So which clubs are in danger of not finishing the season?

[Dodge]

However, the rules when we came into the premier back in 2000 were supposed to be 1500 covered seats (and arguably it was our decision to comply that started our financial issues). It was subsequently put into licencing - both UEFA and Premier.

Its actually 1,500 seats, with a minimum of one third of all seating to be covered now

[gael353]

Work has commenced this week on a major upgrade of the Station Road Stadium. The development includes the provision of a 600 seater stand, turnstiles, realigning and lengthening the pitch to 95 metres. Also included in the works is the erection of screen fencing at the rear of the Town goals, additional security monitoring, the installation of lightning protection and other ancillary works.

The stand which will be constructed of galvanised steel with non-slip deck and aluminium hand-railings will be erected on the Milltown side of the grounds.


Dear god why?

[superfrank]

Maybe Newbridge are going to take Kildare's place next seasin?

[sligored]

from todays independant
Cork's problems are dire, but hardship is being felt everywhere with dormant volcanoes now releasing more than mere puffs of smoke. Today is a big day for Cobh Ramblers who need to satisfy the Revenue Commissioners or else face the plug being pulled, while Sligo Rovers are not out of the woods, although they appear to have somewhat exaggerated the potential outcome of their difficulties.

Bohemians are table toppers, but their financial health is dubious with the players at Dalymount Park seeking assurances about their future. The prize money for winning the league should help, but then, as last year's winners Drogheda know, the boost from that is only short-term once your ground situation remains uncertain.

The protracted delays surrounding the Louth club's scheduled move to a new home mean that the club's future is in jeopardy.

[Celdrog]

Do you think the FAI would force you to play in another ground? Genuine question.

I would reckon we get two choices, the first is to move to Oriel/Dalymount until we have the stadium. The second is play in United Park in the first division.

If a sod is turned in the new stadium location I reckon we will be allowed stay, but being realistic if the NRA objection is upheld and a new stadium is not forthcoming I cannot see us staying full time professional

[KildareFan]

Work has commenced this week on a major upgrade of the Station Road Stadium. The development includes the provision of a 600 seater stand, turnstiles, realigning and lengthening the pitch to 95 metres. Also included in the works is the erection of screen fencing at the rear of the Town goals, additional security monitoring, the installation of lightning protection and other ancillary works.

The stand which will be constructed of galvanised steel with non-slip deck and aluminium hand-railings will be erected on the Milltown side of the grounds.


Dear god why?

Eh, do you want the obvious answer? to try and attract some new fans who maybe don't want to spend 10 euro to stand against a railing but might come and watch a game if they had a seat to sit in.

As far as i am aware, it's all being paid for by an FAI grant so i think a better question would be why not?

[Dodge]

Is someone really questioning why a club wants to develop its facilities?

jaysus...

[Longfordian]

Its actually 1,500 seats, with a minimum of one third of all seating to be covered now

I know it used to be 1500 covered seats definitely because we had to cram a few extra seats into our stand to comply in 2004. As regards Macy's points, I think the decision to put in all the seats for the European game in 2001 was what started it really. No proper financing of it was done and half of it had to be redone in 2004 anyway. Anyhow, that's off the point.

[gael353]

Is someone really questioning why a club wants to develop its facilities?

jaysus...

not against it at all, only they dont own it and i dont think they'll be around too long more it will be a grand venue for leinster senior league games.

[Nesta99]

Imove to Oriel/Dalymount until we have the stadium.

Have to get pitch situation sorted before Oriel is an option, which im sure will happen. Would enjoy having double the amount of Premier games to watch next season in Oriel....go some way to making up for what has been missed over the last 6 seasons
Are there serious possibilities that teams could be relegated due to finances? Honest question as some people would have to eat significant humble pie in the FAI over their fudging of the invitational league

[KildareFan]

not against it at all, only they dont own it and i dont think they'll be around too long more it will be a grand venue for leinster senior league games.

Won't be around that long????? what are you basing that on?

