Delaney: ‘new’ Derry would be welcome
Accompanying Delaney to Foyleside were League of Ireland Director Fran Gavin, Compliance Officer Pauric Smith and Club Licensing Officer Richard Fahy. The delegation met with a number of groups in their attempts to gather information relating to the future of the Candystipes in senior football, having opted to expel them from the league last Saturday due to player contract irregularities.
Delaney later claimed the response his deputation received from a wide range of people committed to the future of the club had been “positive, encouraging and uplifting.
“I think they have presented us with a road map to put Derry City back into the League of Ireland next season.’’
He added: “We’ve met business people such as Paul Diamond, Philip O’Doherty and Patrick Durkin and from the football side Jack McCauley, Martin McDaid and Hugh McDaid.
“We’ve learned the extent of Derry City’s debts could be as high as £800,000 (€890,000), therefore, the formation of a new company is unlikely to take that debt on board. I feel the preferred option, having spoken to the various groups, would be the formation of a new company which would apply to the FAI for membership of the First Division next season.
“If a new company applies to the FAI in the future to play in the League of Ireland, provided the quality of the application was good enough, I would see no reason why we wouldn’t look on such an application favourably.
“We have also been told that the resources will be put in place to ensure that Derry City makes the best ever application and if that comes before the FAI Board then from my perspective as a Board member, we will look upon it favourably.’’
When questioned on the possibility of Derry securing prize money having finished in fourth spot, Delaney was not so accommodating.
“In short, Derry City are in debt to the FAI and the money owed to Derry City by the FAI would balance itself out,” he confirmed.
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