It's here - https://foot.ie/threads/295008-Table...tures-expunged
It's in no-one's interest for them to fold that quickly though. That's a sure-fire way of not getting paid.
It's here - https://foot.ie/threads/295008-Table...tures-expunged
It's in no-one's interest for them to fold that quickly though. That's a sure-fire way of not getting paid.
Possible news on a 100% take over from Ainscough early next week, 2 local based and one other company in a consortium that is looking to buy off BA, and that seemingly has gathered pace over the weekend.
Still a disgrace BA is hiding in Boston, not taking calls, and knowing full well his current employees have not been paid, of course everyone wants to see this mess sorted, but people going without wages is just not on, and that surely has to be addressed first.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), only Irish club to win a game / points in Europa League Group Stage (2016).
Who would honestly be wanting to take over Dundalk in this mess with escalating debts, players/staff not being paid, legal actions pending from ex-players and inevitably further financial skeletons lurking in the Oriel Park closet?
I had a read again over Pages 9-11 of this thread again and most could see this Dundalk takeover by no-bobs Ainscough and his phantom investors ending up in this ****show. To think some Dundalk fans were losing their minds at Pat Hoban leaving as if he and his agent didn't see the writing on the wall
The Leinster Senior League needs a strong Bohemians
Im struggling to see how BA can find someone to take over a company with debts of ??? 1.5 million and pending legal actions etc AND on the brink of relegation to Div 1 which will mean the "asset" of European Co Efficient will be next to zero by the time it is relevant again.
Examinership would keep the club alive while writing off debts but examinerships are unpredictable.
It seems a takeover could be happening next week. Debts are big that's for sure, but you can deal with them if there is a structure, revenue for a start will need a payment plan but that can be done.
Rovers went into examinership and most debts were wiped, not sure I agree with that, and would prefer if DFC didn't (yet it could happen) I would much prefer new group to take over and deal with the debt, slice and divide.
For Rovers, more you think of it, their route was like hitting the jackpot, all debts forgiven, then moved into a stadium that they paid very little towards, but granted monthly rent is now upped from 8k to 20k (I think), high price but to be fair its a great facility as anchor tenants and they have very strong crowds / revenue so that's also fair. Cork City are in the same boat, its definitely the way forward for LOI clubs, to rent off local authority or FAI sub club (MFA). Derry / Waterford / Galway etc have similar set ups, all playing in very good grounds that they don't own but is a good facility.
Whoever buys DFC will pay zero for the purchase but will take responsibility for the debt, as for the coefficient, that's like a pension plan, its only relevant if you are around for it, and Dundalk won't be making europe any time soon.
Bohs had millions written off, Shels were forced relegated for huge financial debts not sure how their debt was covered, Derry also for dual contracts, Drogs for some reason escaped same fate with huge debts, again not sure how that ended. Cork City had issues in the past in a lot of guises, hard to think really of a club that was 'clean' last 20 years, for some reason St Pats spring to mind as one. Sligo R maybe also.
In summary, almost every club in the current PD has had major financial challenges, and not getting away from Dundalk either this is obviously a repeat of 2012, and 1994, and 1973 when we had to sell Irish Internationalist like Tommy McConville, and Turlough O'Connor, it just seems to be boom and bust all over again.
The cycle of Irish football, but what is a change now is, a lot of clubs are (relatively) stable, and have a good set up, obviously Dundalk are not one !
Horrible week but we live in hope, and maybe some good news this week.
Last edited by oriel; 08/09/2024 at 10:38 PM.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), only Irish club to win a game / points in Europa League Group Stage (2016).
Rumour is that a Dundlk fan was in Belgium over the weekend and picked up €150m and is dressed as a white night! If that were true you'd still battle scorned people past with scores to settle and agendas to drive with contacts in the game pushed to be awkward. Old guard to return and do same old stuff. BA may look up the look before you leap adage, but there was few oversights that may have been pertinant to a buyer that may not have been entered in the diary, fold or not, limp on, or have a billionaire owner back it would not be a surprie to see some legal fun and games over the next while.
