Goodbye to Galway United as Salthill Devon takeover is completed
The Salthill Devon takeover of Galway United is now complete, making way, the United board of directors say, for National League Football for the west of Ireland.
A strategic review of the way forward for the Galway United club was undertaken and it was decided that to be sucessful the club would need an enhanced structure both in operational and infrastructural resources.
A statemenet issued by the club stated: “Since the current board took over in 2001 it has worked closely with Salthill Devon and given the structure of that organisation and it’s achievements to date, it was the logical choice to evaluate integrating the two clubs. Accordingly, negotiations were entered into by the two entities and agreement has been reached whereby Salthill Devon has assumed ownership and operational control of Galway United with immediate effect.”
In the coming weeks an interim executive for Galway United will be appointed. Thereafter a new board of directors will be constituted, made up of many of those who served on the old Galway United Board, members of Salthill Devon plus a number of new members who, it is hoped, will add weight and energy to the project.
Niall O'Reilly of Galway United says the next step now is the application for a UEFA licence, which is due to be decided on by February. In the meantime, Galway United will not change its name until next year.
"This is a very positive move for the club," said O'Reilly. " For years the club has been wandering aimlessly. It has been on life support, struggling financially, and this is just the opportunity for a great team to grow and develop."
Galway United Supporters Trust, meanwhile, will hold an open forum tonight in Kate's Bar, Galway Shopping Centre at 9.00pm. The main objectives of this forum will be to discuss the recent takeover of the club, and to share information and to decide the future strategy of the Supporters Trust. All members, season ticket holders, club voluntary workers and anyone interested in the survival of Galway United are asked to attend.
Advertiser trying to rise it ?
Both Nial and the writer of the article would be against any name change.
I think that the article is being used as a means of generating support for our cause.
The Tribune used the same tactic. The media is an important tool with which to fight our new owners as (a) we have a lot of media contacts and (b) these
egotists hate bad publicity.
The Sun : "My Salthill hell" - an exclusive Breen Geraghty interview :D
