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

[Real ale Madrid]

They didn't have to get involved in takeover talks; could have just let the company die and take the First Division licence, which is what they have now in any event.

They fought to save the club, in an effort to secure the clubs future and to try to save monies for those that have now no re-course to get whats owed and to help save the jobs that are now lost. They were magnificent over the past few weeks - the amount of time and effort ordinary people have put in, in my view, is incomprehensible, TC refused to engage with these people - dragged this out until the very last minute in a ridiculous effort to try and wrangle something for himself. He will now go and face the music this afternoon, disgraced.

I'd urge everyone to let the dust settle for a few days and let all the facts emerge before people start having a go at FORAS.

[pineapple stu]

Absoulely agree FORAS have done sterling work, but I think they'll always be slightly tarnished by their demand for a Premier Licence.

And as noted elsewhere, there's no reason the new FORAS company can't take on CCIFL's debts.

[jebus]

Absoulely agree FORAS have done sterling work, but I think they'll always be slightly tarnished by their demand for a Premier Licence.

And as noted elsewhere, there's no reason the new FORAS company can't take on CCIFL's debts.

Agree fully with that.

There's no doubt FORAS have done great work for Cork but they were part of a process that tried to hold the LoI to ransom when they demanded a Premier Licence for the new consortium to take over the debts owed by CCFC.

Anyway can I just make a final plea for you lot to not call yourselves Cork City Foras Co-op....please

[Town Legend]

I've been hearing a few rumours that Sligo could get Cork's European spot ahead of Dundalk because Foster doesn't have the required coaching badges.

[SÓC]

Absoulely agree FORAS have done sterling work, but I think they'll always be slightly tarnished by their demand for a Premier Licence.

FORAS never demanded a Premier Licence pineapple stu. FORAS were quite happy to go ahead with their own licence application all by themselves.

Now what the FAI's role in all of this was, well lets just say watch that space. I'm sure Tommy is going to sing like a bird when he gets wound up today

[John83]

FORAS never demanded a Premier Licence pineapple stu. FORAS were quite happy to go ahead with their own licence application all by themselves.

Now what the FAI's role in all of this was, well lets just say watch that space. I'm sure Tommy is going to sing like a bird when he gets wound up today

I'm sure you're satisfied with that answer, but try to see it from an outsider's perspective too - FORAS were part of a takeover bid which (indirectly) pressured the FAI to fudge the licencing process and award a Premier licence by making their bid conditional on a Premier licence.

[pineapple stu]

Yep. FORAS voted to be part of the bid demanding a Premier licence, therefore FORAS demanded a Premier licence.

[Mr A]

The recriminations begin... http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/...ity_foras.html

[Dodge]

I've been hearing a few rumours that Sligo could get Cork's European spot ahead of Dundalk because Foster doesn't have the required coaching badges.

Rubbish. They can just hire someone and denote him as manager. If Dundalk don't get a european licence, it won't be because of their manager (who more than likely has the same level of badges as most LOI managers)


(oh and I'm not trying to suggest there will be any other eason why they won't get one. I'm sure they'll be fine)

[Real ale Madrid]

Absoulely agree FORAS have done sterling work, but I think they'll always be slightly tarnished by their demand for a Premier Licence.

Don't think thats completely fair,I'm specualting a little now but i think when O'Connell and Gray started this process they wanted a Premier licence, Foras rode in with this, as it was an attempt to have a say in matters going forward, not allow another set of people run the thing into the ground, and to row in behind efforts to pay creditors and save the jobs that were there.

If Coughlan had engaged with these people properly this process could have been sorted 2 weeks ago (at least) and the new consortium would have had the time to get a proper application together ( albeit a late one which would have had the possibility of some sanctions attached for missing the deadline )

Perhaps the FAI misled the consortium into thinking that the Premier licence might have been available up until the last minute, I think if the Prem licence was available then they were right to chase it . ultimately the ILC disagreed.

Again this is just my own opinion - i'd again urge people to let the dust settle - wait until all the facts emerge before slating FORAS.

[Dodge]

Sorry Real Ale, but as late as yesterday counsel for the new consortium claimed the club was "worthless" without a premier licence. The FAI issuesd a statement saying they made no indications to Cork that it was likely to get a licence, and even casual observers of the requirements could've told you that any appliction was likely to fail

If the consortium truly wanted to be white knoight saviours, and pay off creditors etc. They could still have done that in the first division.

Instead they chose to walk away.

