I see some (another) crowd of chancers want to take over Dundalk. They plan such revolutionary changes as..checks notes..solar panels, a coffee shop that opens all week and talks from ex Premier League footballers.
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I see some (another) crowd of chancers want to take over Dundalk. They plan such revolutionary changes as..checks notes..solar panels, a coffee shop that opens all week and talks from ex Premier League footballers.
Going from chatting about category 4 stadiums to opening a coffee shop in about 4 lines of that statement is hilarious,bizarre!
They would have to call it Oriel Perk.Quote:
Originally Posted by Longfordian
So Kerry’s owners has left them and is now buying Dundalk. Mother of god we have a brilliantly mad league :D
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/...-41276785.html
That’s mental,what a league!
Which is about all the assurance available, as Kerry's own statement is little more than flannel:
https://kerryfc.com/kerry-fc-statement-24-11-23/
Not to steal anyones thunder but this will all end in tears!Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract
My main concerns at this very early stage would be:
1. the ease at which he has jumped ship from Kerry after just 1 year
2. the fact that Kerry's statement confirmed the other Boston based backers will be staying invested in Kerry
3. it is reported in one of the articles that he is buying the club by himself, but with a view to also bringing additional investment in. How are we to know that will materialise
4. his actual personal net worth appears to be between €1-5m based on what I have seen. Combine that with point #3 above and that could bring issues
I could be premature with these concerns and maybe once this is all announced officially some of this will be addressed up front.
His modus operandi seems to be eschewing significant financial investment himself in clubs, but rather leveraging his business connections in order to do so. As such, as you say, I'd be more concerned at how quickly he decided to leave Kerry, rather than whether he'll be able to cobble together a consortium.
Likw HS I'll reserve judgement also, mainly due to this for now...
"It’s believed that Ainscough has indicated in his negotiations with Dundalk that he will likely have other backers coming in with him but he has completed this deal himself and will be driving plans forward".
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...588957465.html
Complete speculation throughout possibly from media in the absence of any further detail, but if this is the nuts and bolts of the takeover well its a bit Roddy Collins sounding of different times and tbh i might even be less wtf is going on if it were a Rod Squad & Son takeover. Usually at this stage there are the usual soundbites on due diligence etc from outgoing owners, may yet happen of course.
I dont recall ever seeing a 'If LoI had an anthem' thread, right now something like Super massive blackhole (done by Spitting Image with all our leading league characters....) fits the bill on a few levels.
For any fan, and with any club, its only natural to be cautious with a takeover and more so from DFC point of view given so many recently, just did a count back and may have missed some and some years might be out a fraction, but this won't be far out.
Seaons
2024 - Brian Ainscough led
2022-2023 - StatSports 66.6% / Andy Connolly (co-owner of Fastfix) 33.3%
2017 - 2021 - P6
2013- 2017 - FastFix (recruited Kenny)
2003-2013 - Gerry Matthews
2000-2002 - Co-Op
up to 1999 - Local Board / Business / PLC
A point a lot seem to get wrong is P6 timing, the peak (no pun intended) for me with Dundalk was 2015-2017 (before they took over), may seem odd to include 2017 as was the only year from 2014-2019 didn't win league, but was on the back of the 2015 double, continuous cup final appearances and decent to ok euro performances plus the amazing 2016 euro run.
What will 2024 bring, not sure, mid table would be nice, but if things had not changed, it would have been a fairly grim season with not too much expectation other than to stay up.
This takeover offers at least a budget to be competitive, I wouldn't think too much more than that on the first year, where after that, no idea, but again, I would not have been looking forward to 2024 if things had not changed.
I'm sure this will all end well for dundalk.:)
Ye never know, If its half as bad as the last time that was said it'll include 1 league and cup + another 'trophy'. Careful what you wish for!
I think 2 leagues as P6 would have been onboard for 2018 and 2019 and also the second EL group stage of 2020. The other trophy guessing is the 2019 League Cup, will we hold that forever as last winners?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
But the stand out stat is still the frequency of owners, 3rd since 2017.
Seemingly DFC confirming tomorrow am with FAI ratification, that its all completed.
