Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**ThePrisoner** · 04/02/2016, 2:17 PM

Originally Posted by dundalkfc10

He is just trying to get as much money as he can.

Throw in the issue that he built the YDC partially on land without permission, so i doubt he will want to be going to court!

Agree with your first point. He has clearly said that he wants money. Whether he's legally entitled to anything, I don't know.

I don't know anything about the planning process other than it's complex and costly.

If I'm correct Dundalk are at home tomorrow 4 weeks. I don't know the deadline for the licence but the situation will have to be sorted before then. There may only be a 2 or 3 week window.

As I said, if he holds the lease and is honouring his end with the owner of OP then he is in a strong position.

Has anyone seen the lease and its conditions? Would there be any situation or circumstances whereby the lease could be terminated?

**oriel** · 04/02/2016, 2:43 PM

It’s probably worth considering that the exact same issue was in place for the last 3 years when DFC were awarded a PD licence. This being, the current owners were in effect sub leasing the ground from Matthews who held (and still holds the ownership of the lease), with the actual ownership of the ground being retained in trust by Des Casey family in a long term deal to the Football Club. This deal also prevents the ground from being used by anything else other than football.

Nothing has changed this year, and the 3 main parties are as you were, however the owner of the lease has put in an objection it would seem to the FAI in a clear move to demand a payment. The issue over the lease will still need to be resolved long term, as it is this very thing that is preventing the club applying for capital sports grants and FAI assistance for the much needed ground redevelopments.

I don’t see Matthews handing it over the lease for nothing, so a payment will probably need to be agreed at some point. As for the YDC, that’s a whole separate issue which he is trying to attach to the terms of the lease. I don’t think his objection will prevent Dundalk from playing in Oriel Park in 2016, however this obviously won’t just go away, and all parties need to get around a table and soon and sort it out for once and for all.

I think we can expect some sort of comment from DFC on this in the next few days.

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/02/2016, 3:00 PM

Gerry Matthews might just be the hero this league has been waiting for.

**Mr A** · 04/02/2016, 3:18 PM

One thing that has changed is that Dundalk's success and future Champion's League games means they are flush by LOI standards, so it makes sense for Matthews to make his move.

Although the same would have applied last year too, perhaps he's under more pressure now though.

As noted above there are always risks to private ownership models. But then the co-op was a disaster in Dundalk so even if they have to shell out now they'll feel well ahead.

**ThePrisoner** · 04/02/2016, 3:21 PM

If GM holds the lease what's to stop him from locking the club out? Would not be the first landlord to do something like this.

As its money he's after, and he says it is, now is the best time to strike. Success on the field = money and the season starts in four weeks.

**White Horse** · 04/02/2016, 3:24 PM

Originally Posted by ThePrisoner

If GM holds the lease what's to stop him from locking the club out?

It wouldn't do his other businesses in the town any good. He would have a lot of former customers.

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/02/2016, 3:27 PM

As long-term tenants Dundalk would have certain rights as well.

**ThePrisoner** · 04/02/2016, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by White Horse

It wouldn't do his other businesses in the town any good. He would have a lot of former customers.

Some people can be very difficult to deal with and don't care what other people think of them.

**Mr A** · 04/02/2016, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by White Horse

It wouldn't do his other businesses in the town any good. He would have a lot of former customers.

Anyone with a head for good business decisions does not end up owed a quarter of a million euro by an LOI club.

**jinxy lilywhite** · 04/02/2016, 3:35 PM

Originally Posted by ThePrisoner

If GM holds the lease what's to stop him from locking the club out? Would not be the first landlord to do something like this.

As its money he's after, and he says it is, now is the best time to strike. Success on the field = money and the season starts in four weeks.

The primary function of the lease is for football to be played in oriel park. Even as sublettors per se the rent is being payed by the club as nominal as it is.
I don't think dfc can be locked out. Also GM would be in contravention of the lease.

The IT article only gives his side of the story. I don't know if the club will make a statement but probably been advised not too.

To me it doesn't seem as simple as give me 100k or 250k and I will be off. I think there is more to this than meets the eye and Matthews is trying to hoodwink the public.

**ThePrisoner** · 04/02/2016, 3:41 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

As long-term tenants Dundalk would have certain rights as well.

That's one for the legal boys and girls.

