Fears continue to mount for Derry City
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Following a meeting with the FAI on Thursday evening, the future of Derry City has been thrown into further doubt.
The Candystripes are due to travel to Oriel Park on Friday to meet Dundalk in their final league game of the season, but their long-term future is not clear.
Along with outstanding wages owed to players, the club also owe payment to both Dungannon Swifts and Linfield. They are struggling to raise extra funds and are due to sit down with sponsors and local businessmen early next week to outline the situation they find themselves in.
Recent speculation suggested that the club would seek a move to the Irish League in a cost-cutting measure, but chairman Pat McDaid was quick to quash those rumours.
However, the harsh reality of their financial troubles crippling their day-to-day running of the club has come to the fore with the FAI confirming that a crunch meeting will be held just hours after the Premier Division season comes to a close.
"Further to a meeting between Derry City Football Club officials and the FAI, the FAI has called a specially convened Board meeting to deal with the issues raised,' read a FAI statement.
"The FAI will not be in a position to comment any further until this Board meeting takes place on Saturday."
It has been suggested that Stephen Kenny's side will be demoted from the top flight if they fail to pay off their bills by December 21, which is the licensing deadline.
While they want to keep hold of their place in the Premier Division, McDaid did confirm to the Belfast Telegraph that the future of the club is of a much higher importance right now.
"Obviously we want to be playing Premier Division football next season, but our main priority is that we have a football club and what division they'll be playing in next season is secondary," said McDaid.
The Candystripes are due to travel to Oriel Park on Friday to meet Dundalk in their final league game of the season, but their long-term future is not clear.
Along with outstanding wages owed to players, the club also owe payment to both Dungannon Swifts and Linfield. They are struggling to raise extra funds and are due to sit down with sponsors and local businessmen early next week to outline the situation they find themselves in.
Recent speculation suggested that the club would seek a move to the Irish League in a cost-cutting measure, but chairman Pat McDaid was quick to quash those rumours.
However, the harsh reality of their financial troubles crippling their day-to-day running of the club has come to the fore with the FAI confirming that a crunch meeting will be held just hours after the Premier Division season comes to a close.
"Further to a meeting between Derry City Football Club officials and the FAI, the FAI has called a specially convened Board meeting to deal with the issues raised,' read a FAI statement.
"The FAI will not be in a position to comment any further until this Board meeting takes place on Saturday."
It has been suggested that Stephen Kenny's side will be demoted from the top flight if they fail to pay off their bills by December 21, which is the licensing deadline.
While they want to keep hold of their place in the Premier Division, McDaid did confirm to the Belfast Telegraph that the future of the club is of a much higher importance right now.
"Obviously we want to be playing Premier Division football next season, but our main priority is that we have a football club and what division they'll be playing in next season is secondary," said McDaid.
About Gareth Maher
Gareth Maher is an award-winning journalist who has covered domestic, international and women's football for the best part of a decade. Previously a columnist for the Irish Daily Mail and Football Editor for Setanta Sports, … View Full Profile