Sporting Fingal Gone Belly Up

**Bunny Kelly** · 16/11/2010, 2:11 PM

I don't want to have to go through the whole thread so to get a little back on topic, what is the current state of Fingal. Will they be able to hold onto their players under contract, take part in the Europa lge or do they need to cut their costs ASAP?

**pineapple stu** · 16/11/2010, 2:16 PM

Officially, there's a budget review on at the moment, after which player issues will be decided. Gerry Gannon has put close on E2m into them in three years - Fingal are unsustainable in their current guise without him - and is now in NAMA. NAMA have said they want all sports sponsorship from those in NAMA to stop. Gerry may get his missus to put money in instead though.

That's about all we really know.

**Lamper.sffc** · 16/11/2010, 5:30 PM

Originally Posted by Bunny Kelly

I don't want to have to go through the whole thread so to get a little back on topic, what is the current state of Fingal. Will they be able to hold onto their players under contract, take part in the Europa lge or do they need to cut their costs ASAP?

What I think will happen is we will have to cut our costs and work under a smaller budget. We will probably lose some of the higher paid players. Personally I would like to know sooner rather than later myself.

**passerrby** · 16/11/2010, 5:34 PM

Originally Posted by Lamper.sffc

What I think will happen is we will have to cut our costs and work under a smaller budget..

ya mean its that bad

**Spudulika** · 16/11/2010, 9:06 PM

Checking through the PFAI list, some of the bigger earners are gone, and there is a great nucleus of young players left (Finn, Byrne, Williams, McFaul), so even on a reduced budget the club will be at worst a struggling mid-table outfit. That being said, Europe is on the cards again and if Bohs go down, and Sligo don't strengthen, it's going to be a case of catching Pats and Shamrock Rovers next season and a more level playing field.

**total hoofball** · 17/12/2010, 12:32 AM

http://www.fingal-independent.ie/pre...r-2460071.html

Gannon steps down as Sporting Fingal chair

DEVELOPER TO CONCENTRATE ON BUSINESS INTERESTS

By Robin KIELY

Wednesday December 15 2010

THE future prospects of Sporting Fingal FC have taken a dramatic twist after it emerged developer and majority shareholder, Gerry Gannon, has resigned as club chairman.

Well, I'm truly shocked by that....

Anyway, does anyone have a full subscription to copy up the entire article?

**BonnieShels** · 17/12/2010, 7:29 AM

THE future prospects of Sporting Fingal FC have taken a dramatic twist after it emerged developer and majority shareholder, Gerry Gannon, has resigned as club chairman.
In documents obtained from the Companies Registration Office, the Fingal Independent can reveal Mr Gannon stepped down from his post and that of company secretary on November 26th.
Sporting's very existence remains in the balance amid rumours of serious financial difficulties and suggestions the club may not be in a position to compete at the same level next year, while a review of its operations has been ongoing since the conclusion of the playing season at the end of October.
Mr Gannon, who has been replaced as company secretary by current club secretary, John O'Brien, made a € 750,000 'non-refundable contribution' last year, on top of a € 499,900 sponsorship payment in 2008. However, Sporting posted a loss of more than € 75,000 in 2009.
It's understood the club board is currently working with several parties who may be involved for the coming season, while a licensing application to compete in the Premier Division next year has been submitted to the FAI.
'Mr Gannon, who is a businessman based in Fingal, now wants to fully concentrate on his business interests, given the economic climate in Ireland,' a spokesperson for Mr Gannon said.
'He was glad to be a part of Sporting Fingal and he wishes them the best for the future.'
Speculation over the club's survival continues to be the talk of the League of Ireland, while contractual negotiations with players are taking place and a number have been released.
Club press officer, John Fallon, confirmed Mr Gannon's departure and said there was little prospect of Sporting's financial situation becoming clearer in the immediate future.
'There have been various exploratory talks taking place, but nothing has been developed to a point where we are close and I don't expect it will happen over the next few days,' Mr Fallon said.

**L.T.F.C.** · 17/12/2010, 7:52 AM

**marinobohs** · 17/12/2010, 11:04 AM

given all the clubs liKely to be in the First Division next year maybe the League should just extend that Division

**Dodge** · 17/12/2010, 11:20 AM

Interesting that they've made a license application at the same time as saying they haven't a clue what their financial situation will be like

**legendz** · 17/12/2010, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by marinobohs

given all the clubs liKely to be in the First Division next year maybe the League should just extend that Division

With all the clubs in trouble, in some respects it hardly seems like the time to be expanding the Premier.

**superjohnny** · 17/12/2010, 11:30 AM

question on everyones lips though is, who is the LEP going to support next year.?

**MMVIII** · 17/12/2010, 12:54 PM

No loss if they fold from the league. Never were a football 'club' in the first place. Shut the door on your way out

**sparky12345678** · 17/12/2010, 1:06 PM

Originally Posted by ARooney28

No loss if they fold from the league. Never were a football 'club' in the first place. Shut the door on your way out

Well your losing fans of the LOI who wont have as strong an interest., surely thats a bad thing.

As a sporting fingal fan (cos morton stadium is in my back garden), i would be sad to see it go.

The LOI and its clubs do need major restructuring (much like the country and the government).

Honestly dont see how the greater Dublin area can support so many "professional" clubs, at least with the way domestic fan following os atm. but even without sporting fingal there are too much.
Cant see shels and bohs amalgamating tho (or rovers and pats).
Not to mention dundalk and droghed, bray and ucd.

**Schumi** · 17/12/2010, 1:07 PM

Mr Gannon... made a € 750,000 'non-refundable contribution' last year

It still boggles the mind to see that and think that Fingal only came third in the First Division that year.

**Schumi** · 17/12/2010, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by sparky12345678

Cant see shels and bohs amalgamating tho (or rovers and pats).
Not to mention dundalk and droghed, bray and ucd.

Fingal and Dublin City?

**pineapple stu** · 17/12/2010, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

It still boggles the mind to see that and think that Fingal only came third in the First Division that year.

Tee hee.

**legendz** · 17/12/2010, 1:28 PM

They might have only came third but they did win the Cup and kicked on this year to finish 4th in the Premier. It's sad to see any club in financial difficulty. I hope they can get their house in order. They seemed to have a good plan to build in Lusk. While not likely in the near future, if the can keep the show on the road over the next few years I'm sure they can look to build for that.

**The Lep** · 17/12/2010, 1:35 PM

Originally Posted by superjohnny

question on everyones lips though is, who is the LEP going to support next year.?

Silly question. Dont get too excited, all is well

**sparky12345678** · 17/12/2010, 1:59 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Fingal and Dublin City?

well i dno.
I guess if we were to start from scratch, a northside and a southside team would be ideal...
But its naive to expect everyone to join together.

I grew up in ashbourne, I live and whole family are from santry/finglas and went to school in cabra. Santry is right on the border between fingal and dublin city. So its hard to choose, i do have a spot for bohs tho.

in general i consider myself a northsider, so my affinity lies with both bohs and fingal.
My preference as a newish fan to the LOI in general being Fingal.
I just wish we could sort it out properly for once and all