Cork City denied a licence; club to be wound up; FORAS to enter First Division

**tiktok** · 12/02/2010, 9:39 AM

Originally Posted by weecountyman

A rumour that erupted yeseterday in certain circles in Dublin (I believe any Bohs insiders on here can confirm this) is that one Mr. Steve Collins is being used as a name for the "UK consortium".

Whatever the rumours up around Bohs are, they're incorrect.
What has been referred to as the 'London/UK consortium' in the past has been in reference to Peter Gray's interest.

**razor** · 12/02/2010, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

So Quintas say they're interested, do due dilligence, uncover so many horror stories that they immediately pull out, and a week later they're back in again?!

This just gets curiouser and curiouser.

Seems to me that both previously interested parties have come together and decided it would be better if they joined forces to rid the club of Evil Tom.
As well as that trying to reduce Toms parachute payment as the High Court approaches by which time Tom leaves with nothing.

Although the thought of him getting a red cent makes me nautious.

**Macy** · 12/02/2010, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by weecountyman

The media are treating him, in person, with kid gloves. Something isn't right in all of this, his love of court room battles can only explain part of this, but there has to be an underlying factor for the amount of time given to Tom, Rod and their goons. They've gone unquestioned, unchallenged and continue to get whatever they want.

His political connections, and the pull they have with most of our media, perhaps?

I'm surprised and disappointed that FORAS would appear to be actively supporting this. At the very least they should be neutral, and it seems mad that they'd be putting money into that entity at this stage. Better to stay out and build up a war chest, regardless of whether they proceed with the new club or not at this stage.

**razor** · 12/02/2010, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

I'm surprised and disappointed that FORAS would appear to be actively supporting this. At the very least they should be neutral, and it seems mad that they'd be putting money into that entity at this stage. Better to stay out and build up a war chest, regardless of whether they proceed with the new club or not at this stage.

It may have been a neutral comment from the FORAS chairman that was made newspaper friendly.
I'm sure the chairman will clarify at the FORAS meeting tonight.

**weecountyman** · 12/02/2010, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by razor

It may have been a neutral comment from the FORAS chairman that was made newspaper friendly.
I'm sure the chairman will clarify at the FORAS meeting tonight.

Razor, I tend to agree with you regarding the statement by the FORAS chief, but it is worrying that the group are being included in the deal before a vote has been taken - the best option is still for FORAS to go their own way and get a real club representing Cork.

**razor** · 12/02/2010, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by weecountyman

Razor, I tend to agree with you regarding the statement by the FORAS chief, but it is worrying that the group are being included in the deal before a vote has been taken - the best option is still for FORAS to go their own way and get a real club representing Cork.

Well Mr Chairman isn't alone in supporting a move that may remove Tom Coughlan from the club but i'm sure a vote will be taken tonight as FORAS cannot take part without its members ratifying it.

I agree with you in that i'd prefer FORAS to remain independent and not get involved but we'll have to see whats on the table from the 2 other parties involved.

**Longfordian** · 12/02/2010, 11:31 AM

It could all be too late by tonight if the FAI aren't going to completely disregard the Licensing rules. Why should anyone obey their deadlines ever again if they do?.

**weecountyman** · 12/02/2010, 11:49 AM

Some news just out in Malta (fresh from the - injured - Floriana keeper Ben) - Floriana have waited over a month for a call or email to be returned from Tom and Liam (and is there a Kevin something?). Roddy's affidavit has been torn up and now the club need for the Maltese to release him. However they have said nothing since then. So the Maltese have lost the head and started a case in CAS (FIFA are handling the banning of Collins and Cork). Some major stuff going down!

**tiktok** · 12/02/2010, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by weecountyman

Razor, I tend to agree with you regarding the statement by the FORAS chief, but it is worrying that the group are being included in the deal before a vote has been taken - the best option is still for FORAS to go their own way and get a real club representing Cork.

FORAS aren't included in any deal and won't be included in any deal unless a majority of the members decide to include the Trust in a deal.
Read the statement again "FORAS members will soon vote on whether they want to be part of the bid".

