Finance in place for Wanderers players’ wages

AFTER a turbulent week for Bray Wanderers, former chairman of the supporter’s club, Terry O’Neill, has called for the club to be transferred into community ownership.

After players hearing that there was no more money for wages, club chairman announced an 11th hour financial package on Thursday afternoon. He released a statement saying there would be funding for the rest of the season and into 2018.

Players have sought clarity on the source of the money and commitment that it will be in place.

‘I would like to put on record my continued admiration and support of all the players and coaching staff of our club,’ said Terry. ‘At this troubled time in our club’s history, it’s the players and their families who stand to loose most. With mortgages and bills to pay the uncertainty surrounding their wages must be weighing heavily on their minds. I would urge all football supporters to support the players who represent our town and club.’

He said that under the current regime he finds himself and fellow supporters continually facing crisis after crisis. ‘This cannot be allowed to continue. No amount of money will repair the goodwill lost under the current administration. So I respectfully call on the board to enter into discussions to allow a smooth transfer of ownership back to the community for our club. The future of Bray Wanderers may well lie in a community shared ownership model with some not-for-profit financial backing.’

He welcomed the news that a financial rescue package has been put together, but feels ‘ the future is still uncertain’.

He said that chairman Denis O’Connor has had a ‘reckless spending policy’.

‘U have been involved with Bray Wanderers since 1984 and sat on many committees but I have never seen such total reckless actions in all my time involved,’ he said.

Terry will attend the match versus Cork on Sunday, but he said that no club could be sustained on gate receipts alone. ‘Any club that gambles on attendances and Europe is going down a slippery slope,’ he said.

Officials from the FAI will meet Bray Wanderers reps today to discuss their financial position for the remainder of the season.

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