Well, well, well, what do we make of this?: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018...audi-takeover/
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Well, well, well, what do we make of this?: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018...audi-takeover/
When people think of a Saudi takeover they imagine the crown prince pumping in millions but this could be just some joe soap chancers.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
Galway close in on Saudi Arabia takeover?
Not sure Riyadh is ready yet for the infidel delights of Eyre Square tbh.
A Saudi version of Nick Leeson? I'm pretty dubious.
What? What a strange post to make.Quote:
Originally Posted by CorribsideSteve
Nick Leeson was the club's CEO, not an investor or owner. He was appointed by the club's board at the time, which was largely made up of local businessmen and had zero supporter input.
Co-op members will decide this when they vote on whether it goes ahead or not after the facts are presented to them at an EGM next week, I would not jump into this two footed or discount it either until things become clearer.
Why is a small Irish football club looking to takeover Saudi Arabia ?! :confused:
Will they ban women from the games?
And beer.....pity I liked the bar in Galway
Saudis got rid of that before the season started.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
Maybe they'll lift the club's ban on football :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Longfordian
Instead of crisps and minerals it’ll be dates and water. GUFC fans putting tea towels over their heads to welcome their new overlords.
Any more bad jokes about the Saudi's and heads will roll!!:knife:
Its hard to know whether this is good or bad for Galway. If it were us I'd be very much against it, but they have much less to lose than we do. They have a trust in place and if they do get bought out or hand over the club they can continue raising funds in the background to be ready in case it doesn't work out again.
I'm sure the FAI will carry out proper due diligence and we'll all sleep comfortably in our beds, but we might see John Delaney muttering in full-blown Lady Macbeth mode before too long: 'All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.'
Its a disaster waiting to happen!! Sure look what Arkaga did, so nooooo to inward investment in League of Ireland!!
True enough but will the fundraising continue if there is the perception of a big bankroller behind the scenes?Quote:
Originally Posted by El-Pietro
In any case, Galway is probably the right place for a trial like this. They have no real support in the city, no football history and never will have so if they have a few good years of success before the rug is pulled then why not?
For sure. but Galway will go for it, in the hope of instant success.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Course they will. Who wouldn’t. Limerick would have the falcons on the roof of the Markets Field already if it was them instead of Galway.
As I said, I'd be against it at my club. But when you look at Waterford who have gone from irrelavance to being on the brink of Europe and you look at Galway and how far they are from the top of the first division, and their crowds you'd wonder if its worth the roll of the dice in their case. Maybe I'm more open to this because I saw them in Cobh last week and they looked dire. Obviously its unfair to judge them based on one game, and I'm used to watching the Champions but they were very poor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
I was very much against the Dundalk investment because it sounds a lot like Arkaga, and I may well be wrong on that. Its still too early to judge of course.
You would hope they would keep the trust in place but they may not do. It really depends on what the investors have to say about their plans. FORAS originated as a trust with aims to fund facilities, and was quickly repurposed. Maybe GUST can find a different focal point if they do sell, maybe something with youth football, or to fund the academy, something just to keep the structures in place.Quote:
Originally Posted by dong
Why wouldn't a consortium 'invest' in a League of Ireland club, bucket loads of cash to be profited from a sure bet win-win of a league exceeding anything to be seen in the arab oil fields
It's not just Galway attracting interest from further afield, I'm hearing Cabinteely are subject to interest from the same guys from Qatar who bought the 2022 World Cup and even Firhouse Clover are subject to a proposed takeover by some Bahraini lads
Firhouse are in merger talks with near neighbours Shams, the amalgamation it's expected to be done for the 2019 season when they will launch as Shamrock Clovers.Quote:
Originally Posted by total hoofball
Bravo
Not everyone in Saudi owns an oil well :o
True.Quote:
Originally Posted by disgruntled
They also have gas.
