Storm clouds hovering over Dundalk as Ainscough considers options

Brian Ainscough acquired the club last December. 

Dundalk owner Brian Ainscough. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Dundalk are facing critical battles on and off the pitch ahead of Thursday’s visit of St Patrick’s Athletic on Thursday (7.45pm).

While victory is needed for Jon Daly’s side at Oriel Park to leapfrog Drogheda United off the foot of the table, Irish-born US businessman Brian Ainscough is attempting to offload his shareholding.

Ainscough has been based in Boston for 40 years and initially channelled investment into the league he’d played in by driving Kerry FC’s LOI start-up for the first year.

Dundalk were in local ownership for two years under StatsSports duo Sean O’Connor and Alan Clarke along with Andy Connolly, taking over following the turbulent five-year period of American hedge fund Peak 6.

The regime admitted in February 2023 that extra cash was required to overcome their ‘limitations’ – especially upgrading antiquated Oriel Park – but talks with Hull City benefactor Acun Ilica came to nothing.

After Ainscough acquired their club last December, he spoke of long-term plans for Dundalk but it’s understood a dispute has arisen with the former owners over legacy liabilities.

The full picture of the business he inherited is due to be exposed with the imminent publication of delayed accounts for 2023 showing losses of just over €1m, double the previous year’s trading deficit.

That financial challenge has impaired his ability to bring about the infrastructural improvements initially envisaged. Additional investment planned for the summer was scuppered due to the realisation of what's owed to creditors.

In January, Ainscough's observation of Oriel Park as a “pigsty” at a supporters Q&A event was generally welcomed as an acknowledgement of the upgrades required.

More recently, he expressed his annoyance at the FAI for postponing this game against St Pat’s at 46 hours’ notice before the Saints travelled to Turkey for their Conference League playoff second leg.

It's believed he is considering various options, some less palatable than others, as the battle against the clock applies across the club.

Talks earlier this week with one prospective party, who had previously expressed takeover interest, broke down.

If the club enters Examinership, or SCARP (Small Company Administrative Rescue Process), a mechanism introduced in 2021, they would be subject to a points deduction by the FAI at the end of the season.

Dundalk are one point off Drogheda and with eight games remaining after tonight.

The team finishing second-last in the table must beat a First Division team in the playoff to avoid relegation, a format which sent Cork City down and Waterford up last year.