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FANS FORUM TRANSCRIPT
Q: Gerry, can you give us an update on the pitch scenario?
GM: There is no further progress on it at the minute. As everyone was aware, we didn’t get our licence because of the failure of the different tests on the pitch. Unfortunately, we are governed under the rules of FIFA and UEFA in regards to synthetic pitches. We are working very closely with the FAI to try and get the issue resolved, basically by putting pressure on Field Turf, the manufacturers of the pitch, and Pride Sports, the installers of it. So, we are trying to keep the pressure on to get the matter resolved and I have no further news on it. That’s the situation on it at the minute.
Q: When the transfer window opens, will there be Patron Scheme money available for John Gill to strengthen the squad where he sees fit?
GM: The Patron Scheme money is available to John at all times, as that was the purpose of the patron scheme - to generate as much funds to increase the budget wherever possible, and we have very successfully done that through the goodwill of everyone who has joined the Patron Scheme. As regards an increase when the transfer window opens, that is something we have to address then. The club is still running at a loss, but we are trying to maintain, I think everyone will agree, a reasonable standard of play on the pitch. And, it’s because of the likes of the Patron Scheme that has us where we are. This time last year, I would have thought that there was nothing available and yet, when the transfer window did come, we did give John money to increase the budget. I am not saying yes or no - we will just see at the time.
Q: What’s the situation regards the development of the Ardee road side of the ground in relation to the application made for funding?
GM: We recently did a presentation to the Department of Sport and Tourism with Dermot Ahern, John Delaney from the FAI, John Byrne from the FAI and Fergus McArdle from KMR. We gave a very positive presentation to them. We have no decision on it yet, but my only concern is, and I am sure everyone is aware, overall from a government perspective there is very little funding for schools, health and one thing and another. We feel it will take its toll on sports as well, but I have to say that Dermot Ahern is working extremely hard for us to maintain we get some sort of funding for it, but, again, we have no update on it. We were told that a decision would be made on it before the end of May.
Q: In regards to the pitch in Dundalk, they are talking about the bounce levels and everything else, and I am sure you have had discussions with the companies - is there any way that can be rectified at all?
GM: There were different things talked about; they talked about removing the infill and replacing it with a different infill. Basically, they are saying that the problem is the infill and they are looking at ways to extract it and replace it with a more up-to-date and modern infill, and, to be honest, we are not exactly happy with that. They haven’t exactly said they will do that, but they are putting that forward as a suggestion. But my concern is that it is a short-term medium fix, and that is the last thing we want - to get it fixed and then it to be still problematic. We will be trying to get a state of the art pitch. We will be looking to get it replaced at some stage. If it looks as if it will have to be repaired, we will have to look at that and settle for that, but it’s basically down to the infill at the minute.
Q: Would you think there are certain clubs in the league, Premier or First Division, who would be behind the controversy over this pitch. I know it failed the tests, but would there be politics at play somewhere along the line?
JG: I know it’s true that there has been a few complaints from other teams in our league; teams that we have had down here playing friendlies. I think people are grasping at straws looking for excuses. I know by speaking to new players we have brought into the club this year, my players love playing on the pitch. They like training on it; you get quality work done on it and it encourages people to play football. I think it’s the way forward for First Division clubs; it helps generate some money, and it embraces other clubs from the community. But getting back to the point, I know for a fact that there have been bad words said about the pitch. Two weeks ago, we had the manager of Waterford here, and before we had even kicked a ball, he was castigating the pitch. I think it’s just people looking for excuses.
Q: What did he think after the game?
JG: Again, the excuses; the bounce wasn’t right, this wasn’t right. If more teams came up here and won, you wouldn’t hear a word about the pitch I think it’s people being petty minded and looking for excuses. It’s hard going to play on some of the so-called pitches we play on. I don’t make comments about any other pitch. I didn’t last Friday when the facilities and the pitch was a disgrace, and those of you who were down there last week saw the pitch that we had to play on - I say give me plastic or give me carpet any day of the week.
Q: John, you have gone on record saying that one of your jobs is to manage players’ expectations and supporters’ expectations. I would like you to elaborate a little more on that, because surely a player’s expectations is to be playing in a successful team week-in, week-out. And surely supporters’ expectations is what’s happening now; being top of the table.
JG: Absolutely. It’s a massive football club, and we should have high expectations, but we should have realistic ones as well. We have no divine right to win football matches each week; we have no divine right because of our past glories to classify ourselves as a big club. What I mean by managing expectations is making sure players have their feet on the ground. When you look at last year, a lot of the praise we got before the break, everyone was telling us the league was over before the break. I knew it wasn’t; some of our own fans thought the league was over, and that’s what I mean by managing expectations. Everything is going alright at the moment, but football can change like that; we saw that last year and it was a very hard lesson to learn. What I mean by managing expectations is to keep working hard, to keep your head down, and to enjoy it, because it is enjoyable - that’s why we are all mad football people. My job is to make sure we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves and to take each game and each training session on its merits.
Q: Gerry, are you happy with the way the Patron Scheme is going?
GM: I am very happy, but I think it’s up to all of us to ensure that this Patron Scheme does not die a slow death. A lot of work has been done by the Trust, but it shouldn’t all be left to them. We have got around 300 members, and that’s a fantastic achievement to have that amount of people in such a short space of time. We would encourage people who haven’t joined to join, and for those who have joined to get their friends to join. At the moment, we are trying to positively promote it. So far, I have gotten 60 to 70 members personally, including two only last week, and I have given a commitment to getting more this year.