Did Bohs have millions written off? Shels and Drogs went all out austerity, why Shels current position is such a big deal for their old original fanbase from early 2000s. The rest bar St Pats, Sligo and Dundalk have been through examinership or are new clubs that may or may not have bought rolls of honour. Waterford FC were the quietest about it, a name change disguising a new company and cutting debt adrift and were caught out on European participation, damn all questions were asked bar that.
Not sure whether Id want Dundalk to cut debt loose through examinership especially if creditors are local businesses. Dont have 20 odd years to wait ala Shels to see a recorvery so maybe pragmatism rather than doing what I would consider the right thing and pay every cent, restructured or not.
One thiing is for sure multiple owners in a short space of time is a club killer in the same way that multiple managers is a team killer. No matter what the wealth of a club owners mad fookers will tear things apart, as will the self important egos, those that are just not up to the level required. I think that was spotted by this owner but didnt have the deep pockets to stay in the game while change happened. All Id ask is that a new owner brings in new staff in key positions - finances, operations in the main, facilities management/development planner, football side of things a technical director over youth development, scouting and even a proven director of football type, so not much. Football admin and media people are great.
An updated History of Dundalk FC uncut would be a singular income stream as it would be a worldwid bestseller from Abibi to Bill, Fillipo to ZZahibo nd Magilton - no stats, a behind the scenes exposé with all the angles, rants and rumours untangled by the individuals themselves, owners, agents, local journos and supporters itk.....it'd be a Netflix docudrama in months!
Last edited by Nesta99; 08/09/2024 at 11:56 PM.
Can I ask one question, and this isn't to wind up or insult Dundalk fans. I like you, wouldn't be a big fan of clubs going into examinership to escape paying bills, ideally the club would find new owners who would come in a manage the debt while trying to professionalise the club so that it can actually stand on its own too feet but, will the majority of Dundalk fans get on board with that after a few years of mediocrity, perhaps even in the FD?
The whole "we want our club back" brigade, all commented at the time that they didn't care if the club couldn't compete for titles and if it had to even go PT in the FD for a while, they just wanted the club back but as soon as it became clear the local lads weren't putting any money in they were soon ran as well.
I remember clearly, one game during the middle of the SK era, possibly 2017, I said to my HT pint crew in the upstairs bar (at HT !) that I would gladly 'give up' one season of going to win the league (2013-2020, Dundalk finished 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, then poss 3rd) if the monies could be diverted into ground improvements for one year,
(SK only wanted budget spent on the sqaud) so yes I would gladly take a period of not competing if it meant the club could get back to being run properly, and then move on to gradual ground improvements.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), only Irish club to win a game / points in Europa League Group Stage (2016).
Well the bulk of it was managed by selling our main asset, Dalymount to DCC in an agreement to rent it back off them. Some remaining immediate debt was covered by a members' levy agreed upon at a club AGM/EGM in mid-2015, and a plan was put in place to repay all other outstanding debt over the next year or two from our income. We've run a tight ship and been debt-free since, thankfully.
The way Dundalk have fallen from Grace it's probably best they go down, rebuild with realistic budgets, goals and stadium plans under the guidance of a competent board with proven financial capabilities in place. Possibly a new fan joint venture. It may take a season or two to do it but it has to be done and could be for the better long term. Get rid of the current clown BA, pay the players and start the rebuild now. All said it's a shame to see this happen. As stated in earlier posts other clubs have had tough times went down and came back or managed to stay in the PD knowing they would not be challenging for anything for a few years.
Nobody here has the answers and when we play Dundalk, for 90 mins you are the enemy but we support you in your fight for survival long term.
https://kesslereffect.bandcamp.com/album/kepler - New music. It's not that bad.
Last edited by oriel; 09/09/2024 at 11:49 AM.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), only Irish club to win a game / points in Europa League Group Stage (2016).
When will Dundalk/LOI fans (or football fans more generally) learn?
