Who owns your club?

**Stato** · 19/09/2007, 6:30 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Yeah, you're right. I just have a particularly jaundiced view of various boards in the past ten years. I appreciate I was being unkind to most of them, at least when they started their heart was in the right place.

Agreed, think we've all been jaundiced by the various things that have happened over the years, we keep going back though

Originally Posted by Dodge

BTW John Doran's crowd were definitely NOT fans when they took over in 1991 (from which the group above (and several others including Brian Kerr) saved us)

Was never sure of the motives of Doran and crew, all seemed a little strange at the time. While I wholeheartedly agree that Kerr helped to save us by his work both on and off the pitch (and arguably is doing so again by being the key that unlocked the Kelleher deal), I find it interesting how the myth surfaced about him remortgaging his house to put money into the club. I still hear it doing the rounds every now and then.

**bohsmug** · 19/09/2007, 6:39 PM

Originally Posted by sonofstan

At Bohs you have to proposed and seconded by existing members in good standing and pay a yearly sub (a little more than the cost of a season ticket)- after three years continuous membership you can stand for office. Don't know what it's like elsewhere.

Also your application form is put up on a notice board for a short period of time (2 weeks?) so that if anyone has any objections to you becoming a member they have the opportuntity.

**Aaron** · 19/09/2007, 7:10 PM

The fans own Derry City, we are not privately owned

**dcfc_1928** · 19/09/2007, 7:44 PM

No we don't. The reality is that Wellvan Enterprises Limited "own" Derry City FC.

Wellvan Enterprises is a "Private company limited by shares". The major shareholders are two individuals - Philip O'Doherty and Paul Diamond.

Only a fraction of the club's support are shareholders in Wellvan/DCFC.

It's a romantic notion, but its untrue. DCFC is not owned by the fans.

Originally Posted by City till I Die

The fans own Derry City, we are not privately owned

**Aaron** · 19/09/2007, 8:36 PM

So basically Paul Diamond and Philip O'Doherty own the club? Isnt Philip also involved in Brandywell Properties?

**onceahoop** · 19/09/2007, 9:03 PM

Originally Posted by bohsmug

Also your application form is put up on a notice board for a short period of time (2 weeks?) so that if anyone has any objections to you becoming a member they have the opportuntity.

That's a pre-requisite of any application for membership of a club. Mostly ignored by a lot of clubs in my opinion. My own club nearly paid the price for it once.

**MariborKev** · 19/09/2007, 9:13 PM

Originally Posted by City till I Die

So basically Paul Diamond and Philip O'Doherty own the club? Isnt Philip also involved in Brandywell Properties?

Yes and yes.

AFAIK the club has A shares and B shares. PD and POD own something over 90% of the A shares and therefore own the club.

The board of directors run the club, but they basically don't have any ownership stake.

**Aaron** · 19/09/2007, 9:54 PM

Them 2 are worth a few pound, do they invest much into the club or do we only bring in money from our own making? You learn something new everyday.

**gael353** · 19/09/2007, 10:22 PM

I think.....Limerick 37 is made up of a 40/60% or 60/40% share issue. The LDMC (Junior) schoolboy leagues, ladies hae shares not exceeding 20% each. The rest is made up of private investment again not exceeding 20% to any one group

**sonofstan** · 19/09/2007, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by bohsmug

Also your application form is put up on a notice board for a short period of time (2 weeks?) so that if anyone has any objections to you becoming a member they have the opportuntity.

I'm always tempted to object on grounds like 'we've too many red-headed members already' or 'he's not from round here' or something...

**Dr.Nightdub** · 20/09/2007, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

its owned by a holding company of which Mr Kelleher and his wife are sole directors and share holders. Its kept seperate from Shelbourne Developments.

Mancar Ltd. now own Newtonheath Ltd who trade as Pats

**Macy** · 20/09/2007, 7:38 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_T

Longford Town Private Owner / PLC

Members club, with elected committee, although in practice controlled by whoever's pumping in the money.

