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

[weecountyman]

About how he is the man and Cork is a great club, blah de blah de blah then throwing in a large slice of Georgie to try and win back the Ocaliban, (it already has the usual pities on our forum salivating at the mouth) and then an attempt at peacemaker, saying we should put all previous issues with Tom aside and unite in the name of city.

Quote of the interview was when he tried to play dumb to all our troubles saying "I've come in here, innocent".
I nearly choked on my tea.

If we get a licence i'll be sending a box of this to Abbottstown.

I think he says that at every club.

The "innocent" bit he tried on Newstalk, if anyone heard him. He started slandering Floriana and they let him get up a head of steam until HE not only hadn't been paid in 8 weeks, been left penniless on the street, without a car and mobile phone (kind of jarred with the fact that the club were flying him back and forward for games, him staying in a 5-star luxury hotel free of charge and being given a car for the time he was in Malta, plus a thousand quid a week- surely he'd have just jacked it in right away). But then the players hadn't been paid all season, none of them! And that this was the reason he had left.

At which point texters then questioned why he was going to a club that hadn't paid players or staff either. His answer "That's nothing to do with me. It's not relevant." I didn't know whether to admire the man for having a neck of such metallurgic value, cry with laughter, or call Grangegorman to reserve a giant ego sized padded cell!

By the way, Floriana managed to stop the rot with a 1-1 draw and got back into 6th place, but they now have 3 more injuries to deal with and only 12 fit players to choose from, 4 of those being under-18.

[tiktok]

I thought a point made by weecountman on another thread re: the effect of a Boycott and Roddy was worth dragging in here. Also, it was easier to copy my reply than start tyoing again. Think the boycott debate is worth including here.

By the way, Roddy told RedFM that Cork City have excellent training facilities. If anyone knows where these are, answers on a postcard to
Confused,
Outside Turner's Cross with a Placard,
Cork.

If they manage to spoof a few good players into the club, and they get a good run going in the league (whichever one they're in) then expect a semblance of decent crowds turning out. And if they're in the Premier and get a good start, wherever they end up playing wil be 75% full. Football fans are relatively fickle and I have a strange (or is that sick) feeling that Cork fans will be chanting Roddy's name by the end of the season, or before he does a legger for the Man U job

I think this is accurate enough to be honest.

As much as Tom Coughlan's name is mud in and around Cork City, the Great Cork Sporting Public (TM) will drag their backsides onto any bandwagon they see gathering pace. If we get a Premier Division licence, Roddy brings back George O'Callaghan, Liam Kearney back, hangs onto Danny Murphy, Dan Murray, Billy Dennehy then people will attend. If we're challenging, numbers will grow and the games against Rovers and Bohs will bring out large crowds.

The attendances towards the end of last season were in the 1200-1700 range, this was buoyed significantly by those people who had season tickets in their pockets [whether they were intending to renew or not] and for the last month, those who were getting in free [and trading to get in free] with the An Post vouchers. The numbers we were getting on the gates did not translate into gate takings, we were brining in a pittance.

I think you'll see a sizeable fall off in season tickets this season, though they've put a good package together, and there's a large chunk of the hardcore that won't come back while Tom Coughlan is around. But we had 5,500 against Bohs last season for one match, so there really is a swing of about 3-4,000 people who'll turn up if the weather is nice and if there's nothing else on and there's a bit of a buzz around.

If Roddy can get a bit of a bandwagon rolling, which his bluster is capable of doing, as Dolan's was, then the club should be able to maintain 2,500 through the gates once they're challenging [if they've based their budgets on a crowd of more than that, they're nuts].

The problem the club will have is if it doesn't click and they can't attract the bandwagon contingent. The number of people who would usually be there regardless [I count myself among those] which I reckon was always about 1500-2000 has been decimated. If the club doesn't start the league well, there are off-field problems reported, I think we'll dip into three figures for a league game, something I don't think has happened since the whole Bishopstown fiasco.

[weecountyman]

I thought a point made by weecountman on another thread re: the effect of a Boycott and Roddy was worth dragging in here. Also, it was easier to copy my reply than start tyoing again. Think the boycott debate is worth including here.

By the way, Roddy told RedFM that Cork City have excellent training facilities. If anyone knows where these are, answers on a postcard to
Confused,
Outside Turner's Cross with a Placard,
Cork.