[Real ale Madrid]

Sorry Real Ale, but as late as yesterday counsel for the new consortium claimed the club was "worthless" without a premier licence. The FAI issuesd a statement saying they made no indications to Cork that it was likely to get a licence, and even casual observers of the requirements could've told you that any appliction was likely to fail

If the consortium truly wanted to be white knoight saviours, and pay off creditors etc. They could still have done that in the first division.

Instead they chose to walk away.

Fair enough but FORAS don't have the financial clout to be white knight saviours - Grey / O'Connell can't be forced to pay the debts. They wanted the Prem licence and I think FORAS rowed in for reasons outlined above.

Another point: Casual observers of requirements on this forum last night, to a man, thought that CCIFL would get a licence last night. There was great surprise on here yesterday. It was shaping to everyone that the FAI / ILC were bending over backwards to ensure Cork City were in the premier.

As I said earlier if a Prem licence was available then the consortium was right to chase it - any other club would have done the same.

[sheao]

This aint over quite yet .

Cork City Football Club confirms that the club intends to appeal the decision not to award the club a licence.
It is the understanding of the club staff & management that a deal had been confirmed for the transfer of ownership of the club, however this has now failed to materialise. Club management will today endeavour to resolve the outstanding issue with the Revenue at the High Court and to save the jobs of over 30 employees.

We understand that the licence application was recommended for approval by the FAI & we appreciate all assistance given by all parties in trying to keep the club alive.

It is the belief of the club that the jobs of club employees are the key issue here, and given the number of jobs involved, the club calls on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the FAI, the Munster FA and all other parties who may be able to assist with saving these jobs to act swiftly.

The club also hopes that any parties who show a willingness to take over the club will engage with the club should an appeal result in the club achieving a League of Ireland licence, & not just that of a Premier Division Licence.

32 Cork jobs hang in the balance and we need all assistance to save them.

[Dodge]

Fair enough but FORAS don't have the financial clout to be white knight saviours - Grey / O'Connell can't be forced to pay the debts. They wanted the Prem licence and I think FORAS rowed in for reasons outlined above.

Yep. fair point on FORAS.

Another point: Casual observers of requirements on this forum last night, to a man, thought that CCIFL would get a licence last night. There was great surprise on here yesterday. It was shaping to everyone that the FAI / ILC were bending over backwards to ensure Cork City were in the premier.

True, but mot of that came from a) Cork confidence and b) historical uselessness within league administration. Looking at the facts, there could be no surprise (and yes I was surprised)

As I said earlier if a Prem licence was available then the consortium was right to chase it - any other club would have done the same.

Unquestionably. its the "premier or bust" attitude I dislike

The appeal by CCFC is beyond laughable. particularly when they'll be wound up today

[Frank76]

Cork should be just happy to get a First Division licence, because if the licencing committee were doing things right they'd be in the A championship. If Cork had to of got a PD licence it would of been a complete and utter joke. If that were to of happened I think all PD clubs should refuse to play them.

[Real ale Madrid]

The appeal by CCFC is beyond laughable. particularly when they'll be wound up today

A typical Tom Coughlan action these days - laughable.

Calling on the Minister for Trade enterprise and employment? To do what exactly?

Yet more bluster.

[marinobohs]

before slating FORAS[/B].

I dont think people are slating FORAS in fact most recognise the trojan effort that they made to keep Cork City alive. The apparent attempt at "blackmail" by the consortium was not a good idea and made a lot of people less sympathetic to those involved but it was all happening against a backdrop of deadlines and High Court apperances.
Hopefully the circus is now over and we can get back to matters onfield. The departure of tom and Roddy should bring a bit of much needed stability (sanity) to Cork football.

best of luck to FORAS and the new club BTW.

[razor]

Unquestionably. its the "premier or bust" attitude I dislike

Michael O'Connell was on 96 FM this morning saying that he had made good contacts in Barcelona and that they were due to come over and play us, he even got a text last weekend from Johann Cruyff asking him when were they coming over.

He also mentioned that he had been in contact with some wealthy families in Bahrain who were willing to invest in the club and would fly into Cork in their private jets.

Surely we'd need a Premier licence & European football to attract these investors.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

[Schumi]

Michael O'Connell was on 96 FM this morning saying that he had made good contacts in Barcelona and that they were due to come over and play us, he even got a text last weekend from Johann Cruyff asking him when were they coming over.

He also mentioned that he had been in contact with some wealthy families in Bahrain who were willing to invest in the club and would fly into Cork in their private jets.

You shouldn't joke about that sort of thing!

You are joking aren't you?

[Rocketman]

At least now all concerned finally know where they stand and can move on.