GUST call emergency meeting
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
The Galway United Supporters Trust [GUST] have called on all supporters of the club to attend an open meeting this Wednesday evening to discuss the serious and immediate problems that face the club.
GUST believe that total debts in the club have now reached €900,000, with footballing debts of €70,000 owed to numerous different people, clubs and the Revenue Commissioners. The position of CEO Nick Leeson is under under scrutiny with claims he may leave the club.
Ronan Coleman, Chairperson,Galway United Supporters Trust released a statement today to highlight the problems at the club.
“In light of the ongoing difficulties at our club, Galway United Supporters Trust have called an open meeting for all supporters this Wednesday, November 24th, at Terryland Park, 7.30pm (new meeting room).
The current situation at Galway United is very unclear. GUST have been paying the wages of Sean Connor and one player still under contract for the last fortnight. Another player is under contract, we are meeting him today. The current squad are also due a substantial sum in wages, GUST have spoken to all of them, and have also been in contact with the PFAI.
The CEO of the club informed GUST last week that he was not in a position at that time to pay wages of the manager and players. He also stated, via e-mail and via several third parties, that he intended to resign last Friday. His position remains unclear. In the interim, all players and some other creditors have been advised to contact GUST.
"Footballing debts" (preferred creditors) at the club are now in the region of €70,000. These are due to players, former players, former staff, Galway and District League, one other LOI club, and Revenue Commissioners. These debts must be paid, or agreements must be made with all parties, before Christmas (I understand that the date is December 21st), to obtain a Premier Division licence for 2011.
The purpose of the meeting is a full update on the above, to inform everyone of the full situation re : Premier Division licence, and to commence immediate fundraising to (a) pay wages of current staff and (b) fulfil licensing criteria.
This is an extremely critical situation for Galway United, by far the worst I have seen in my 16 years involved with the club. Total debts are now in excess of €900,000.
GUST believe that total debts in the club have now reached €900,000, with footballing debts of €70,000 owed to numerous different people, clubs and the Revenue Commissioners. The position of CEO Nick Leeson is under under scrutiny with claims he may leave the club.
Ronan Coleman, Chairperson,Galway United Supporters Trust released a statement today to highlight the problems at the club.
“In light of the ongoing difficulties at our club, Galway United Supporters Trust have called an open meeting for all supporters this Wednesday, November 24th, at Terryland Park, 7.30pm (new meeting room).
The current situation at Galway United is very unclear. GUST have been paying the wages of Sean Connor and one player still under contract for the last fortnight. Another player is under contract, we are meeting him today. The current squad are also due a substantial sum in wages, GUST have spoken to all of them, and have also been in contact with the PFAI.
The CEO of the club informed GUST last week that he was not in a position at that time to pay wages of the manager and players. He also stated, via e-mail and via several third parties, that he intended to resign last Friday. His position remains unclear. In the interim, all players and some other creditors have been advised to contact GUST.
"Footballing debts" (preferred creditors) at the club are now in the region of €70,000. These are due to players, former players, former staff, Galway and District League, one other LOI club, and Revenue Commissioners. These debts must be paid, or agreements must be made with all parties, before Christmas (I understand that the date is December 21st), to obtain a Premier Division licence for 2011.
The purpose of the meeting is a full update on the above, to inform everyone of the full situation re : Premier Division licence, and to commence immediate fundraising to (a) pay wages of current staff and (b) fulfil licensing criteria.
This is an extremely critical situation for Galway United, by far the worst I have seen in my 16 years involved with the club. Total debts are now in excess of €900,000.
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