[SIZE=5]Selective Interpretation - No €172,000 profit in 2010!!
[/SIZE]Unfortunately the quote attributed to Noel Mooney of the FAI is way off the mark for the financial performance for Dundalk FC in 2010 and uses very selective interpretation of the accounts to arrive at that figure as a "profit".
The club did turn in a modest profit last season, which was much needed and very welcome due to the accumulated losses from the previous season. While this has helped to reduce the overall debt, it went nowhere near making the substantial reduction in debt that we need.
When looking at the 2011 season, the concern from 2010 was that if the income from Europe was stripped out, there would actually have been a further loss recorded. Put another way, with no Europa League in 2011, if we repeated the same income and spending as last year we would make a further loss this year.
As anyone who has read Gerry Matthews Q & A with Gavin McLoughlin in the Democrat will realise ( http://blackandwhitetown.squarespace.com/ ) there is a strong ambition to try to drive the club forward on the pitch this season, with a burning desire to qualify for Europe again and to be in contention at the top end of the league
We were delighted to get into Europe and we want to get back into Europe. That would be the ambition.
This, along with some other positive indicators, has given the club the encouragement to substantially increase the playing budget over what was originally proposed. This will require major efforts by all supporters, club volunteers, club staff and the wider business community to try to make the books balance this season.
Any role that any individual can play - be it buying a season ticket. Buying or selling the lotto, joining the Patron Scheme, encouraging others to come to games, selling & returning the Champions League Ticket books etc are absolutely vital.
Further on-field success in the Setanta Sports Cup would help as well!