Connolly and Brown confident deal will lead to even greater success
OUTGOING Dundalk FC owners Paul Brown and Andy Connolly believe that the club will go on to achieve even greater success in the coming years under its new owners.
The pair sold 100% of their shares in the club last week to a PEAK6-led US consortium for an undisclosed figure.
It brings to an end a phenomenal five-and-a-half years for them at the helm during which stage they saved the club from extinction and saw it survive the threat of relegation before going on to enjoy arguably the most successful period in its history.
During their tenure Dundalk FC won three league titles, two EA Sports Cups, an FAI Cup and created history in the group stages of the Europa League.
In a message to fans following the takeover, Paul and Andy said it had been an ‘amazing experience’ but backed the club to continue to grow on and off the field under the new owners.
‘In the five years since we took charge at Dundalk FC we have taken the club from near extinction to becoming the leading club in Ireland. It has been an amazing experi- ence capped by some memorable European nights.
‘With the help of a superb management team, employees, club volunteers, fellow directors and the support of a fantastic group of loyal fans we have built a community based club that has brought pride to the town and to the whole region. We are very proud of this achievement. ‘A word of thanks to our honorary President Mr Des Casey for his advice and guidance during our tenure in charge. ‘But we have been conscious for some time that the pressures of operating our own business, Fastfix, and the day-to-day requirements of running a football club were becoming increasingly challenging. The club requires even more commitment to take it to the next level and that is something we did not believe we would be able to provide. ‘However, we have always said that we would only step down if we found the right kind of owners for the club and in Lilywhite Holdings we believe we have done that. We are confident that they will take Dundalk FC to even greater success in the coming years. ‘Going forward we will continue to assist the new owners in any way that we can. First and foremost we are fans of Dundalk Football Club and we look to supporting the club for many years to come.’
Both Paul and Andy have been made honorary ambassadors of the club following the sale.