Derry City to be relegated?

blindpilot

Just on RTE News there. Emergency meeting with FAI called for tomorrow and its expected Derry will be relegated! Anyone have more information? I only caught a bit of it on the news.

theteal

would that mean our skin is saved?

it would make the next freezing 90+ mins or my life that bit more bearable. . .speaking of which, better run

wicklowdub

From today's Irish Daily Mail

Derry warned: Your survival is at stake
By: PHILIP QUINN

CRISIS club Derry City are on the brink of demotion to the First Division as punishment for apparent anomalies in their players' contracts for the 2009 season.

The pride of the north-west, currently fourth in the Premier Division ahead of tonight's final game of the season at Dundalk, appear destined for a fall to the lower tier of Irish club football over a relative pittance compared to the £750,000 they owe creditors.

FAI chiefs met behind closed doors last night to decide on Derry's fate with John Delaney, the FAI chief executive, admitting he had 'grave concerns' for the future of the club. Fran Gavin, the League of Ireland director, warned 'the survival of the club is at stake'.

The Derry distress signals were sent out following a summit at Abbotstown on Wednesday night between senior League of Ireland figures and Derry chairman Pat McDaid, the outcome of which prompted Delaney's intervention.

Without being specific about what emerged at the meeting, Delaney outlined a bleak future for the twice league champions.

Pointedly, he did not make reference to the club's huge debts. 'If any club provide material financial information and it's subsequently proven that information is incorrect, then you have to take action. You have to be fair to the clubs who have played by the rules,' said Delaney.

'We got the May accounts earlier from Derry in the year where we noticed things weren't as good as they should have been, after which we put a transfer embargo in to make sure there was no increased spend on bringing in extra players 'I was concerned for Derry then and I'd have graver concerns after what I heard last night,' added Delaney, who said events would move fast and that a decision on Derry's future is likely today.

'We have to deal with the events of last night, which were reported to me, in a difficult manner.

'The outcome of that meeting will be determined pretty quickly. Because if we take certain sanctions, it affects the play-offs,' he added.

That remark suggests there is a distinct possibility that Bray Wanderers, who finished 10th in the Premier Division, may now play ninth-placed Drogheda United in the play-offs, while St Pat's, Sligo Rovers and Galway United could be spared Asked if Derry City would be playing in the Premier Division next season, Delaney said: 'I think their situation is grave. In what guise they survive or in what division they play in will be determined as events unfold, I don't know.

'It's up to the people who run the club to salvage it, but the ramifications of the meeting and the content which was discussed, could be quite severe.' Discrepancies in player contracts appears to be a particular area of FAI concern.

Sportsmail was told of one senior player whose contract, submitted to the FAI, had him being paid 'X' amount but that he was also being paid a separate sum on another contract.

Delaney is acutely aware of the value which Derry have brought to the League since they joined in 1985 and won't want to lose one of the biggest and best supported clubs they have.

'When Derry came into the League, they brought thousands of fans for Cup finals. I know what it means to the FAI to have Derry in the League; and I know what it means to the people of Derry too,' he said.

€8.6MWAGE BILL FOUR clubs spent €8.6million on players' wages in 2008, according to League figures released yesterday. Cork City spent most with €2.35m, ahead of Drogheda with €2.25m — both had 10 points deducted for entering examinership. St Pat's spent €2.2m and champions Bohemians €1.9m. Salaries to players made up 50 per cent of all expenditure while debts to directors and banks made up 61 per cent of all clubs' liabilities.

From next year, wages to managers and coaches will be factored into the salary cap protocol. Club's losses were down to €2.7m in 2008 while attendances in the Premier Division for 2009 are up 17 per cent.

The club are to meet the FAI at 1.30pm tomorrow to explain the accounts. Expect a fudge from the FAI....

Gavin "shels"

No FAI bail-out, jaysis they must be confined to Drogs, Cork and Bohs. Derry should be demoted, 8 weeks of not paying players afaik along with still owing Swifts a few thousand from the McGinn transfer to Celtic, it's a f*cking joke, but sure isn't the poxy running of this league in general.

TwistsAndTurns

Its a shame if they are relegated as the league need the likes of Derry and Cork to make this a strong league. Derry are probably one of the best supported teams but paying to have professional players seems to be problem.

wicklowdub

TwistsAndTurns wrote: »

Its a shame if they are relegated as the league need the likes of Derry and Cork to make this a strong league. Derry are probably one of the best supported teams but paying to have professional players seems to be problem.

Making up accounts and submiting them to get a premier licence seems to be more of a problem.

