The Derry City thread - Derry sign first four players

[pól-dcfc]

Dont forget about those who failed to meet their objectives 'on the pitch' !
The fact we had an assistant Manager (for a long stint) and massive backroom staff didnt help either.

I am really interested in Salarys if everything is made public.

You can never bank on success though. It just isn't feasible. The players have been playing without pay for nine weeks now. Before that we were probably under-performing considering our wage 'budget'. The size of that 'budget' isn't the players' or the backroom staff's concern.

[EalingGreen]

On the basis those "other pockets" are in for personal guarantees themselves and will lose a fairly sizeable amount on wind up I'd guess no.

I'd guess that if cash payments were being made to players, the Directors were persuading (deluding?) themselves that it was justified from the on-field success etc which would follow

From there, it is a small step to concluding that if the players deserve it for their efforts on the field, then we deserve it for our "efforts" (guarantees etc).

In which case, the loss of those guarantees should be the minimum sanction applied (imo).

Lets also not claim under the table payments are something new in Irish football, either North or South.

And let's not impugn other posters for claims they have never actually made.

Doesn't make it right, but anyone who knows football knows its rife.

Or for not "knowing football", for that matter...

[Hairy Bowsie]

I read somewhere that Derrys fate would be decided today, is that correct?

[geysir]

Back on topic. The bad times for clubs should be on the field - not getting yourself in such a hole that you have to flog your assets to cover your operarting costs. There's only so many times a league ground can be sold/mortgaged.

Live within our means. It really is that simple....

Anyway, it is not prudent for a club to own its ground.

That asset should be in trust to be used and maintained by the club, free from risk (due to the boards destructive financial activities) and not be possible to be used as collateral for a loan.

[Mr A]

Lets also not claim under the table payments are something new in Irish football, either North or South.

Indeed. There are almost certainly some clubs feeling very nervous indeed about the idea of the FAI/ tax authorities looking at this issue more closely.

The sooner this happens the better, one step closer to a level playing field for all.

[dortie]

The size of that 'budget' isn't the players' or the backroom staff's concern.

I agree, i also think the board made a critical error in believing that Kenny and the current squad were capable of winning the title. Thats what the budget was based on. They lost the gamble.

[pól-dcfc]

I agree, i also think the board made a critical error in believing that Kenny and the current squad were capable of winning the title. Thats what the budget was based on. They lost the gamble.

True. And even if we had won the league this season and last season - we'd still be up the left. Some serious soul-searching needs to be done. If some of the dodgier dealings that are being touted are true, could individual board members face prosecution?

[Mr A]

True. And even if we had won the league this season and last season - we'd still be up the left. Some serious soul-searching needs to be done. If some of the dodgier dealings that are being touted are true, could individual board members face prosecution?

I was already wondering about that. Certainly it could have implications for their eligibility to be directors of companies.

[EalingGreen]

I agree, i also think the board made a critical error in believing that Kenny and the current squad were capable of winning the title. Thats what the budget was based on. They lost the gamble.

But if the debt is so high as is now being reported, would winning the League have brought in enough revenue to have covered it?

What I cannot understand is, even with under-the-counter payments to players, how can the debt be so high?

After all, over the last two seasons the club has had good crowds, good Cup and European runs, decent League prize money, plus £400k(?) for McCourt and McGinn.

Just how much extra can they have been paying the players?

[Mr A]

Derry Journal:

IF DERRY City Football Club received a gift of £1 million this morning, it still would not be enough to secure the "Candy Stripes" status in the top flight of League of Ireland football, the "Journal" can reveal this morning.

In short, Derry City could face automatic relegation to the League of Ireland First Division this weekend, depending on the outcome of a high powered meeting of the FAI in Abbotstown last night.

It's understood that last night's meeting, which involved the FAI's Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney (pictured right), the FAI Compliance Officer, Padraig Smith and the Director of the League of Ireland, Fran Gavin, was arranged to discuss not only the current financial situation at the Brandywell club, but also to consider information which has been brought to the attention of F.A.I.

[Magicme]

Have just been told they are gone to first division. Not sure how true but thats what am hearing.

[pól-dcfc]

Have just been told they are gone to first division. Not sure how true but thats what am hearing.

Source? It's a bad move if we don't dissolve. Those debts are unpayable.

[dortie]

could individual board members face prosecution?

I hope not, i know 2 of them very well, i travelled the country with both supporting this club. The 2 in question are diehards who also foolishly invested their own money.

[Longfordian]

By the sounds of things they won't have a choice on whether to dissolve or not. I'd imagine there'll be a Revenue audit if there's been under the counter payments discovered. Not a very accomodating creditor I'd imagine there'll be no instalments.

[Magicme]

Source? It's a bad move if we don't dissolve. Those debts are unpayable.

Cant really say, but as I said its not confirmed but its what I am hearing from someone who is fairly reliable on these things.

[Weatherman]

Cant really say, but as I said its not confirmed but its what I am hearing from someone who is fairly reliable on these things.

I heard that same rumour this moring with bray getting a play off spot.

[EalingGreen]

Have just been told they are gone to first division. Not sure how true but thats what am hearing.

I don't understand this.

If they "only" get relegated, that implies that they will still retain their FAI Licence to operate in the LOI, just at a lower level.

Which prompts the question, just what does a club have to do to disqualify themselves from receiving/retaining a Licence?

And if eg Dungannon Swifts or HMRC should close down Wellvan, say, next April, could the FAI simply transfer their old Licence to a new vehicle ("DCFC2010"?) mid-season and carry on as if nothing had happened?

I can well understand why the FAI would want to keep DCFC in the League if at all possible, but delaying what is looking increasingly likely to be inevitable, risks making the shock worse, if/when it does arrive.

[Magicme]

Weatherman exactly what I was told, but as I say its only rumour and conjecture at the moment.

Ealingreen, dont know what is happening on that front but maybe they are ok for a 1st division licence but not for a premier.

[Weatherman]

exactly what I was told, but as I say its only rumour and conjecture at the moment.

yeah its only a rumour, only time will tell.

[MariborKev]

Lads,

It would make sense

- Automatically demote DCFC T/A Wellvan for breaches of licence this season
- Deny a licence for next season.