Bond optimistic about Dundalk future
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Dundalk FC chairman Ciaran Bond has given an update on the financial outlook on the club. Speaking at the unveiling of new manager, Stephen Kenny, he hoped that the club would be debt free for the new season.
“We are in a good financial position at the moment” he said. “We have our debts down to €48,000. We intend to go into the new season debt-free. All the money raised from the season tickets and the merchandise sales will go straight to the playing budget.”
Bond went onto say that the club has now got a degree of stability off the field and the appointment of Kenny as manager signals the beginning of stability on the field as well.
“Stability is now key. We have stability off the field now with the takeover. It was important to us to get in an experienced manager and Stephen was our number one target. He has a proven track record and a great pedigree.
“The loyalty he showed Derry City during the time of their troubles when they were relegated was something we looked at. It’s time we had stability on the pitch and Stephen can deliver that.”
The former youth manager also conceded that Oriel Park does need to be renovated and the subject of the pitch cropped up but Bond said that the club are not looking to replace it just yet.
“Oriel Park needs investment. The away end and the stadium in general. The pitch is something we will look at in the future. If you look at it though, we haven’t got a good record on it and it’s the away teams who complain. They only have to play on it once a year but we only just avoided relegation and extinction as a club. It’s about stabilising now. It’s about getting people back at the games and behind the club. Then we can look at the infrastructure.”
The Lilywhites have been doing well recently at youth level and that is something that the chairman would love to see continue but doesn’t want to restrict it to the Dundalk area and also wants the players to successfully transfer to the senior squad.
“There is a plan. It’s a 3-5 year plan. Stephen is a long-term appointment. Of course we want to have locals in the team but only if they’re good enough. Our U19’s reached the Cup Final last season, the U18’s won the DDSL, they won the DDSL 2 years ago. The top teams St. Pat’s, Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians’ players develop onto their first-team, why not us?
“We are looking to develop the youth in the area. There is a great hinterland here and with Newry gone we have to look to take players from that area. It will be built in stages but with Stephen Kenny, we have the right man for the job.”
