Drogheda United to return to part-time status

Premier Division holders Drogheda United on Thursday evening became the latest League of Ireland club to delve into financial crisis. Staff were called to a meeting, just over 24 hours before the visit of champions elect Bohemians, and informed that the club can no longer meet their wage demands and that the Boynesiders will revert to part-time status for next season.

Drogheda, who moved to a full-time setup almost four years ago, have had continued problems with their planned multimillion euro stadium at Bryanstown, which finally hit a brick wall last month due to an objection from the National Roads Authority (NRA). An alternative site, located close to the City North Hotel on the M1, was mooted. However, those hopes have now quickly faded.

Where their future lies is now, very worryingly, unknown. Drogheda were allowed to continue in United Park for this season, however, the ground is no longer fit to host Premier Division games. The club were widely expected to be given another season at the venue but only on the condition that work had started on their new stadium. Now, with that a non-runner, the Louth club are in limbo. Both Dalymount Park and Oriel Park, home of local rivals Dundalk, were suggested as temporary bases.

However, with no stadium now in the pipeline and the withdrawal of their investors, the club’s future will be of huge concern to its fans. Staying in United Park seems unviable as it would have to undergo a major facelift, something which may cause problems due to the perimeters of the ground. That site is also due for a major residential redevelopment. Even if that was put on hold, however, with no new location forthcoming, Drogheda’s future as a top flight club looks extremely bleak.

They may, however, be able to continue at their current home if they drop to the First Division. That, at this point, looks the most likely option, as, with virtually every one of their current squad members expected to depart when the current season ends next month, rebuilding a new team on the budget that is likely to be available to them would almost certainly see them struggle to compete in the top tier and could ultimately result in relegation.

Previously a yoyo club with little or no enjoyment on the silverware front, Drogheda have enjoyed four years of unprecedented success. Without a major trophy in their 42-year history, the Boynesiders captured the FAI Cup in 2005 and added their first ever Premier League trophy twelve months ago. They have also won the last two renewals of the Setanta Sports Cup and are on course for three-in-a-row.

They enter the semi-finals of that competition next Monday when they entertain Glentoran and are favourites to advance to the final to meet either Derry City or Cork City, who battle at the Brandywell on Tuesday. It is from these two home games, against Bohemians and Glentoran, that Drogheda will pay their players, as the club revealed in their meeting with staff on Thursday that their only source of income is now gate receipts.

With just five weeks left before the campaign concludes in mid-November, Drogheda will make it to the end of the season and look certain to finish fourth in the league standings behind Bohemians, Saint Patrick’s Athletic and Derry City. However, sadly, what form, if any, they return in next year remains to be seen.

A formal announcement from Drogheda United on their current situation is expected early next week, with early whispers suggesting that the worst news could be yet to come for the club.