This must come out of his original false claim that training facilities in Malta were "attrocious" and "non-existent". He apologised for that and admitted that Floriana's facilities "were no worse than what we have in Ireland", but this mealy mouthed apology was a bit odd when the players went for pre-match meals at a 5-star hotel, and recovery training at another 5-star hotel gym and spa. Where are the Cork boys training right now? I presume pre-season is back on.

[tiktok]

Where are the Cork boys training right now? I presume pre-season is back on.

I think pre-season training starts next weekend.

I'm not sure where it's going to take place, my understanding is that we've been locked out of Bishopstown [though that could have been sorted out, I'm not sure]. There's the added complication that Cork City don't really get credit anymore, so I'd imagine we'd have to pay up front if we were renting facilities from a local soccer or GAA club?

The other question there of course is who's going to show up?
I think we only have 5 contracted players, who I believe are still owed wages for December. There's rumours around Cork that Roddy is only interested in hanging onto 1 of those 5 contracted players as well, it's very strange.

Also, through last year our underage structure was particularly badly treated and we've lost a lot of young players, some very promising, some less so [but all were at the club for a reason]. How many of our underage and u20/A Championship squads there is to draw from is uncertain.

Of course some couldn't care less about the underage set-up and once they see 11 senior players paid they don't place any value on a youth structure [or looking 3/4 years ito the future even]. Though they're generally morons best ignored, anyone with half a brain would recognise the importance, especially so in LoI, of maintaining a stream of quality young players coming through.

It's a shame our own has fallen so low when you look at a list of the players in the past 6/7 years who have come through CCFC [or who were "reborn" here after coming back at a young age] and are now playing full time professional football in the UK. Many of those transfers brought in much needed money at much needed times in the past.

Damien Delaney [Capped Senior International]
Alan Bennett [Capped Senior International]
Kevin Doyle [Capped Senior International]
Shane Long [Capped Senior International]
Joe Gamble [Capped Senior International]
David Meyler [Premiership starts this season]
Roy O'Donovan
John O'Flynn
Denis Behan
Leon McSweeney
Brian Barry Murphy
Colin Healy even

[weecountyman]

For the interest of Cork fans from In Nazzjon newspaper: http://www.nazzjon.com.mt/

Collins signed "In good faith" by Paul Agius

Cork City F.C. of Cork, Ireland signed Roddy Collins "in good faith" because he 1. told them he was "a free agent" and 2. he signed a legal affadavit to state the same. Collins apologised to Floriana F.C.'s committee, players and fans on Friday as the deadline fell on him to do so. The dirty way he spoke of the club he retracted, saying he was angry the club were being so tough with him. Tough with him for demanding he honour his contract and to leave deserved the club compensation.

Cork are to return with compensation for Floriana F.C under pressure from the F.A.I., failure will mean relegation and Collins ban from football. On NetTV President Joe Cauchi said Collins retraction and apology was "appreciated", Floriana have to receive compensation in the region of €28,000 to release Collins. In a personal interview with a Maltese newspaper Collins, now in Ireland, said "The club were very good to me, I owe them alot. I have no problem with anyone there, they were great. I have to look after my family and Cork does this and gets me back to where I want to be, the League of Ireland." On his allegations "I was angry and misquoted, sure I wouldn't have been in Malta if I wasn't getting paid right. They paid me right, they helped me out and understood my situation. I didn't mean what I said and I'm sorry it caused hurt to the club and people involved. I only wish them the best and maybe I cna go back there to manage them one day."

The story now hinges on if Cork meet their compensation deadline and it is accepted by Floriana. Cauchi said, "We're very reasonable, I and my Board colleagues have worked very hard and we only want fair play. Mister Liam Meaney was very good in his manners and I believe we will get the compensation we deserve." Cork were unavailable for comment last night.

Forgot to add, the photo's shown were Roddy holding a Floriana shirt and one holding a Cork scarf, same smile, same look everything.

[weecountyman]

I think pre-season training starts next weekend.

I'm not sure where it's going to take place, my understanding is that we've been locked out of Bishopstown [though that could have been sorted out, I'm not sure]. There's the added complication that Cork City don't really get credit anymore, so I'd imagine we'd have to pay up front if we were renting facilities from a local soccer or GAA club?

The other question there of course is who's going to show up?
I think we only have 5 contracted players, who I believe are still owed wages for December. There's rumours around Cork that Roddy is only interested in hanging onto 1 of those 5 contracted players as well, it's very strange.