And I put value in those more than the large sums of money. I think they will keep this kind of payment up in the long-term, instead of someone just giving us a once-off payment of €2,000 - which would be brilliant, but you might not get anything again. The two people I have gotten to join up have signed up to gold memberships, so that’s nearly €1,000 (per year). That, in the long-term, is better than someone giving me a lump sum of two to three grand. It’s really down to everyone - not just the Trust and the Board. It’s down to everyone that calls themselves a supporter of Dundalk.
Q: On the website, there was news of a deal worth €50,000 recently signed by the club. Is that just a one-off payment, or will that happen again next year?
GM: That was our Commercial Manager, Lisa Kelly who secured that deal. We haven’t got the money yet, but we have no doubt that it is on its way. It comes from a very reliable source; a lot of people know who it is, but I can’t tell you who it is right now. The person has done a lot of sponsorship at the club so far, which has been very good. It is a one-off payment for now, as it would be too much to ask for any more - we won’t be asking them to contribute next year. To get €50,000 is like getting €150,000 through sponsorship and fundraising events, so it’s a tremendous amount of money. Full credit goes to Lisa Kelly in securing this deal, and to the person giving us this money - their name will be released soon. On the same note, Paul and Lisa have secured a deal with a Volkswagen dealership. Paddy McCusker has agreed to sponsor the senior ladies team for the next three years, and Philip Kirk from the Park Inn has agreed to sponsor one of the underage ladies teams for the next three years as well. I think all of these are a tremendous boost to the club, for the players, for John and for everyone concerned at the club; everyone on the Board, on the Trust, and on the ladies committee.
I think it shows that there is a lot more confidence in the club, and it’s heading in the right direction. They all want to be part of it, however, it is all much needed, and if we are going to strive to get into the Premier Division - which we all want - then we have to do more, and that is the reality of it. We just can’t walk into the Premier with this budget. We have to give John something more, and that’s down to everybody. I have to say this year, with the Trust and the Patron Scheme, that we are in a better position financially than we were say in the past five to six years. We cannot be complacent and that doesn’t be long going. I like the fact that these people are willing to sponsor us for the next three years, as I know come next January what amount of money we have in the bank. Like in 2006, there wasn’t one sponsor there. I managed to get IJM, and we have them for three years, and, apart from the first-team, they have supported every fundraising event and other fundraising initiative that we have as well. So, he is a great corporate client to have for the club.
And, we need more of those, because the more we have, the more we can get. But, I think the vast majority of income can come from a lot of people out there supporting even simple things like the lotto. My son sells a lotto book every week; he is not selling it for me, and he is not selling it for the club - he sells it because he gets €20 for himself, and that’s €1,000 at the end of the year. A lot of businesses take them and a lot of people take them into their place of work, but I think it’s important that we all say to ourselves ‘right, we want to do more for the club, so we can proceed onto the next level’. We don’t want to be in a situation this time next year where we are like Galway and saying ‘why are we bottom of the Premier?’ if we get promoted. We have a chance now, and we should be working hard to get our bank balances right, so we have a good budget going for next year. So, with that, I will ask everyone to ask themselves what they can do for the club.
Q: John, we heard earlier on that we don’t know what the financial situation is regarding the transfer window, but are you talking to players, or are you looking at anybody that may be available when the window opens?
JG: I would always have what I call my black book of players that I admire and that I would like to bring to the football club. So, the answer would be yes. It’s very hard sometimes to plan for the long-term, but I do. I would be looking at a player with an eye on next year, and the type of player that would keep us there next year. It’s an ongoing process. I have had two decent teams here over the past two years, but this year’s team, in terms of individual talent and playing as a group, are really, really close, and there is a good spirit about it. And, I believe that more than half of them can hold their own in the Premier, but you are always looking around trying to add a little bit more quality, and I have a constant eye on players. I was at two reserve games during the week; one in United Park and one in UCD, so, really, I was there to see if I could spot something, or someone who is not getting into the first team.
Q: I would like to ask you to comment on an All-Ireland League - is it a good thing or a bad thing? And should it be up to two people (Fintan Dury and Jim Roddy) to decide who is in this league?
PJ: I believe that the All-Ireland League is the way forward. I do not believe that the ten team league that we are going into next year is going to work. It has been proved in a lot of European countries that it doesn’t work, so I think the ten team league is a stepping stone. I think Fintan Dury sees the FAI/eircom League merger as a stepping stone into an All-Ireland League. Also, I definitely do think it’s progressive with the fact that we have a ten team league coming up. Yes, there would be a concern about the history, both north and south of the border, and it would have to be addressed at a very senior level in regards putting plans in place. Just to go over one of the questions asked earlier on - one of my jobs is not only to keep the fans coming in, but also to bring in new fans, families and young children to the club. But, certainly the bad publicity we have received recently isn’t good, and we would have to address that for an All-Ireland League.
Following the Q&A session…
JG: I just want to say that this year, we have a fantastic Youth team, and I hope that everyone will try to get down to Wexford, on Sunday 18 May, to give them as much support as possible. There was a great crowd down at Richmond Park, and we brought a lot of support with us (for the semi-final). I believe it’s a big achievement for the team to get into a final of an All-Ireland competition, and it will be a historical achievement if they can bring the cup back to the town. I know certainly there are 4-5 players who in years to come will be the backbone of this team. I know the local debate has come up now and again, but there are four or five of them who could step up in a year or two and all credit must go to Tommy Connolly, Cronin McCabe, John White and Stephen Carragher for the way they have handled the team.
Gill also revealed on the night that local youngsters Tiarnàn Mulvenna and Shane Grimes last week signed contract extensions with the club until the end of the 2009 season.
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