Supporters to bid for Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers’ supporters' trust, the 400 Club, has announced that is to submit a bid to buy and club and turn it into a members' club.

Rovers are currently in examinership as they look to return to financial solvency after declaring debts of €2.3m, and the 400 Club has committed to bankroll the club during the three-month-long process.

Court-appointed examiner Neil Hughes must find a new investor if the club is to continue and, already, 11 individuals and consortiums are reported to have declared an interest in buying the Hoops.

The 400 Club has now entered the running, citing the successes of fans-owned entities in England.

“This is an opportunity not just to save Rovers, but to secure the club going forward and to develop a more professional approach to running Shamrock Rovers,” said 400 Club chairman Jonathan Roche.

“Who better to trust with this task than the fans, whose loyalty is beyond question? We need an open and accountable Shamrock Rovers to ensure that the club never sees days like these again.”

Hughes has set a deadline of tomorrow for declarations of interest. He will then begin to sift through proposals before making his recommendations.