Also, through last year our underage structure was particularly badly treated and we've lost a lot of young players, some very promising, some less so [but all were at the club for a reason]. How many of our underage and u20/A Championship squads there is to draw from is uncertain.

Of course some couldn't care less about the underage set-up and once they see 11 senior players paid they don't place any value on a youth structure [or looking 3/4 years ito the future even]. Though they're generally morons best ignored, anyone with half a brain would recognise the importance, especially so in LoI, of maintaining a stream of quality young players coming through.

It's a shame our own has fallen so low when you look at a list of the players in the past 6/7 years who have come through CCFC [or who were "reborn" here after coming back at a young age] and are now playing full time professional football in the UK. Many of those transfers brought in much needed money at much needed times in the past.

Damien Delaney [Capped Senior International]
Alan Bennett [Capped Senior International]
Kevin Doyle [Capped Senior International]
Shane Long [Capped Senior International]
Joe Gamble [Capped Senior International]
David Meyler [Premiership starts this season]
Roy O'Donovan
John O'Flynn
Denis Behan
Leon McSweeney
Brian Barry Murphy
Colin Healy even

That's some list of players, and it's both a good and bad indictment on Cork that such talents have passed through the club and are now elsewhere. Denis Behan I thought had a real knack of scoring good goals and losing Joe Gamble is a loss to the league. David Meyler is a talented lad and I just hope there is some good young players due to come through from the under age ranks.

Who is in charge of the underage set up? I thought it was being run as a separate entity with the MFA guiding it, or maybe I'm mistaken. The amount of senior and junior clubs in the area also bodes well for picking up players, yet how many would be willing to join a side with such uncertainty.

[tiktok]

Who is in charge of the underage set up? I thought it was being run as a separate entity with the MFA guiding it, or maybe I'm mistaken. The amount of senior and junior clubs in the area also bodes well for picking up players, yet how many would be willing to join a side with such uncertainty.

Liam Murphy runs/ran [not sure what the current situation is] the underage structure at CCFC and has done a phenomenal job, he has a knack for spotting talent.

The amount of damage done to it last season cannot be underestimated though and as it stands it'd be hard for anyone to sell the club as an option to a promising young player.

[weecountyman]

You'd think that with Cobh now out of the equation that local players would see the value in joining Cork City, if for nothing else as a means to getting to England or Scotland! How are City faring with their underage teams, are they winning anything?

[tiktok]

You'd think that with Cobh now out of the equation that local players would see the value in joining Cork City, if for nothing else as a means to getting to England or Scotland! How are City faring with their underage teams, are they winning anything?

Cork is riddled with scouts for cross-channel clubs, many go directly as it is.
The big advantage City had in recent years was the ability to point to players like Kevin Doyle who saw out their education in ireland and still play at the highest levels possible. It's a good sell to parents rightly worried about sendign children away from home, especially when you have Eoin Hand working at trying to resettle young players who burn out too young in England after going over at 13/14.

City's underage teams were always very competitive. We won the u20 Cup last season. The 4-2 extratime victory over UCD in the semi-final was the most exciting game I saw last season.

[tiktok]

It'll be interesting how the powers that be at Cork City and the FAI handle the club's opening competitive fixture this year.

Munster Senior Cup
Cork City -v- Castleview
To be played Weekend january 23rd/24th

I assume any team put out would all have to be registered with the association, so no new signing made by Roddy Collins in the interim would be allowed to play, since the transfer embargo will apparently not be lifted until after the audited accounts are submitted.

We have maybe 4/5 players under contract and the rest of the squad will have to be made up from the youth ranks. Interesting time ahead.

[Acornvilla]

It'll be interesting how the powers that be at Cork City and the FAI handle the club's opening competitive fixture this year.

Munster Senior Cup
Cork City -v- Castleview
To be played Weekend january 23rd/24th

I assume any team put out would all have to be registered with the association, so no new signing made by Roddy Collins in the interim would be allowed to play, since the transfer embargo will apparently not be lifted until after the audited accounts are submitted.

We have maybe 4/5 players under contract and the rest of the squad will have to be made up from the youth ranks. Interesting time ahead.

a good opportunity for the kids thou

[tiktok]

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/premier/news.asp?n=37860

Cork City’s hopes of remaining in the Premier Division for 2010 rest on the payment of around €300,000 owed to former staff members by the end of the month, according to a Monday morning newspaper report.