No, they don't own the ground but Newbridge Town wouldn't have got the grant without Kildare County. The two clubs have been working together and are putting together quite a decent little ground.

What do you think Kildare County should do? not bother with the stand? accept that there isn't a future for them in the game? or should they try to bring through young local players who won't be a drain on resources and might attract supporters to come to the ground especially now as they will have somewhere to sit.

[brianw82]

There was already a stand at Station Road. It would have sat 200 or so.

[Buller]

There was already a stand at Station Road. It would have sat 200 or so.

I wouldnt have called that a proper stand though. All ground improvements should be welcomed!!

[ciaraa]

No one's slagging United Park as such, a lot of us prefer covered terracing to seats. However, the rules when we came into the premier back in 2000 were supposed to be 1500 covered seats (and arguably it was our decision to comply that started our financial issues). It was subsequently put into licencing - both UEFA and Premier. The fudge has been to allow future plans to get around that (and not just for Drogs), and for many years in some cases.

ok didnt know that - thanks for the info. as for the slaggings I meant in general really. utd park is certainly dated but its not that bad I would have thought. bit of character in the old place .
as an aside, someone mentioned the possibility of playing in dalymount/oriel next season well I for one would happily take relegation then be forced to play regularly in dublin or gundalk. would I be alone amongst drogs fans on here?

[Celdrog]

I for one would happily take relegation then be forced to play regularly in dublin or gundalk. would I be alone amongst drogs fans on here?

Yes

[Louth4sam]

someone mentioned the possibility of playing in dalymount/oriel next season well I for one would happily take relegation then be forced to play regularly in dublin or gundalk. would I be alone amongst drogs fans on here?

What a bizarre statement. You'd rather play in the first division than the premier league if it meant travelling an extra 30 minutes to see your home games??
We would welcome the Drogs to Oriel next season no problem if they needed somewhere to play. Would really depend on what happens with our pitch though as it failed uefa tests that where run on it so we didnt get a premier licence this year.

[pete]

Would really depend on what happens with our pitch though as it failed uefa tests that where run on it so we didnt get a premier licence this year.

I thought that pitch was approved by Uefa & Fifa?

Drogs future in doubt as seems stadium issue coming to a conclusion very soon.

The Drogs application to build a €35 million, 10,000 seater sports stadium

35m? surely not?

Drogheda United sources say the club investors have spent €12 million in the past four years ‘on the basis that they would have a self supporting stadium by 2008

3m a season? I never understood this logic. Why not just keep the cash for when the stadium is ready? On the field success while at United Park doesn't seem to have boosted support by much.

[ciaraa]

What a bizarre statement. You'd rather play in the first division than the premier league if it meant travelling an extra 30 minutes to see your home games??
We would welcome the Drogs to Oriel next season no problem if they needed somewhere to play. Would really depend on what happens with our pitch though as it failed uefa tests that where run on it so we didnt get a premier licence this year.

not really bizarre. at the minute average attendance in utd park is around 1700 or something?? (which is actually not a bad average considering the complete muck on offer for your hard earned euro). how many of those would travel to scumdalk (happy jinxy? ) or dublin for a mid table match against UCD/Bray etc?
obviously once off matches in euro are fine (drogs in dalymount, dk-malmo in utd park etc.) but for a season it would be disaster and alienate a lot of already disillusioned fans with the way the club is going.
just my opinion of course.

[Nesta99]

Ciaraa in what way are the drog fans disillusioned, is it simply on field performances? after that seems the club are making a hell of an effort but being scuppered. All this going out of business stuff if stadium is not built is a load of horse sh#te really. Drogheda Utd can continue as a club, just not at the level of cost currently - how did the club exist without sugar daddies in the past (not without problems i know) Monaghan, Wexford 2 clubs living within means and developing all the time.....

and i managed to refrain from clichéd terms for our southern neighbours ah what the hell the dregs, drugheda blah blah and get it right it is Fundalk and the posh parts Fundalkey

[Longfordian]

If people who have put in large sums of money on the basis of the stadium being built want their money back then the club is in serious jeopardy. That's the impression I get from the article.