As far back as when Peak 6 rocked up at Oriel with all sorts of promises, Dundalk fans were warned repeatedly on here by multiple people that it would not end well. The response of pretty much every one of them was various shades of "Haha - you're just jealous/bitter".
If you allow yourself to be passed around like a cheap whorr in pursuit of glory, don't be surprised if the only constant is that you keep getting fcuked.
Meanwhile well run clubs in the league (of which there are few - but Sligo definitely spring to mind) are cut out of the trophies by the financial doping at clubs like Dundalk.
Irish football needs to find a way to live within its own means and not just get into the car with any stranger that flashes their lights at them.
Of course we lost our minds. Out best player and club captain had a year left on his contract and was let leave for a few grand.
Any decent owner would have said if you want to leave, you can go when your contracts up (Word is Hoban and O Donnell had a big falling out and that's why he wanted out in first place)
For the umpteenth time EYG you gloat with the benefit of hindsight, jaysus even Mystic Meg was correct on an occasion! To repeat myself for your benefit the P6 mess wasnt a forgone conclusion, if eg, Mike Tracey had stayed as chairman it would all be a different story, Bill single handedly was duped by agents and P6's error was not putting the breaks on. Probably ageist but Matt needed a plaything for his elderly mad Dad, P6 werent looking to leave until fans wanted the out. From what has been said by people like MT the Bill phase would have passed and a review done, and cost cutting also but cutting from paying Zahibo 8k a week. Losing SK was the catalyst and the messing with managers, a pandemic wasnt much of a help and not using any sort of avalable furlough chewed through reserves also. The ship would have righted itself bar pretty much a perfect storm. It is irrelevant in the grand scheme but it would be like me saying it will end in tears with the appointment of Higgins or that Derry can spend what they like but wont win a league, year after year i'd be able to gloat about being right until eventually Im not and I say nothing. Club ownership and management will always eventually eventually turn sour - even when Jack Walker tried to future proof his efforts at Blackburn beyond his life it went bad. Derry wont always have a billionaire owner!! Cork and FORAS and their sworn adherence to sensible budgeting failed, Rovers were almost a missed penalty from a big change in ownership and at the whims of non fans. Football by nature is cyclical, Dundalk FC/Athletic/United or some variation of the club will win the league again one day, I hope we will be around for it and I will point out to you my own Mystic Meg skills EYG! Local owners at Dundalk fall out and leave the club worse than P6 did, where was your harbinger of doom then, or after an unknown, financially and otherwise with BA? You had no greater insight in to P6 than anyone and were commenting in hope at the time. Taking credit for something
Again to repeat you will find that the majority of Dundalk fans were not rubbing their hands accusing people of being bitter - I, Ezekiel, L4S, Holidaysong and others on here were cautious in our views on P6. I was far more positive about things after listening to Ainscough!!
When it does come to selling a club, particularly in LoI often beggars cant be choosers. In Dundalk's case more recently its more be careful what you wish for. What assets do Derry and clubs have bar players out of interest that is of tangible value when grounds are not owned by the club. Co-efficients are only of value when qualified for Europe which eg Rovers may not have if one of the stakeholders decided to bail.
On whether Outspoken's question on whether fans will get on board after years of mediocrity - I can only base an answer than nearly a decade in the 1st division didnt kill us. I would say that there would be 1-1.5k gates give or take. But bar the few there is still a sense of most looking for others to do the leg work to improve things. During the BETOP campaign, organised by Ezekiel if I recall, I was cold calling lists of fans to try and get advance sales of tickets, generating money to bring Oriel u to spec to host the European game. As part of that we'd also ask people about multople ticket sales for families or to direct people that might be interested in attending to contact id say 25% more or less said fook off we're not doing your job for you - completely missing the point of the efforts. So there is no straight answer, a mixed bag of angry people, self satisfied people that they got rid of the yanks, and a retur to the fans who will go 'whats the point they're sh1t', things go from we to they very quickly.
Having said all that maybe some multi millionaire will look at Larne and think that there still may be an opportunity to own a football club that could play a Chelsea in Europe on a relative shoestring.
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