The current company that runs the club is separate from the company that GM used to run the company. So you're into the old argument of separate legal entities. Throw in the legal concept of 'transfer of undertaking', was there or was there not? Have a look at the agreement that was put in place to take over the club and put it into the new company. Then add in that in order for the owners of the new company to get a licence the creditors of the old company have to be sorted out. The club have had a least three owners in the last ten years so how was it rolled from one owner to another?

To say they have rights may well be true but they may also have obligations arising from those rights.

Will be interesting to see who blinks first.

**Nesta99** · 04/02/2016, 3:55 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Anyone with a head for good business decisions does not end up owed a quarter of a million euro by an LOI club.

Well he did flog a piece of land for €60k that cost him €800k!

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/02/2016, 4:18 PM

Club statement: http://www.dundalkfc.com/statement-2/

**Nesta99** · 04/02/2016, 4:24 PM

Originally Posted by ThePrisoner

That's one for the legal boys and girls.

The current company that runs the club is separate from the company that GM used to run the company. So you're into the old argument of separate legal entities. Throw in the legal concept of 'transfer of undertaking', was there or was there not? Have a look at the agreement that was put in place to take over the club and put it into the new company. Then add in that in order for the owners of the new company to get a licence the creditors of the old company have to be sorted out. The club have had a least three owners in the last ten years so how was it rolled from one owner to another?

To say they have rights may well be true but they may also have obligations arising from those rights.

Will be interesting to see who blinks first.

If 100k for the lease or the 250k with the YDC also was the cheapest and easiest way out for the club i'm sure it would be taken. If it isnt paid they must have been told by their legal team not to bother. Also if the YDC is thrown in for 250k then Dundalk FC become owners of 400k debt to Louth County Council on top. There was likely to be a method to the madness of building the YDC on the wrong spot infringing on Casey Trust land but may have backfired. GM was very clear during his tenure that the club should have bought the ground outright and made attempts to do so, with good reason the Caseys refused. Access to the YDC is an issue and could prevent future development of the Carrick end or even temporary seating for that matter. To consolidate the YDC and Oriel is what GM is really angling for, a few quid, no further issues with Des Casey, and also has him off the hook of the council debt but at 650k debt to the club. The council wont play ball on the levy for GM but that has to do with other stuff and maybe a bit that the planning office etc has no shortage of Dundalk fc supporters...

When GM bought Hiney Park and then the club there were a few people who questioned his true motives. Dundalk Town Council said at the time that they would not rezone any of the land in question for housing. I dont know how or why a builder would spend 800k on a few acres of a football field that was not going to be rezoned for development but there ye go - maybe there was a belief that strang arm tactics would win out there but instead a local secondary school got a bargain to add to the playing fields in the same area and someone else lost out on over 700k (the reserve on Hiney Park was 45k when put up for sale by GM/Bank).

**Nesta99** · 04/02/2016, 4:55 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Club statement: http://www.dundalkfc.com/statement-2/

Why would anybody be bothered with Eastenders or the like when there is League of Ireland!

I'd love to see the uncensored version of the statement lol

**passinginterest** · 05/02/2016, 9:34 AM

Dalymount plans unveiled. All sounds good until the bit about there being no funds to even proceed to the actual planning application stage. http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...ount-1.2523069
“Obviously, it’s a project that could be done in phases,” says DCC assistant chief executive Brendan Kenny, “and that’s something we have looked at. We have done a feasibility plan and other work but we haven’t got the funding at this point in time. If that became available we could go straight to planning.”

Although it's mentioned that it's possible initial funding will be approved by Dept. of Arts, Sport and Tourism before the election.

**eitoof** · 05/02/2016, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/21919.php#.Vp_RczYopYl

Rugby returning to Markets Field.

Going to be interesting to find out what the implications will be for Limerick FC. As it stands the club maintain the pitch. The costs involved, cutting the grass, lining the pitch etc... If Rugby will be played on the surface then who is responsible to getting it to standard for football.

Is there not enough f***ing rugby pitches in Limerick already?

**Lim till i die** · 05/02/2016, 4:13 PM

Originally Posted by eitoof

Is there not enough f***ing rugby pitches in Limerick already?

Well those poor misfortunes in Garryowen RFC will need a place to play soon while they lay an all weather in Dooradoyle and they are very lucky to have some very lovely friends in the LEDP.

Watch this space.