot understand how CCIFL has consistently failed to organise fundraising activities to help its loyal employees, instead remaining reliant on gate receipts. We can no longer support the current management structure in CCIFL which has created crisis after crisis resulting in the very future of our beloved club being put in repeated peril.

Following last night’s meeting FORAS wish to reiterate our support for Cork City Football Club, our loyal players and staff in these trying times. The players and staff have our full support as they fight to get their legal entitlements from the club. We again want to put on record our admiration and respect for the employees of the club who have always put the best of interests of the club to the fore, often at great personal loss.

Our commitment and support of Cork City Football Club and its employees remains steadfast and individual members should continue to volunteer if that is their choice. Members have instructed the BoM to focus on strengthening the Trust and exploring alternative avenues through which we can contribute to the Cork City Football Club. Members have mandated the BoM to explore ownership of the youth structures at the club, which have been treated with unacceptable contempt in recent times.

On the first anniversary of the foundation of the Trust we are heartened by the growing interest in the Trust, the significant increase in numbers of supporters joining the Trust and the increased commitment of our members as indicated by the very high turnout at last night’s General Meeting. FORAS grows in strength and determination with each passing week and we mean it when we say “Here Today, Here Forever”.

Regards,
FORAS Board of Management.

FORAS Hardship Fund

In light of the recent well documented media reports that the players of Cork City Football Club have not been paid wages in a timely fashion by CCIFC Ltd, FORAS contacted the PFAI to discuss what the Supporters Trust could do to help alleviate any economic hardship employees may be experiencing as a result.

Following discussion and consultation with our members, FORAS has agreed, in association with the PFAI, to put in place a special fund which will help players overcome any hardship they may be suffering as a direct result of non payment of wages by CCIFC Ltd. The funds will be provided by FORAS and will be held by the PFAI. The distribution of any monies will be done through the players union and their union representative, Stephen McGuiness.

The existence of the fund does not absolve in any way CCIFC Ltd of their obligations and contractual duties to the players.

FORAS have also allocated a sum of money which non playing staff can access if they find themselves suffering similar economic hardship to that of players. FORAS will be in contact today with a representative of the non playing staff to explain the system for requesting these funds.

FORAS again calls on CCIFC Ltd to honour all their obligations to employees in relation to pay and employment rights.

Quality stuff.

Fairplay to Foras. Top work being done by all. The sooner Foras take control the better.

FORAS would like to confirm that our 'Hardship Fund' to provide financial support for Cork City FC players, operated in association with the PFAI, is active. The PFAI will administer the fund should any player require it.

Stephen McGuinness, General Secretary of the players' union, welcomed the contribution from the Supporters' Trust. "On behalf of the Cork City players and the PFAI I'd like to thank FORAS for their financial support in the establishment of the fund."

John O'Sullivan, Chairman of the Supporters Trust, confirmed that the fund will be run confidentially. "We didn't feel it was appropriate that FORAS members, including the Board of Management, knew which players might access the fund. The PFAI will give us a breakdown of the activity on the account in December. The BoM decided that this information will not include player names, to preserve confidentiality."

The fund will, if required, provide bridging loans to players against future wages, to help with specific issues. "We hope that the fund will not need to be used at all" said McGuinness, "but it's a comfort for the players to know that it's there to help them through any financial difficulties, should they face them".

The Hardship Fund for Staff is also active.

Regards,
FORAS BoM