Leeson banks on return from United investment

ALMOST 7.30pm on a Thursday and Nick Leeson is trying to get the baby to sleep.

It’s been another manic day in the offices of Galway United, what with Terryland hosting an open-air concert this summer and a celebrity five-a-side tournament that will include soap opera actors.

It hasn’t stopped since Leeson was unveiled as commercial manager. There have been four offers from documentary-makers to follow ‘the man who broke Barings’ in his new job.

All have been refused, Leeson says, until things calm down.

And this week, Galway United, sitting lowly in the eircom League First Division, were still fielding interview requests from newspapers on the continent.

Leeson hasn’t had time to reflect on tonight’s cup match, pitting Cork City, the top team in the league against, pretty much the bottom.

“It’s going to be a giant- killing of epic proportions if we pull it off,” Leeson accepts.

“But stranger things have happened.”

Strange things do happen. Leeson as commercial manager of Galway United is testament to that. Even allowing for the publicity and the passage of a few weeks, it is still a little hard to take in.

When he was announced as United’s commercial manager, everyone wanted a piece. His name, if not his reputation, have opened some doors.

“Usually someone in my role will have to go through 10 or 12 people before talking to the decision-maker. Because of who I am, I tend to get the decision-makers immediately. But I still haven’t managed to secure any sponsorship from a bank,” he laughs.

However, his celebrity hasn’t diminished his passion for the job in hand - ensure a viable and secure financial footing for Galway United. It is a tough task for Leeson and he views tonight’s opponents very much as role models.

“We have to be looking at a team like Cork as a role model. They are the top team in the country, and have not only survived but created this institution in a place where GAA is very strong. They have done that by getting the community involved.

“That is what we want to do in Galway. This evening is about Galway United gauging itself against Cork. Seeing how much of the road they’ve travelled and how much further away their goal is.

“This club is underachieving considering its resources. We want to be in a position where we have Premier Division status and challenging for Europe. That is what we are building towards.”

As far as tonight goes, this cup tie is a diversion to achieving that goal. And Leeson accepts there is a lot of work to do. Gate receipts at United account for less than 10% of what they need to survive each year.

“The situation is improving with regard to getting the local community on board, but people are still sceptical when it comes to the club and it is hard to blame them.

“The club has been around for 27 or 28 years and hasn’t really delivered on its promises, but Cork City are certainly one of the clubs we want to follow the example of.”

Tonight, Aer Arann will be emblazoned across the United shirts, a sponsorship Leeson feels is a result of the publicity from his appointment.

“It’s a start. A slow start, but you have to begin somewhere. As for those offers of documentaries and requests from foreign newspapers, they can wait.”

Wait until Leeson can show them that Galway United are moving.