NEW CO-OP MODEL PUT FORWARD TO HELP SUSTAIN DUNDALK FC
REVAMPED LOTTERY AIMED AT GENERATING AN ADDITIONAL £50,000 PER ANNUM DECEMBER 1998
DUNDALK FC’s push to survive is given impetus when the board of directors launches a revamped lottery to bring in an extra £50,000 annually.
The board also gives its approval to a proposal to turn the club into a co-operative, indicating the directors would step aside to facilitate a takeover by supporters.
In tandem, the Supporters’ Club is preparing to call a meeting in Oriel Park to ascertain the level of backing for Dundalk and ‘ to see how far people are prepared to go to back the club,’ says chairwoman, Regina O’Hare.
The board is endorsing a proposal by former director Aidan Gaughran to set up a co-operative of 4,000 shareholders, each contributing £100, ‘with plans and activities to ensure the club continues in the Premier Division,’ a statement says.
PRO Enda McGuill points out ‘ to keep a team in the Premier Division and to have hope of success, we need to increase existing revenue by 50%.’
Mr McGuill is hopeful Dundalk can put the worst of the crisis behind it to avoid further off-loading of players.
‘In the meantime, we have to get through the season,’ he states and a re-vamp of the club lottery is the first concrete move to achieve that.
A coupon is devised and supporters are asked to select a set of numbers for the draw and pay £12 every quarter.
The aim is to attract 1,000 extra subscribers which would boost income by almost £50,000 a year.
After Christmas, Dundalk will push its raceday draw for The Curragh on 23 May.
Poker classics, which have proved popular, will recommence.
Mr McGuill reveals the board ‘wholeheartedly welcomes Aidan Gaughran’s concept and is writing to encourage him to bring it to fruition.
‘In the event of the proposal being successful it would amount to a takeover of the club, and the board would not stand in the way of such a development.
‘In the meantime, we will play our part to keep the club in football.’
Giving his reaction, Mr Gaughran says he is glad to hear the board endorses the plan.
However, he stresses for the proposal to advance the real situation regarding debts has to be determined.
‘ There’s no point raising £400,000 if it goes straight to pay off debts.’
His idea is to start off with a ‘clean sheet, build the team, have enough money to run the club for a year and build rather than deplete the financial strength of the club by paying off debts.’
Meanwhile, at a council meeting Cllr Jim Cousins calls on townspeople to rally around Dundalk FC.
There is general support for his motion to that effect from Cllr Martin Bellew and Cllr Stephen Burns who notes football has transcended sectarian barriers over the years.
Cllr Pearse O’Hanrahan says Mr Gaughran’s proposal offers real hope, and Cllr Séamus Keelan urges people who have drifted away from Oriel Park to return to support the club.