Kerry's Eye have an article today on last week's events - it appears Ainscough didn't so much as give the Kerry FC board any notice about his decision to switch clubs before the Examiner story broke, and even Billy Dennehy was only informed through a third party!
Sounds like a classy individual. He’ll fit in well up there at leastQuote:
Originally Posted by culloty82
Meaning?Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract
He’ll fit in well with the other classy individuals at the clubQuote:
Originally Posted by mcgonigle
Takeover complete.
https://www.dundalkfc.com/club-state...over-complete/
If I was Dundalk player being offered a contract renewal this week I would be looking for evidence Ainscough has the funds in place for this takeoverQuote:
Originally Posted by holidaysong
I'd love to think that part of the process with the FAI was showing that the finances of a new owner held up to scrutiny.
On his intervew wth Gav, it means little but it was kind of refreshing to have no grandiose promises, quietly spoken man who seems pretty down to earth and pragmatic. If he can keep to his financial obligations, bring in additional money, then maybe just maybe a balance has been found between the investor type and the local business people.
New kit, new sponsor, ticket price freeze, and seemingly new signings already in the works and to be announced soon so not a bad start. Insisting that Hoban is under contract and will remain at the club is at least an interesting stance and it implies that fees will be involved in a move rather than being released from a contract to save on money.
Such as?Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract
https://m.independent.ie/sport/socce...705886381.html
Piece on Ainsclough departing Kerry and taking Dundalk over,I’d be a bit worried about Kerry reading some of that,there’s no way you’d fully trust the investors left behind ….
He does not come across well in that interview at all.
Hopefully Kerry will be ok, but couldn't imagine Dundalk fans are too happy either. Seems happy to do whatever he likes for his own gain, basically admitted as much. Where would he be off to next, when the opportunity arises?
The Hoban situation is a bit clearer now, not being offloaded to cut money. So its a managerial decsion from the clubs angle, does the manager want to keep him and the only reason for no imo is if S'OD thinks 2 or 3 players in for Hobans wage is preferable. Maybe Hoban staying with an improved budget with larger squad is possible. Alternatively all this was Hoban or agent agitating for a conract extension, improved terms or off to another club. Money wasnt there to honour, improve or extend a contract but now that potebtial bluff has been called and we will see how committed to Dundalk Hoban really is when there is a valid choice. Maybe im being a bit unfair and Hoban really is Dundalk through and through but I think when it boils down to it most players are loyal to the best paymaster irrespective of what they say to protest against a 'forced' move.
As expected Ainscough has admitted like with Kerry he is a frontman relying on being potentially funded by US investors and suggests some of them may be Kerry's financial backers I don't think things can possibly be business as usual for Kerry for next season
I can already hear the rattling of the bucket collections around Oriel Park this summer to pay for Hoban's wages
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/...-41281726.html
A sound of rattling will be 550k due to DFC in the summer from UEFA from last season, however obv no euro monies due in 2025, but key is to qualify for europe for 2025 season.
Budget will be similar to 2023.
Nah we've started Oriel Park modernisation already, gone all PDQs for future whip arounds.Quote:
Originally Posted by total hoofball
Amazing how we all perceive things differently because I thought he was very confident and assured throughout that interview. I really like him and I'm quite happy with him at the helm.(and I'm someone who can be called a dlk septic sceptic blxx btw ?)Quote:
Originally Posted by brendy_éire
He might only last 3 years but he'll add extra value to the club along the way imo.
No matter what way you look at it, Ainscough has been a self-cenntred sh!t towards Kerry FC here. Like dumping your new bride a few weeks after the wedding because a more glamorous girl has made eyes at you.Quote:
Originally Posted by joey B
I'll reserve judgement until we see some players confirmed, a week or more after the official confirm on takeover, only 2 players announced one is squad player and both only 1 year contract extensions or option to extend triggered. Still no confirm if Hoban is staying or not, that can't be too hard to sort out, 1/ He's under contract 2/ He's leaving if transfer fee can be agreed, still bizarre the whole thing about Hoban, unless its his agent or prev owners.Quote:
Originally Posted by ToberonaTornado
The new regime need to get a move on with player recruitment as we have already seen 3 leaving, maybe only 1 a confirmed starter (Dan Kelly) but still its more out than in.