**Mr_T** · 20/09/2007, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Maribor

Yes and yes.

AFAIK the club has A shares and B shares. PD and POD own something over 90% of the A shares and therefore own the club.

The board of directors run the club, but they basically don't have any ownership stake.

Interesting, I always wondered how Derry were actually set up. Obviously they have a lot of fan involvement onto the board or various sub committees, but at the end of the day the appointment of directors is down to the tow main owners?

Originally Posted by Macy

Members club, with elected committee, although in practice controlled by whoever's pumping in the money.

I never knew LTFC were a members club. How does one beocme a member there? Is it a subscription thing as well or does it involve putting up a lump of money?

**Mr_T** · 20/09/2007, 11:28 AM

Hows this then?

Any more info?

Code:

CLUB              OWNERSHIP             LEGAL STATUS/DETAILS
Drogheda Utd	Private Owners     Ltd Company (Vincent Hoey, Chris Byrne and Eugene O'Connor)
Shamrock Rvs	Members Club      Monthly Fee, Members Elect Board
St Pats Ath	Private Owner      Ltd Company (Gerry Kelleher)
Cork City	  Private Owner     Ltd Company (Arkaga Investment Fund)
Sligo Rovers	Co-operative
Bohemians	Members Club       Members pay annual fee.  Members propsoed by existing members.  Board elected from members of 3 years standing.
Derry City	Private Owner   Ltd Company (Wellvan Enterprises - Philip O'Doherty and Paul Diamond)
UCD	        College Club
Galway United	Private Owner  Ltd Company (30% owned by Galway & District League)
Bray Wanderers	Private Owner      Ltd Company 
Waterford Utd	Privately Owned     PLC (don't know what the story is with shareholders - is it one or two main ones or is it fan owned)
Longford Town	Private Partnership
Cobh Ramblers	Members Club
Finn Harps	Co-operative       500+ shareholders.  Board elected annually at AGM
Dundalk	           Private Owner        Ltd Company (Gerry Matthews)
Limerick 37	Private Owner      Ltd Company (40% owned by Junior Leagues, max investment = 20%)
Shelbourne	Private Owner      Ltd Company (Accolade  Ltd - Byrne Family)
Monaghan Utd	??
Athlone Town	Private Partnership
Kildare County	Private Owner      Ltd Company 
Wexford Youths	Private Owner      Ltd Company (Mick Wallace)
Kilkenny City	Private Owner      Ltd Company

**MariborKev** · 20/09/2007, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_T

Interesting, I always wondered how Derry were actually set up. Obviously they have a lot of fan involvement onto the board or various sub committees, but at the end of the day the appointment of directors is down to the tow main owners?

T,

I am not 100% certain, ORA would be the man with the info.

I believe that A shareholders hold the right to have x amount of their appointments on the board, but have never taken up this option. The current board was elected by the B shareholders AFAIK, without the A shareholders appointing anyone.

AFAIK Diamond and JR had a fallout and Diamond hasn't been involved since then. Paul and Mary are season ticket holders and are at every home game, but they have no involvement in the club as far as I'm aware. POD hadn't been the the Brandywell in years, but has become involved with the stadium redevelopment and has been back for a few games

**Red Youth** · 20/09/2007, 2:15 PM

Wexford Youths FC owned and managed by the one and only, Mick Wallace

**Philly** · 20/09/2007, 9:38 PM

"Kildare County Football Club Limited is a company limited by guarantee and with no share capital."

Board members and other details here: http://kildarecountyfc.com/aboutus/index.asp

**kdjaC** · 20/09/2007, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Stato

I find it interesting how the myth surfaced about him remortgaging his house to put money into the club. I still hear it doing the rounds every now and then.

Eh thats true

His remortage financed the payment owed to get us back to richer. a shocking 20 grand, wonder how much his gaff is worth now