Attachment 2690
Galway United fans celebrate after scoring a goal last night.
https://www.businesspost.ie/business/saudi-firm-set-invest-seven-figure-sum-galway-united-418704
Article is behind a paywall, but title indicates a substantial investment. They'll be wanting to challenge for a European spot fairly quickly for a return!
New manager ahoy surely
Andre Villas Boas 4/1
Avram Grant 9/2
Roddy Collins 13/2
Not many of them in the First Division ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Buller
Ebbe SandQuote:
Originally Posted by Treaty Gooner
Sandy Clark
(Obviously...)
Joe Gamble
(Because it's a big one...)
Kevin Sheikhdy
(OK, coat, hat, door...)
Sven Goran Eriksson the dark horse at 7/1.Quote:
Originally Posted by Treaty Gooner
This seems to be a serious Offer we will know more when we get info packs.
http://2dy51.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/2yaiqmvsk7f.html
Galway United Friends Co-operative SGM
Press Release on SGM
The Following Press Statement will be released today. Please note that a more detailed infromation pack will be sent only to members in advance of the meeting (24-48 hours before). For lapsed members that wish to renew their membership online please go to the co-op website (gufc-coop.com). If any member would like to submit any questions in advance please do so to info@gufc-coop.com. This will assist us in the preparation of the members information pack.
Press Statement 13/06/2018
Further to recent media reports the board of Galway United FC can confirm an offer has been received to take a majority shareholding in the club.
Galway United FC is 100% owned by the Galway United Friends Co-operative, and at the Special General Meeting (SGM) that has been called to discuss this offer, each co-op member that can attend will vote and ultimately make the decision in relation to the proposed investment. Galway United Friends Co-operative is owned and democratically controlled by its members and is operated on the principle of “one Member – one Vote”.
The co-op would encourage all paid up members to attend the SGM and have their voice heard by voting on the proposal on the night.
This is a proposed long term investment in Galway United and initial commitments outlined include;
Investment in the first team to target promotion to the Premier Division
1.Investment in the development of the club’s underage infrastructure and youth academy
2.Investment in a Galway United training facility
3.Recruitment of key personnel to ensure right structures are in place both on and off the pitch to support the long-term development of the club. These individuals will be at board level, general management and a director of football.
4.To play a bigger role in the community
Admission to the SGM will be only available to the following members. Members who have paid their full yearly membership (€180 for adults or €90 for concession class) or be part of the monthly payment scheme for at least two months. Members shall be at least 16 years of age, to be admitted to Society meetings. Lapsed members who pay their full yearly membership (€180 or €90) up to 48 hours before the meeting will also be entitled to attend. Lapsed members can make payment via the coop website at www.gufc-coop.com/gufc-sgm-2018/
We recognise that members will need sufficient time to consider this proposal and to this end a meeting information pack will be forwarded to members in advance of the SGM
After all the in fighting and egotistical behaviour from people involved in football in Galway to finally having a fan owned club. You'd think they wouldn't even entertain the idea of someone wanting to take ownership of the club.
Allah Pardew?Quote:
Originally Posted by Eminence Grise
Mecca Hyde?
Riyadh Houghton?
Oh, and I'll be voting yes to abolish blasphemy
Actually I was talking to a Galway fan at work. He said they can't even get 80 people to sign up to the Co op this year. He said the people of Galway have no real interest in the club or football in general but would happily jump on a bandwagon if successful.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean South
The Galway sporting public love a bandwagon. It was Connacht a couple of years ago, now it's the Hurling team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean South
We still have a hardcore of 700 plus even in the 1st division. The interest and Audience is there all it needs is long term investment on and off the field. We actually had 7,600 for a cup game against St. Pats.Quote:
Originally Posted by IsMiseSean
Connacht built their crowds up very well even before they became really competitive. They did a great job getting people in with what is a pretty crappy ground. It helps that rugby has been on the up and people get to see international players there most weeks plus they have resources LOI clubs can only dream of, but their marketing and promotion has been exemplary down the years.Quote:
Originally Posted by IsMiseSean
There must have been an Arabic version of the DVD!!