FAI 'hopeful' of positive outcome to Droghedian nightmare

John Delaney today spoke of the imminent decision from the High Court with regards Drogheda United. The hearing was set for this morning, however Drogheda spokesperson Terry Collins was left disappointed following Ms Justice Finlay Geoghegan’s decision to seek further clarification on the type of funding secured by the club after receiving the report of the examiner.

“I hope they survive. We had meetings here a couple of weeks ago where we mediated between the PFAI and the players and thankfully that worked out. That was important to get that side of it sorted. I think they’ve made a lot of progress,” said Delaney.

“I think the players have to be congratulated on what they did because if they didn’t do what they did then the club would have been in real danger. The supporters have been really fantastic up there. Some of the stories I’ve been told and read, it really is extraordinary what they have done in terms of fundraising. Kids selling their Christmas presents and all that is really, really fantastic."

A decision will not be made until at least next Thursday, and should Drogheda be allowed leave Examinership, yet more questions will arise. Today Delaney was quizzed on whether or not the FAI would assist in seating United Park, so as to bring it up to the Premier Division’s regulations, should Drogheda’s previously unlikely recovery actually succeed.

“The main barrier would probably be the 65% rule, to [keep club wages] within the 65% of [club] turnover. Now that will only be determined out of a court action. I think that would be seen as the biggest impediment. In terms of plans to develop United Park, I think the FAI would certainly be supportive towards ensuring that United Park met the criteria. That is an issue that wouldn’t be an impediment; in fact we’ve had our facilities department up there looking at plans of how we would deal with that issue."

“They are still in the position of survival, and when they survive then, which division they are to play in will then be determined, as with all other clubs applications, by the clubs licensing committee,” added Delaney.