**soccerc** · 12/02/2010, 12:00 PM

[QUOTE=weecountyman;1318893. Also being bandied about (by "a source close to Roddy Collins") is Fran Rooney who is to come on board as an investment magnet - he was announced as the same by Roddy for Malta way back when, without ever taking up the role. Today will be interesting.[/QUOTE]

No truth in this notion whatsoever

**weecountyman** · 12/02/2010, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by tiktok

FORAS aren't included in any deal and won't be included in any deal unless a majority of the members decide to include the Trust in a deal.
Read the statement again "FORAS members will soon vote on whether they want to be part of the bid".

tiktok, I saw what was written, but the statement from the marketing company (acting for Quintas) stated that FORAS would be brought on board, now this has to be passed by members in order for it to be a runner, I understand that. But there's an awful smell of deceit in the air regarding how FORAS are being included as part of the deal - is it common support or a ready access to cash they want? It looks like a deal about to be done with the devil! But the members should be more than able to see this!

**HammerNThongs** · 12/02/2010, 2:30 PM

Originally Posted by weecountyman

tiktok, I saw what was written, but the statement from the marketing company (acting for Quintas) stated that FORAS would be brought on board, now this has to be passed by members in order for it to be a runner, I understand that. But there's an awful smell of deceit in the air regarding how FORAS are being included as part of the deal - is it common support or a ready access to cash they want? It looks like a deal about to be done with the devil! But the members should be more than able to see this!

FORAS cant really be held accountable for the way the media twist things...we should know that by this stage. For all we know this was told to the reporters that FORAS have been given the option pending membership approval and the editors/journalists decided to make up what they thought that meant for FORAS.

I am happy to wait another 4 hours for the meeting tonight to get this really thrashed out. After that, all we can do is let the weekend pass, then the ball is in the FAIs court to to decided if I will ever bother following this Godforsaken league again.

**SkStu** · 12/02/2010, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by weecountyman

A rumour that erupted yeseterday in certain circles in Dublin (I believe any Bohs insiders on here can confirm this) is that one Mr. Steve Collins is being used as a name for the "UK consortium". His solicitor was down in Cork yesterday but apparently left without signing or concluding anything. Also being bandied about (by "a source close to Roddy Collins") is Fran Rooney who is to come on board as an investment magnet - he was announced as the same by Roddy for Malta way back when, without ever taking up the role. Today will be interesting.

first ive heard to be honest. Nothing on our forum even suggesting this. Bohs fans are just observers on this issue for the most part, we get updates every once in a while from a cork poster called "crowley"...

unless you were referring to Rovers fans in the bolded part of your post...

**Longfordian** · 12/02/2010, 2:59 PM

From the Cork press conference:

The bid is "being considered".
The tax bill "will be paid on Monday".
The licence application "is in". Fair play to them.
Roddy is "not concerned" about player departures, licence shenanigans etc..

If this shower get a licence Maxi should be taxied up to Abbotstown.

**Doomofman** · 12/02/2010, 3:01 PM

So TNB is gonna get away with it after all.... Sucks to be a Corck supporter

**weecountyman** · 12/02/2010, 3:05 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

first ive heard to be honest. Nothing on our forum even suggesting this. Bohs fans are just observers on this issue for the most part, we get updates every once in a while from a cork poster called "crowley"...

unless you were referring to Rovers fans in the bolded part of your post...

:-) At last someone got it! In acuality it's anyone who is in the locality of D15 will have heard the rumours doing the rounds of how this source of investment was red hot (it could well be nonsense but it came from a Bohs fan and boxer backer - say that 3 times quickly with a few pints in you!).

soccerc, I'm glad to hear that (re the Fran Rooney rumour), Roddy has been throwing his name around for some time and it was surprising to hear it in relation to Cork, Malta maybe, makes business sense I suppose for a barrister, but Cork??? For free legal advice maybe! I liked Fran as CEO of the FAI, he treated the LOI with respect and wanted to make us more important.

**weecountyman** · 12/02/2010, 3:07 PM

Billy Barry: We really are no wiser than we were when we came in.
A new bid half an hour before the start.
Roddy not too perturbed by the exodus of players. (O'Donnell gone now too!)
We wait with bated breath for the acceptance of this new bid.

Smoke and mirrors.

**Scrufil** · 12/02/2010, 3:12 PM

If Cork City do get a licence under the current regime is it open for other clubs to refuse to play them, or Derry City for that matter, on the grounds that the FAI is not operating a level playing field?

**John83** · 12/02/2010, 3:19 PM

Originally Posted by Scrufil

If Cork City do get a licence under the current regime is it open for other clubs to refuse to play them, or Derry City for that matter, on the grounds that the FAI is not operating a level playing field?

No, but Bray would probably have grounds to sue. (IANAL)

**eamo1** · 12/02/2010, 3:21 PM

Surely Cork cannot get a Licence.They've missed how many deadlines and broken how many rules.ALL credibility will be gone from this league and with it will go the fans.