By Daniel McDonnell
Friday July 24 2009
Yesterday was about counting the cost. In the wake of Wednesday's woe, secretary Gerry Conway speculated that holding out to progress would have earned the club in the region of €400,000.
Even if Bohs had lost to Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round, they would have then been parachuted into the final qualifying stage of the Europa League.
"We were looking at making €220,000 if we were to make the next round, and then lose at that stage," said Conway.
"There would have been two home gates from which we would have expected to gross between €100,000 and €150,000 plus any television money. Approximately €400,000 would have been the benefit to us from going through."
In their current state, the cash is desperately needed. Earlier this month, finance director Chris Brien informed club members that progression in Europe was essential if they are to avoid ending this season over the 65pc Salary Cost Protocol which would mean serious sanctions, including relegation and expulsion from Europe, in the worse-case scenario.
The Salzburg defeat means that other options will have to be considered, principally a trimming of the wage bill which could result in some of Fenlon's leading players exiting the dressing-room.
With just a week until the Irish transfer window closes, and few other clubs recruiting at this juncture due to the general financial climate, then it is more likely that sides in the UK will be alerted considering their transfer window extends until the end of August. However, Conway insists that all is not lost, arguing the context of Brien's warning.
"He said that if we had no other sources of income and no other financial plans, that (breaching of 65pc rule) would be the case. But we have other plans, although they are too early to bring to the members yet.
"We are confident we won't be over the 65pc at the end of the season. At the moment, we believe we are at 64pc, the FAI believes we are at 66pc. That is without going through in Europe this week so I am confident we won't exceed it.
"Obviously from a cash-flow point of view, it would have been beneficial to have another full house next week. But I don't believe it's the difference between making or not making the 65pc rule on November 30 next."
Bohs hope to profit from a friendly against a Liverpool XI, which has been organised for August 17. However, there are doubts about the quality of Reds side they will see at Dalymount Park, considering they kick-off their Premier League campaign against Tottenham 24 hours earlier.
"I have no idea as to the strength of the Liverpool squad," admitted Conway. "I don't know who will be coming back from injury or what the plan is so I cannot say what the strength of squad will be at this moment."
In the short term, Bohs will concentrate on this Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with rivals Shamrock Rovers, who come into the game buzzing following a very different kind of loss at Tallaght on Monday. Despite the kick-off time of 1.0, the high-profile nature of both clubs' affairs this week should result in a large crowd at Dalymount.
The problem for Bohs is that they can't guarantee similar sized attendances for the remainder of the calendar, making it difficult to justify their spending. Unfortunately, it's a familiar tale.
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