None of my business obviously but a lot of his quotes would concern me if it were -
“The idea is that we could get some portable stands that aren’t expensive to dress up the facility, put some red and black seating rather than grey out there. Those cosmetic things will make the fans feel that we’re doing something.
“We did a bit down in Mounthawk and they thought we were building Wembley. Something like that is not out of the realm for next season but not 2024,”
https://www.independent.ie/regionals...871036082.html
Honestly any improvement on Oriel park should be welcomed. They are in the position where a stand like the Mono in Dalymount would be a drastic improvement for their away supporters. Trying to find a perfect solution shouldn't stand in the way of smaller improvements like that which will improve the match day experience and could increase the capacity of the ground.Quote:
Originally Posted by WeAreRovers
I think it's the attitude which is the issue though. 'Look at how little we had to do in Kerry to appease the natives. So let's look to get away with the same up in Dundalk!'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Another Bohemia
As long as he's acknowledging that it is putting make up on a pig I'm not sure I'd be too concerned. I think he's more speaking to how low the expectations for facilities are within the league that doing basically the bare minimum can be seen as building Wembley. As with all things though we'll have to wait and see and honestly I wouldn't be surprised if I'm wrong and Oriel stays the exact same as it is now and Dundalk are looking for another owner in ~5 yearsQuote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Exactly how I read it.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
A couple of those stands wouldn't cost an arm and a leg and would be a significant improvement, but it reads more like a Wexford style pop up stand he's targeting, which would be awful.Quote:
Originally Posted by Another Bohemia
Im not sure the full context or tone of those comments come across fairly in that piece. Imo it was a fair question reasonably answered. To paraphrase in an attempt to set a broader tone: A lot needs to be done "We’d love to have a magic wand and do it all in one day but it will take a while.” In the short term there is no reason not to improve whats there eg portable stands, replace existing seating, cosmetic stuff that the fans will appreciate while there are bigger plans put in place. Small things matter to fans eg a small development in Mounthawk and fans felt as good as if we were building Wembley. There is a committee in place already that has started the process of addressing infrastructure issues but there hasnt been time to get stuck in to that yet, there are more pressing issues - 1st team and European qualification, pressing pitch and floodlighting to meet licencing requirements but SPG application is submitted and hopefully will help address those immediate facility issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by WeAreRovers
On being asked when would even portable stands happen, the rsponse was an honest it'd likely be 2025 as there just isnt the time for 2024 season start with everything else that has to be done by then. It can be done at not outrageous cost in the short term. Training facilities and pitch capacity for other teams and academy growth were also mentioned as high priority. Martin Connolly spoke on this sort of stuff eg where Liam Burns being drafted in as a 1st team coach took him away from successful community coaching and engagement and that there needs to be a return to this and rebuild the connect between club and community.
Is this chap the worlds greatest orator, nope, but there is no faux fanfare apparent. I think he is honest and sincere in his responses to the questions. Does he have the resources to fulfill even the most basic costs involved well who knows and time will tell. It is different from the bluster of high profile CEOs in past like Mal, Jim Magilton:rolleyes:the big talkers from P6, Mike Tracey aside, the pure BS Bill thinking buzzwords like analytics would overshadow his 'braveheart' play or keepers taking thow-ins. Then practically complete silence from recent owners so maybe we have the bar set low and are blindsided by some reasonable straight talking. But I think selective quotes from a full press conference as per the above misrepresents tone and context! I dont think the media piece is detailed or long enough to take too much from it but if just going on this media piece though, I can see how it sounds disparaging to Kerry Fc and the 'throw a few scraps and the locals will be happy' slant.
Its not that long ago that sorting 'The Puddle' and a lick of paint would please fans - portable stand units behind each goal and we would have the Wemblies....for a wee while anyway.
There's already a squad of 13(Hoban among them)so say your aiming for a squad of 19/20 we're not far away from that and negotiations are ongoing with Weir from drogs and McCormack from Pat's on the radar and I hear a new keeper coming from Scotland is being lined up.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
Dundalk fans have absolutely no patience,proven time and again.