The FAI’s licensing committee will make a final decision on the applications of all League of Ireland clubs, including Cork City, after the January 31st deadline for the payment of all outstanding debts.

According to the Irish Daily Star, Cork owe approximately €150,000 to former boss Alan Mathews, who was sacked from the Turners Cross job in December 2008, and a further €17,000 to Mathews’s successor Paul Doolin who stepped down at the end of 2009.

Former players Gareth Farrelly, Pat Sullivan, Robert Mezeckis, Colin Healy, Darren Murphy and Joe Gamble, as well as players still under contract at the club, are said to be owed a further €130,000.

If Cork fail to honour all those payments, there is hope in the fact that an agreement to defer the outstanding sums could satisfy the FAI’s licensing department.

However, with club owner Tom Coughlan having fallen foul of the Association in recent months, there must be a distinct possibility that the governing body will refuse to sanction any further deferrals and instead strip the club of its Premier Division license.

[yiddo]

another fundraising scheme from TNB

In February, Cork City Football Club will be launching a new Official Members Club to allow all supporters a valuable input into the day to day business of the Club.

full details here http://corkcityfc.ie/main.php?action...eadlineID=1226

[tiktok]

€500 - €179 [season ticket] - €52 [lotto?] = €269 per annum to cast your vote.
I wonder how much attention Tom Coughlan will pay to your 'Vote'.

On a personal level, I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

The funny thing is that after the Winding Up Order last season, Tom Coughlan promised a share scheme which would allow the people of Cork a say in the running of the club and an ownership stake. it's funny that there seems to be no share or ownership for people out of this.

[weecountyman]

€500 - €179 [season ticket] - €52 [lotto?] = €269 per annum to cast your vote.
I wonder how much attention Tom Coughlan will pay to your 'Vote'.

On a personal level, I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

The funny thing is that after the Winding Up Order last season, Tom Coughlan promised a share scheme which would allow the people of Cork a say in the running of the club and an ownership stake. it's funny that there seems to be no share or ownership for people out of this.

I don't believe this, I read through and blinked. This is a perversion of 2 things, the Shamrock Rovers model and what was established this year in Floriana. But the difference is that there is almost no power given to the fans through this, and it's not even an investment! Anyone putting money into this is going to find that from all money collected it will bleed from the club and disappear. I thought there was no lower they could go, but this....

[redobit]

It'll be interesting how the powers that be at Cork City and the FAI handle the club's opening competitive fixture this year.
.

An word on the re-shueduled Setanta cup game against Rovers down in Cork! Any truth in that it could be mid / late February. Or is 4 or 5 weeks just too far into the future for Cork to predict at the moment!

[yiddo]

An word on the re-shueduled Setanta cup game against Rovers down in Cork! Any truth in that it could be mid / late February. Or is 4 or 5 weeks just too far into the future for Cork to predict at the moment!

4 or 5 days is the max at the moment

[tiktok]

I don't believe this, I read through and blinked. This is a perversion of 2 things, the Shamrock Rovers model and what was established this year in Floriana.

The constitution will be interesting, I can think of a third membership scheme this seems a perversion of.

On a completely unrelated note, people can join FORAS
€120 p.a. [€10 p.m.] Waged Adult
€60 p.a. [€5 p.m.] Unwaged Adult/Student/OAP
€24 p.a. [€2 p.m.] U-16 [non-voting membership, includes free FORAS scarf]

see www.forastrust.ie for more detail, the trust constitution is up there for 'review' also

[weecountyman]

The constitution will be interesting, I can think of a third membership scheme this seems a perversion of.

On a completely unrelated note, people can join FORAS
€120 p.a. [€10 p.m.] Waged Adult
€60 p.a. [€5 p.m.] Unwaged Adult/Student/OAP
€24 p.a. [€2 p.m.] U-16 [non-voting membership, includes free FORAS scarf]

see www.forastrust.ie for more detail, the trust constitution is up there for 'review' also

Bascially they're looking for the supporters to pay for the club yet have no say in it (not FORAS) and are looking to make more profit off their backs, while keeping themselves in a job. I can see it all ending in tears.

[razor]

another fundraising scheme from TNB


full details here http://corkcityfc.ie/main.php?action...eadlineID=1226

I'd rather give my money to an African prince.