People power for Wexford FC fans
PEOPLE power is coming to Wexford Football Club, which is offering fans and supporters the opportunity to take ownership of Wexford FC.
Membership will be open to everyone and members will fully own and govern the club a member of the SSE Airtricity League - which emerged from the ashes of Mick Wallace’s Wexford Youths.
If it gets the go-ahead and enough support, it wil transform the club from a private limited company to a public, supporter-owned and controlled co-op/trust.
The club committee said this will be a big move and an important step in moving Wexford FC to a fully-sustainable club focused on long-term community objectives after a period when it was in ‘survival mode’.
The Trust will have democratically elected members, based on a ‘one person one vote’ model for the election of officials to the governing committee.
A membership fee of €20 a month for 10 months of the year will apply.
‘We are delighted to move our club to a community-focused model and are thoroughly committed to being a valuable and important element of the community of County Wexford and the entire South East,’ said the club’s finance officer Ray Noonan.
He said at least 100 people would need to buy into the new club to make it financially viable.
Mr Noonan said the change will move Wexford FC to a clearer and more stable position of ownership and governance following the difficulties that faced the club in the early part of 2017.
‘The club is growing all the time. We’ve increased out terms and now have five in the League of Ireland representing Wexford and a growing academy for young players as well as a vibrant under age girls and senior women’s team,’ he said.
‘We need to move to the next levek and broadan our support base,’ said Mr Noonan. He said the club had no paid players or paid officials and was a not-forprofits entity and was looking for the football-loving people of Wexford for support.
‘We want people to come on board and help us try to cememt our position at the top level in senior football.’
Mr Noonan said the co-operative trust model has been widely adopted throughout the SSE Airtricity League, and has been successful for many other clubs in creating a stable and sustainable framework through which to run a club.
‘I think it’s a great project. The facilities are very good and we have got very good and talented players in Wexford and the South East,’ said Mr Noonan, saying he hoped to have the restructured club up and running by November. ‘Everyone is welcome to join the Wexford Supporters Trust. We will soon have membership forms available from Ferrycarrig Park and online at www.wexfordfc. ie.,’ he said. All are invited to attend the public launch event at Whites Hotl at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13. No pre-booking needed.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME ON BOARD AND HELP US TRY TO CEMENT OUR POSITION AT THE TOPLEVEL OF SENIOR FOOTBALL