LAST UPDATE | 17 Sep 2024
A DEAL TO save Dundalk has been confirmed by the League of Ireland club.
A statement released this evening states that local barrister John Temple has taken over from previous owner Brian Ainscough.
Temple “will lead a consortium of investors who have agreed to underwrite the players’ current wages until the end of the season and will examine the viability of the club and its facilities going forward.”
A new board will be confirmed in the coming weeks and a meeting will also taking place with players.
The 42 understands a figure in the region of €3 million will be required to make the Premier Division club sustainable, clearing debts that are upwards of €1.5m as well as providing the necessary capital on an ongoing basis thereafter.
Yesterday, Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne also confirmed that a further €500,000 would be forthcoming for upgrade work at Oriel Park as part of their Sports Capital Grant Application, provided the club remained in existence.
Referencing that commitment in the statement, Temple said: “Dundalk is a football town and the club is hugely important to all the staff, players and supporters.
“We appreciate the concerns raised by all of our supporters in recent weeks and it has underscored what the club means to every one of them.
“We are fully supportive of Jon Daly and the team to get the results required on the pitch. I am more concerned right now about getting the off-field matters sorted.
“We are very grateful to Minister Thomas Byrne who has pledged the Government’s support for our Sports Capital Grant application, which is most welcome, and this is the silver lining for today’s takeover announcement.”
Ainscough admitted last week that liquidation was a real possibility unless a new owner was found.
The Boston-based businessman initially set self-imposed deadline of 5pm yesterday to secure a deal for the club.
The 42 reported yesterday that he had extended that deadline as two interested groups put forward serious proposals.
While Temple will lead the new ownership, another group of investors primarily based in Slovakia, with a Louth native to its forefront, are willing to join forces as minority owners and are due to arrive for further talks this evening and tomorrow morning.
An initial €360,000 was required to ensure the club could see out the remainder of this Premier Division campaign.
Daly’s side are bottom of the top flight and in a battle to survive relegation with Louth rivals Drogheda United.
A deal to save the club has now been completed before they face Sligo Rovers on Saturday.
Jeez….. yesterday apparently they only needed a million.
Amazing a takeover can be approved by the fai within 24hrs and that there is no mention of a points deduction for the gross mismanagement of the club. A farce
@Spud: And yet the same people who constantly winge about the FAI on here probably couldn’t be bothered voting TDs in for the next election to make up the Oireachtas committees where opposition and government try to hold FAI to account.
@Spud: with players going unpaid and this late rescue deal, there certainly should be a points deduction.
Fantastic News.
League of Ireland.
Remember that …….Ireland
Young Boys against Aston Villa in the Champions League….. I’d love to know who was responsible for naming that stadium
@Jp Cleary: I take it you’re not familiar with the cricket stadium in Mumbai.
Unfortunately this type of situation is going to arise every so often with League of Ireland clubs. Of course every instance different and multiple factors sometimes the cause but I think one of the biggest problems is that most LOI clubs just don’t get enough people going through the gates. Too many Irish people are willing to spend hundreds of euro regularly going to see their favourite English team but won’t spend a fraction of that on an Irish side. Obviously there is a difference in quality but this lack of support of our own teams is a major hindrance. Until Irish people support their own teams to a far greater degree I’m afraid I can see some clubs going out of existence.
Half a million promised from the taxpayers for upgrade works. Wonder what that will be
@Jp Cleary: at least a bike shelter and hopefully a new microwave for canteen as well.
Anything new on Del Boy or is it all just chip wrapping at this stage