Amalgamation could make Tribe stronger
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A possible solution to Galway United’s financial problems could lie with a merger of the three Airtricity League clubs from the city.
A lot can change in a short space of time as fans of domestic football in Ireland can attest to following the success and demise of so many clubs in recent years.
It was just three years ago that Galway United were being hailed as a ‘model club’ following their promotion to the Premier Division. Everything appeared to be built on a solid foundation as they attracted a regular attendance of 2,200.
Now things are quite different for the Tribesmen. Following a drop off in attendance figures, where the average is now at a worrying 905, they have expressed fears of clearing their debts.
The financial burden is starting to weigh heavy on the club with Sean Connor’s squad now a depleted version of the one he built at the beginning of this season. So it is hardly surprising that new targets must be set.
Before the campaign kicked off, Connor would have felt that his team could sneak into the European places, although survival in the top flight is the only thing on his mind now.
Due to the dwindling crowds, he has relutcantly been forced to release key players such as Thomas Heary, James Creaney, Bobby Ryan and Anthony Flood. And more could still depart as he continues in his efforts to reduce the wage bill.
Rather than complaining about the difficult situation that they have found themselves in, Galway have just gotten on with things, which is a huge credit to Connor, his players and his backroom staff.
The recent win over UCD – their sixth victory of the season – showed that they are still fighting for the future of the club. However, merely surviving is not going to entice fans to click back through the turnstiles in great numbers. A new strategy needs to be adopted.
Perhaps an amalgamation between Galway, Mervue United and Salthill Devon could solve that problem as the combined trio would be able to act as one superclub representing the city.
Of course, this might be seen as a hugely unpopular suggestion considering Mervue and Salthill have only come into the Airtricity League over the last couple of years and would obviously want to hang onto their own identity and history.
But think about it……three clubs all bringing their sponsors, supporters and squads of players together to serve one club. In theory, it would certainly make a big difference and help turn Terryland Park back into the hub of excitement that it once was.
Mergers between clubs has rarely happened in Ireland, but it has become quite common in countries like Germany and the Netherlands, where they have seen the potential in fusing two clubs together.
In Galway’s case, this would allow them to play their home games at Terryland Park, train at Salthill’s excellent Drom facility, select the best young players in the county and create a buzz around the club.
There will always be competition with Connacht Rugby, Galway Races and the Volvo Ocean Race, but having one superclub could potentially make their games one of the unmissable events in the city.
It would take a lot for all three clubs to come to an agreement on something as big as this, but Galway have nothing to lose if they chose to propose this idea to both Mervue and Salthill.
For the future of Airtricity League football in the city, something needs to be done and an amalgamation is one way of starting afresh.
A lot can change in a short space of time as fans of domestic football in Ireland can attest to following the success and demise of so many clubs in recent years.
It was just three years ago that Galway United were being hailed as a ‘model club’ following their promotion to the Premier Division. Everything appeared to be built on a solid foundation as they attracted a regular attendance of 2,200.
Now things are quite different for the Tribesmen. Following a drop off in attendance figures, where the average is now at a worrying 905, they have expressed fears of clearing their debts.
The financial burden is starting to weigh heavy on the club with Sean Connor’s squad now a depleted version of the one he built at the beginning of this season. So it is hardly surprising that new targets must be set.
Before the campaign kicked off, Connor would have felt that his team could sneak into the European places, although survival in the top flight is the only thing on his mind now.
Due to the dwindling crowds, he has relutcantly been forced to release key players such as Thomas Heary, James Creaney, Bobby Ryan and Anthony Flood. And more could still depart as he continues in his efforts to reduce the wage bill.
Rather than complaining about the difficult situation that they have found themselves in, Galway have just gotten on with things, which is a huge credit to Connor, his players and his backroom staff.
The recent win over UCD – their sixth victory of the season – showed that they are still fighting for the future of the club. However, merely surviving is not going to entice fans to click back through the turnstiles in great numbers. A new strategy needs to be adopted.
Perhaps an amalgamation between Galway, Mervue United and Salthill Devon could solve that problem as the combined trio would be able to act as one superclub representing the city.
Of course, this might be seen as a hugely unpopular suggestion considering Mervue and Salthill have only come into the Airtricity League over the last couple of years and would obviously want to hang onto their own identity and history.
But think about it……three clubs all bringing their sponsors, supporters and squads of players together to serve one club. In theory, it would certainly make a big difference and help turn Terryland Park back into the hub of excitement that it once was.
Mergers between clubs has rarely happened in Ireland, but it has become quite common in countries like Germany and the Netherlands, where they have seen the potential in fusing two clubs together.
In Galway’s case, this would allow them to play their home games at Terryland Park, train at Salthill’s excellent Drom facility, select the best young players in the county and create a buzz around the club.
There will always be competition with Connacht Rugby, Galway Races and the Volvo Ocean Race, but having one superclub could potentially make their games one of the unmissable events in the city.
It would take a lot for all three clubs to come to an agreement on something as big as this, but Galway have nothing to lose if they chose to propose this idea to both Mervue and Salthill.
For the future of Airtricity League football in the city, something needs to be done and an amalgamation is one way of starting afresh.
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