Drogheda facing doomsday situation

DROGHEDA UNITED are facing doomsday in just two weeks if a sum of €200,000 is not raised by the end of this month.

With Bohemians still facing the prospect of winding up proceedings in the High Court, the news brings further uncertainty to the domestic game ahead of the new season’s kick off on March 4th.

The supporters who are in the process of setting up a new company to take over Drogheda United, have warned the people of the town that they should be in no doubt that if the money required is not raised by the end of January, the 92-year-old club will cease to exist.

Following a public meeting on Monday night, Vincent Hoey, former chairman and still one of the club’s three main shareholders, said: “We are hugely encouraged by the calibre and dedication of the people that have taken it upon themselves to step forward to try and keep Drogheda United alive at this time.

“At the risk of repeating myself, I always saw myself as a custodian of Drogheda United for the people of the town and region rather than an owner or shareholder.

“I and my fellow shareholders tried to make the club self-sustaining with our ambitious stadium plans. That clearly didn’t work for reasons that are well documented. I sincerely hope that with more people involved now and with the offer of community ownership on the table, people will lend their unequivocal support to this group.

“I certainly will help in any way that I can. Unfortunately, however, myself and the other shareholders are unable to financially underpin the club going forward.”

The supporters’ group explained that the projected shortfall now stands at around €150,000 and that this includes a debt of €55,000, some of which goes back to the club’s period in Examinership.

Brian Markey, who is a member of the group’s finance committee, stressed that, unlike in 2008 when the club asked for donations from the public to get it through the examinership process, the current proposal is about asking people to buy shares and therefore own and have a say in the running of the club. It was made clear that any monies raised will be lodged in a dedicated bank account and, if by the end of January, the sum is insufficient to proceed, all monies will be returned to the applicants. One supporter, Niall Gregory, captured the mood in football circles on Boyneside, when he said: “The message simply isn’t getting through to people. I think they see it as the club crying wolf again. But this is serious and the club will be wound up in two weeks if we don’t do something quick to raise money.”

If Drogheda do go out of business, it could open the door to Cobh Ramblers replacing them in the Airtricity League First Division next season although, for now, the hope throughout Irish football will be that the 2007 champions can somehow avoid the doomsday scenario. The club says that anyone interested in applying for shares in the new company can do so online at www.droghedaunited.ie or can leave their name and contact number on 085-8800711 and a member of the group will call back.