Goodbye to Galway United as Salthill Devon takeover is completed

**Terry** · 02/12/2004, 12:56 PM

The Salthill Devon takeover of Galway United is now complete, making way, the United board of directors say, for National League Football for the west of Ireland.

A strategic review of the way forward for the Galway United club was undertaken and it was decided that to be sucessful the club would need an enhanced structure both in operational and infrastructural resources.

A statemenet issued by the club stated: “Since the current board took over in 2001 it has worked closely with Salthill Devon and given the structure of that organisation and it’s achievements to date, it was the logical choice to evaluate integrating the two clubs. Accordingly, negotiations were entered into by the two entities and agreement has been reached whereby Salthill Devon has assumed ownership and operational control of Galway United with immediate effect.”

In the coming weeks an interim executive for Galway United will be appointed. Thereafter a new board of directors will be constituted, made up of many of those who served on the old Galway United Board, members of Salthill Devon plus a number of new members who, it is hoped, will add weight and energy to the project.

Niall O'Reilly of Galway United says the next step now is the application for a UEFA licence, which is due to be decided on by February. In the meantime, Galway United will not change its name until next year.

"This is a very positive move for the club," said O'Reilly. " For years the club has been wandering aimlessly. It has been on life support, struggling financially, and this is just the opportunity for a great team to grow and develop."

Galway United Supporters Trust, meanwhile, will hold an open forum tonight in Kate's Bar, Galway Shopping Centre at 9.00pm. The main objectives of this forum will be to discuss the recent takeover of the club, and to share information and to decide the future strategy of the Supporters Trust. All members, season ticket holders, club voluntary workers and anyone interested in the survival of Galway United are asked to attend.

**TheLedge** · 02/12/2004, 1:22 PM

Just want to clear something...

Did O reilly say "Galway United wont be changing its name until next year"?

I'm not clear on this.

Where I support in theory the moves by SDFC to try and improve Galway's league of Ireland team, I cannot support any name change!

**Terry** · 02/12/2004, 1:39 PM

Originally Posted by TheLedge

Just want to clear something...

Did O reilly say "Galway United wont be changing its name until next year"?

I'm not clear on this.

Where I support in theory the moves by SDFC to try and improve Galway's league of Ireland team, I cannot support any name change!

I can tell you he has quoted this a number of times within the last week or so

**Hibs4Ever** · 02/12/2004, 1:42 PM

Change their name to what?

**Terry** · 02/12/2004, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by SAINTS4EVER

Change their name to what?

either galway devon

or salthill devon

probably

**TheLedge** · 02/12/2004, 1:48 PM

It's a big mistake to change the name.

MK Dons anyone??

**Patrick Dunne** · 02/12/2004, 1:56 PM

Both Nial and the writer of the article would be against any name change.
I think that the article is being used as a means of generating support for our cause.

The Tribune used the same tactic. The media is an important tool with which to fight our new owners as (a) we have a lot of media contacts and (b) these
egotists hate bad publicity.

The Sun : "My Salthill hell" - an exclusive Breen Geraghty interview

**TheLedge** · 02/12/2004, 2:04 PM

Is there an article online from any Galway newspapers covering it so I can read?

not living in Galway you see!

cheers

**galwaygirl** · 02/12/2004, 2:22 PM

Originally Posted by TheLedge

Is there an article online from any Galway newspapers covering it so I can read?

not living in Galway you see!

cheers

all i can find at the moment is the link on the galway advertiser
http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/dws/s...ort/53657.html

which is just what Terry sent in earlier

all last weeks papers covered it but with new editions out this week, it'll be hard to find them

**TheLedge** · 02/12/2004, 2:33 PM

thanks GG,

found that myself just now. I dont see anywhere in print where Nial O reilly mentions a name change however.

I'd like to see it in writing before I start to fret!

**Éanna** · 02/12/2004, 3:33 PM

have to admit, i don't think changing names is a good idea. GUFC was an established name in the League, and I can't see this attracting new support. If they had to change name, they should keep Galway in the title at least.

**GalwayFrancis** · 02/12/2004, 3:48 PM

Originally Posted by Éanna

have to admit, i don't think changing names is a good idea. GUFC was an established name in the League, and I can't see this attracting new support. If they had to change name, they should keep Galway in the title at least.

well i think devon is from Devon Park and housing estate in salthill,, so that should be in the name

**Éanna** · 02/12/2004, 3:54 PM

Galway Devon anyone? The point is though, that if you take galway out of the name, then a lot of people might not identify with it as much.

**TheLedge** · 02/12/2004, 3:57 PM

Ah in fairness putting Salthill or indeed 'Devon 'in the name would be a joke!

Salthill is such a small part of Galway as a whole, and Devon? Devon is about 50 houses! wtf has Devon got to do with GUFC? nowt i tells ya!

Salthill Devon will either change the name of GUFC to Salthill Devon OR leave it alone.

GALWAY UNITED IS THE ONLY LOGICAL NAME FOR "GALWAY'S" LEAGUE OF IRELAND FOOTBALL TEAM!!!

**GalwayFrancis** · 02/12/2004, 4:38 PM

Originally Posted by TheLedge

Ah in fairness putting Salthill or indeed 'Devon 'in the name would be a joke!

Salthill is such a small part of Galway as a whole, and Devon? Devon is about 50 houses! wtf has Devon got to do with GUFC? nowt i tells ya!

Salthill Devon will either change the name of GUFC to Salthill Devon OR leave it alone.

GALWAY UNITED IS THE ONLY LOGICAL NAME FOR "GALWAY'S" LEAGUE OF IRELAND FOOTBALL TEAM!!!

woops... i was suppose to write, that devonshould not be in the name

**GalwayFrancis** · 02/12/2004, 4:39 PM

Originally Posted by TheLedge

GALWAY UNITED IS THE ONLY LOGICAL NAME FOR "GALWAY'S" LEAGUE OF IRELAND FOOTBALL TEAM!!!

even the name says it,,, Galway.......United....

**Terry** · 03/12/2004, 7:13 AM

well names that we could be looking at could be:

Galway United
Salthill Devon
Galway Devon
Galway FC
Galway Athletic (as salthills old name is salthill athletic)

and finally the one that is spreading like a wild fire

"Galway Devon United"

**CollegeTillIDie** · 03/12/2004, 7:18 AM

Originally Posted by Terry

well names that we could be looking at could be:

Galway United
Salthill Devon
Galway Devon
Galway FC
Galway Athletic (as salthills old name is salthill athletic)

and finally the one that is spreading like a wild fire

"Galway Devon United"

Ye must all be children.. the obvious name to use is the old one...
come back Galway Rovers all is forgiven

**Hibs4Ever** · 03/12/2004, 7:32 AM

I remember a few years back when we joined with St Francis there was talk of changing our name to DUBLIN SAINTS. The fans went mad and protested at an early stage and it never happened in the end. Hopefully it won't happen with Galway Utd