Blues hero: Linfield must be wary of outside money-men
■ Gorman tells Windsor chiefs to ‘keep it in the family’ after opening club to investors
LINFIELD legend Tony Gorman believes the club should be very cautious before agreeing outside investment and not lose their identity while chasing money.
Gorman says the club should resist the temptation to open the door to someone who isn’t a supporter.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed last week that the Blues would consider selling up to 49 per cent of the club to outside investors. Linfield informed members of their plans at the club’s Annual General Meeting on Friday night in Belfast.
The Blues will not sell a controlling interest in the south Belfast club but will consider some form of outside investment, if it is right for the club.
As more finances come into the League and Larne have reasserted their dominance with back to back titles, Linfield’s board are considering ways to boost finances while not handing full control to another party.
The club’s members will be nervous about any move in that direction and Gorman feels any investor should have a strong connection to the club.
“The way Linfield are run, you would need to have the support of the club’s members,” said Gorman who won two titles and an Irish Cup at Windsor Park.
“Any investment should come from a supporter who has the club at heart and not someone who can come in and view it as a business opportunity or chance to make money.
“We all know it’s difficult to make money out of football because of wages and other costs but it would be better to see someone who really cares about the club providing some investment. Linfield have money but like all other clubs they have wages and bills to pay.
“The Blues have several board members and I think it’s important that the club keeps it’s identity. One individual should not have considerable power, there’s risk involved in that.”
TONY Gorman believes Linfield must sort out their firepower if they want to pip Larne to the Sports Direct Premiership title next season.
David Healy’s side retained the Betmclean Cup but came up short in their pursuit of League and Irish Cup success.
Gorman, a midfield magician in David Jeffrey’s all-conquering Linfield side, feels the Blues have lacked a prolific finisher.
While Larne have the deadly duo of Lee Bonis and Andy Ryan, Linfield’s frontmen, including high-profile signing from Glenavon Matthew Fitzpatrick, have struggled to keep the goals flowing.
“I backed Linfield all the way to challenge for the title but they don’t have that 20 goal a season prolific striker,” continued the former Portadown and Coleraine ace.
“Robbie Mcdaid has been unfortunate with injuries and had he been fit it might have been a different story for the Blues this season.
“It’s so unfortunate that Robbie has suffered different injury setbacks. You look at Larne with Lee Bonis and Andy Ryan having 20 plus goals, while the Blues don’t have that.
“I’m surprised Matthew (Fitzpatrick) hasn’t scored more goals, he was a standout player at Glenavon. Matthew works very hard for the team but that’s perhaps to the detriment of him scoring goals.
“He works hard outside the box and down the channels but at Linfield you have (Kirk) Millar and (Joel) Cooper who can run wide and Matthew should be in the box more often than he is.
“The headed goal he scored against Coleraine was a trademark finish you would expect from him.
“He’s well thought of at Linfield and his work-rate is appreciated but you want a striker to get more goals and be in the position to score goals.
“I thought Linfield were very strong in the first half of the Irish Cup Final but they were unable to get a second goal and the equalising goal changed it for the Reds. Ronan Hale is a smashing player.
“The Blues made a few changes with Braiden Graham and Josh Archer but it didn’t work out for them.”
Gorman believes Linfield should be wary of outside investment unless it comes from a supporter of the club.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed last week that the Blues would consider selling up to 49 per cent of the club to outside investors.
Linfield informed members of their plans at the club’s Annual General Meeting on Friday night in Belfast.
The Blues will not sell a controlling interest in the south Belfast club but will consider some form of outside investment, if it was right for the club.
At a time when Larne have just won back-to-back titles, Linfield’s board are looking at ways to raise finances while not handing full control to another party.
The club’s members will be watching any developments closely and former Linfield hero Gorman feels it would be smarter to consider financial support from someone who is a supporter.
“The way Linfield are run, you would need to have the support of the club’s members,” said Gorman. “Any investment should come from a supporter who has the club at heart and not someone who can come in and view it as a business opportunity or chance to make money.
“We all know it’s difficult to make money out of football because of wages and other costs but it would be better to see someone who really cares about the club providing some investment.
“Linfield have money but like all other clubs they have wages and bills to pay.
“The Blues have several board members and I think it’s important that the club keeps it’s identity.
“One individual should not have considerable power, there’s risk involved in that.
“You don’t become rich overnight. Larne’s progress has been brilliant for them and the league as other clubs have lifted their standards.
“Coleraine have accepted investment and money coming into the League is good as it gets spread out. When Ballymena United got a nice transfer fee for Shay Mccartan (£100,000 plus VAT) it was spent within the League.”