Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**Longfordian** · 04/11/2016, 8:08 PM

Good news for Sligo.

**El-Pietro** · 04/11/2016, 9:56 PM

I bet they end up playing the whole season in the Brandy again. No work will be done!

**Conroy** · 14/11/2016, 8:48 AM

Dundalk have come to an agreement with previous owner Gerry Matthews and now have the lease to Oriel Park. The Youth Development Centre behind the shed is now also in control of the club. Massive news!

Dundalk FC have come to an agreement with former owner Gerry Matthews regarding the lease of Oriel Park.

Both parties had been in a stand-off over the issue since Andy Connolly and Paul Brown took over the club from the local businessman in 2012.

The issue regarding the lease has prevented Dundalk FC from carrying out upgrade works to Oriel Park, which has become one of the most outdated grounds in the League of Ireland despite the club’s successes on the field of play.

The statement, signed by all three parties, was released this morning and reads as follows: “Dundalk Football Club are pleased to confirm that a full and complete agreement regarding the Lease of Oriel Park has been found with the previous club owner, Gerry Matthews, thus ending a process that began on 18th February 2013 with the initial transfer of ownership of the club to the current owners.

“The agreement also provides for the purchase of the Youth Development Centre at Oriel Park from Mr Matthews by Dundalk Football Club, thus handing full control of the facility to the current owners.”

The club hailed the agreement as huge for the club.

“On behalf of the Dundalk FC Board of Management we are grateful that all parties were able to find a solution that works for everyone based on genuine goodwill,” said Dundalk FC owner, Paul Brown.

“By finding a working relationship with all the parties to this dispute, we have been able to put the past behind us including all financial matters relating to the initial takeover of the club which have been resolved to all parties’ satisfaction.

“The interest of the club and its future in the community has been put first and this will allow us to continue with our development plan to keep the Dundalk Football Club moving forward in the right direction, both on and off the field.

“We have come a long way in a very short time but we want to ensure the long-term growth of the club and in concluding this agreement, we are now able to kickstart the process of applying for government grants and unlocking additional funding means.”

**Conroy** · 14/11/2016, 8:58 AM

And in a strange turn of events the reporter on twitter who reported the story with a screenshot of the agreement has asked for it to be retracted as the club hasn't reached and agreement with the local council yet.

**nigel-harps1954** · 14/11/2016, 9:11 AM

What does this mean for the plot of land up the road purchased by Dundalk recently?

**GCdfc** · 14/11/2016, 9:40 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

What does this mean for the plot of land up the road purchased by Dundalk recently?

What plot of land? I must have missed something.

**jinxy lilywhite** · 14/11/2016, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by GCdfc

What plot of land? I must have missed something.

I thought that myself

**nigel-harps1954** · 14/11/2016, 11:13 AM

Some spies tell me there was a plot of land bought in case Oriel dispute wasn't resolved.

**jinxy lilywhite** · 14/11/2016, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Some spies tell me there was a plot of land bought in case Oriel dispute wasn't resolved.

Not sure on that Nigel to be honest. You might be right

**Kingdom** · 14/11/2016, 12:24 PM

Dundalk fans, would I be right in thinking that when the club were pursuing Matthews there was no expectation that the YDC development would be included in any potential deal?

Really this is great news for Dundalk, and with clearing the way for improvements to Oriel, it's only going to be another positive news story for the league.

**Charlie Darwin** · 14/11/2016, 12:51 PM

Far as I know both sides were trying to lump the other side with the deadweight YDC.

**sadloserkid** · 14/11/2016, 2:14 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Some spies tell me there was a plot of land bought in case Oriel dispute wasn't resolved.

I have a vague memory of hearing this somewhere too. It may have been from nigel-harps of course...

**jinxy lilywhite** · 14/11/2016, 2:24 PM

Pls share lads.

The only plots I can think of is the former hiney park behind oriel that was purchased from GM/nama at auction last year or 18 months ago. This was bought by the grammar school.

Dkit have land on the south of town where their proposal for a ground for louth gaa fell by the wayside a decade or so ago.

**sbgawa** · 14/11/2016, 3:13 PM

Originally Posted by Conroy

Dundalk have come to an agreement with previous owner Gerry Matthews and now have the lease to Oriel Park. The Youth Development Centre behind the shed is now also in control of the club. Massive news!

That's fantastic news and hopefully they can kick on now start with the pitch and do the rebuild next year

**oriel** · 14/11/2016, 3:33 PM

The club will still need to reach agreement with the council before any rebuilding starts. If and when that happens, I'd imagine any spectator improvement plans will be gradual and over a few years, the pitch is the priority.

**ToberonaTornado** · 14/11/2016, 4:17 PM

Latest from Dundalk

STATEMENT Dundalk Football Club can confirm that progress has been made with resolving all of our long-standing issues relating to the lease of Oriel Park. However, until all arrangements are complete, we are not in a position to give a full and detailed statement on this matter.
We are very disappointed that a confidential document was irresponsibly issued in our name without our consent or knowledge this morning. We understand that this has created a demand for information but we need to proceed with care at this time. We will make a full statement when this process is fully complete.

Club not to happy with the Argus lad who released the earlier statement.

We are very disappointed that a confidential document was irresponsibly issued in our name without our consent or knowledge this morning. We understand that this has created a demand for information but we need to proceed with care at this time. We will make a full statement when this process is fully complete.

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

**nigel-harps1954** · 14/11/2016, 4:47 PM

Originally Posted by jinxy lilywhite

Pls share lads.

The only plots I can think of is the former hiney park behind oriel that was purchased from GM/nama at auction last year or 18 months ago. This was bought by the grammar school.

Dkit have land on the south of town where their proposal for a ground for louth gaa fell by the wayside a decade or so ago.

I was told a few weeks back about it. Was told where it was too, but can't remember exactly where. It's only a mile or two from Oriel if that's any good?

My info is from a pretty solid source too. Not exactly Maxi and his stadium plans

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 14/11/2016, 5:08 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

The club will still need to reach agreement with the council before any rebuilding starts. If and when that happens, I'd imagine any spectator improvement plans will be gradual and over a few years, the pitch is the priority.

The pitch isn't up to standard?!!

**White Horse** · 14/11/2016, 5:13 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

That's fantastic news and hopefully they can kick on now start with the pitch and do the rebuild next year

The council is a bigger stumbling block. They want their pound of flesh.

**disgruntled** · 14/11/2016, 5:42 PM

Originally Posted by White Horse

The council is a bigger stumbling block. They want their pound of flesh.

From who?
Surely if Dundalk didn't own anything then they wouldn't be liable ?

If the stadium matter is settled then that's great news for Dundalk FC.
I'm sure there are some simple things which can be done in the interest of fan safety & comfort without the need for planning permission ?