QuoteTakes me back - remember all the posts about which of the big four wasn't spending the most?Originally Posted by thischarmingman
From today's Irish Daily Mail
Derry warned: Your survival is at stake
By: PHILIP QUINN
CRISIS club Derry City are on the brink of demotion to the First Division as punishment for apparent anomalies in their players' contracts for the 2009 season.
The pride of the north-west, currently fourth in the Premier Division ahead of tonight's final game of the season at Dundalk, appear destined for a fall to the lower tier of Irish club football over a relative pittance compared to the £750,000 they owe creditors.
FAI chiefs met behind closed doors last night to decide on Derry's fate with John Delaney, the FAI chief executive, admitting he had 'grave concerns' for the future of the club. Fran Gavin, the League of Ireland director, warned 'the survival of the club is at stake'.
The Derry distress signals were sent out following a summit at Abbotstown on Wednesday night between senior League of Ireland figures and Derry chairman Pat McDaid, the outcome of which prompted Delaney's intervention.
Without being specific about what emerged at the meeting, Delaney outlined a bleak future for the twice league champions.
Pointedly, he did not make reference to the club's huge debts. 'If any club provide material financial information and it's subsequently proven that information is incorrect, then you have to take action. You have to be fair to the clubs who have played by the rules,' said Delaney.
'We got the May accounts earlier from Derry in the year where we noticed things weren't as good as they should have been, after which we put a transfer embargo in to make sure there was no increased spend on bringing in extra players 'I was concerned for Derry then and I'd have graver concerns after what I heard last night,' added Delaney, who said events would move fast and that a decision on Derry's future is likely today.
'We have to deal with the events of last night, which were reported to me, in a difficult manner.
'The outcome of that meeting will be determined pretty quickly. Because if we take certain sanctions, it affects the play-offs,' he added.
That remark suggests there is a distinct possibility that Bray Wanderers, who finished 10th in the Premier Division, may now play ninth-placed Drogheda United in the play-offs, while St Pat's, Sligo Rovers and Galway United could be spared Asked if Derry City would be playing in the Premier Division next season, Delaney said: 'I think their situation is grave. In what guise they survive or in what division they play in will be determined as events unfold, I don't know.
'It's up to the people who run the club to salvage it, but the ramifications of the meeting and the content which was discussed, could be quite severe.' Discrepancies in player contracts appears to be a particular area of FAI concern.
Sportsmail was told of one senior player whose contract, submitted to the FAI, had him being paid 'X' amount but that he was also being paid a separate sum on another contract.
Delaney is acutely aware of the value which Derry have brought to the League since they joined in 1985 and won't want to lose one of the biggest and best supported clubs they have.
'When Derry came into the League, they brought thousands of fans for Cup finals. I know what it means to the FAI to have Derry in the League; and I know what it means to the people of Derry too,' he said.
€8.6MWAGE BILL FOUR clubs spent €8.6million on players' wages in 2008, according to League figures released yesterday. Cork City spent most with €2.35m, ahead of Drogheda with €2.25m — both had 10 points deducted for entering examinership. St Pat's spent €2.2m and champions Bohemians €1.9m. Salaries to players made up 50 per cent of all expenditure while debts to directors and banks made up 61 per cent of all clubs' liabilities.
From next year, wages to managers and coaches will be factored into the salary cap protocol. Club's losses were down to €2.7m in 2008 while attendances in the Premier Division for 2009 are up 17 per cent.
Takes me back - remember all the posts about which of the big four wasn't spending the most?
That is at least one of the smoking guns which will come out.
Stu,
The trading company should be wound up, we have debts of around £600,000.
On a selfish note, it would be great for Harps as we would be guaranteed at least one big gate in the season in this ****hole of a division.
On another note, would Derry's relegation (rumoured) to "only" Division 1 add fuel to the fire about the rumours about the A league being done away with.
I can't recall there being any reports of a transfer embargo on Derry. Can anyone clarify if this was made public?
I would prefer to be ****ed out of the league completely, and have to start from the bottom, whether that be the A League or the First Division next season. We can't continue under Wellvan. There is no trust or confidence. If the board isn't cleaned out next season, I can see a lot of people simply staying at home in protest. It historically doesn't take much for a good section of our support to flee.
DCFC
Don't think it was. First I've heard of it anyway.
DCFC
Surely a decision can't be made until the meeting tomoz? Relegation is too good for us.
DCFC
If you had told me at the beginning of the season that Harps would be in a better state than Derry at the end of the season I would have told you to seek professional help! Roll on the Northwest derby next year
Say nothin til ya hear more!
Derry City v Finn Harps A?Roll on the Northwest derby next year
There will be a fudge no doubt. A League scrapped maybe, or the FAI will somehow allow Wellvan to continue as the holding company (please god, no).
DCFC
Pol,
It will be nothing to do with the FAI.
The Dungannon winding up order, the HMRC are circulating, the legal ramifications of "off the books" payments. All those will kill us long before the Licensing First Instance Committee meets.
If they do, that's any last shred of credibility in licencing gone.
But as Kev points out, there's at least other bodies around who'll help enforce licencing for the FAI.
Good. I hope that they are taken to pieces. A new club is what is needed. I'd quite like to be in the First Division rather than the A League though, but I'll be more than happy if I have a club to support next season.
Will this have personal ramifications for board members past and present? Disbarring from directorships for a period?
DCFC
No I meant Finn Harps v Finn Harps A
Say nothin til ya hear more!
First division isnt as evil as some would make it out to be. Some good football, nice little grounds and of course the friendliest fans!
An article I read a while back that could have similarities.
http://www.worldfootballcolumns.com/...-1-sc-farense/
Say nothin til ya hear more!
Sweet Jasus !
Go lí cúnna ifrinn do thóin bheagmhaitheasach
The first division is something I wouldn't wish on anyone.
Roddy Collins, the biggest <insert as appropiate> in Irish Football.
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