Pineapple stu

Derry might get points docked which would put them bottom of the league and relegated and Bray and Drogheda in the playoffs.

I agree that the league needs a good cork and derry side in the league but the league also needs to support clubs that play by the rules and punish those that dont to give the league some credability back.

D2D

TwistsAndTurns wrote: »

Its a shame if they are relegated as the league need the likes of Derry and Cork to make this a strong league. Derry are probably one of the best supported teams but paying to have professional players seems to be problem.

+1

This has been the worst season in the LoI in regards to clubs finances and the overall running of the league. City just scrapped past the taxman, Drogs and Bohs are in financial trouble and now this!! I'm pretty sure every LoI fan would be gutted to see them gone from the Premier League. I believe Derry fans are some of the nicest fans you could ever come across.

I still belive the league should go part time if it's to survive. If it stays full-time, this sort of thing will be constitly happening. I wouldn't be surprised to see around 8 teams playing in the Premier Division next year

Gavin "shels"

TwistsAndTurns wrote: »

Its a shame if they are relegated as the league need the likes of Derry and Cork to make this a strong league.

Wrong, the League needs clubs in Derry and Cork, but not Derry City and Cork City.

chopperbyrne

I imagine if Derry get relegated they'll bring it to court to try have Cork relegated too.

TwistsAndTurns

Dare_2_defy wrote: »

I still belive the league should go part time if it's to survive. If it stays full-time, this sort of thing will be constitly happening. I wouldn't be surprised to see around 8 teams playing in the Premier Division next year

This is where I think it gets tricky. Going part time would solve the wage problem a bit but the lads on the big bucks will be lured to lower English league clubs or to Scotland. Derry could go to the Irish league and save a fortune in expenses on travel, but this league has falling attendences and generating money could be a hard. I do see Gavin "shels" point on the manner in which Derry have delt with their players regarding wages and if they are found to have broken the rules well the sentence should suit the crime but all i say is the league needs strong teams like Derry.

Tippex

its about time Frank and Irene sorted things out.
the goings on in the league just makes it a laughing stock and the clubs havent been helped by being let away with it over the years.

Gavin "shels"

TwistsAndTurns wrote: »

I do see Gavin "shels" point on the manner in which Derry have delt with their players regarding wages and if they are found to have broken the rules well the sentence should suit the crime but all i say is the league needs strong teams like Derry.

There ain't no IFs, Derry haven't paid there players in 7 or 8 weeks and along with not paying Swifts a few thousand as part of the McGinn deal. Feck em off out of the the premier imo.

CHD

Pity, best fans i have sen in LOI. I have seen all well supported clubs live a few times BTW!

Gavin "shels"

CHD wrote: »

Pity, best fans i have sen in LOI. I have seen all well supported clubs live a few times BTW!

Jester hat wearing mongs!

Sir Oxman

Derry have been booted out of the league completely.

galwayrush

Any news from the meeting yet?

iregk

Yeah they haven't been relegated, they've been completely kicked out!

Now we just need to FAI to keep up the good work and sort out Bohs and Cork.

SantryRed

TwistsAndTurns wrote: »

Its a shame if they are relegated as the league need the likes of Derry and Cork to make this a strong league. Derry are probably one of the best supported teams but paying to have professional players seems to be problem.

My arse do they need teams like Cork and Derry who don't pay wages. They need clubs who stay within their means. End of.

GLaDOS

Link to the Max
http://www.rte.ie/sport/2009/1107/derrycity.html

Derry thrown out of League of Ireland
Saturday, 7 November 2009 18:25

Derry City's League of Ireland contract has been terminated after the club admitted holding secondary, unofficial contracts with players.

More to follow.

Bobalicious93

So, am I right in saying another team needs to be added to the FD to make up the numbers since there won't be an automatically relegated team?

Mars Bar

Jaysus, that's pretty harsh.

Not the way I wanted Galway United to stay up.

CCCP^

This will come back to haunt the FAI.

Quint

What does this mean for the playoffs?

callaway92

Derry have been kicked out of League of Ireland completely, not just relegated!!!!!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2009/1107/derrycity.html

Edit: just saw this was already posted lol

D2D

Harsh but having unoffical contract with players, your just asking for trouble

I didn't expect that they'd throw em out completely thou

I'm a bit worried/nervous being a Cork City supporter at the mo. We have Matthews trial coming up and with the Derry news, it's not a good time for us.

Mint Sauce

Quint wrote: »

What does this mean for the playoffs?

its between bray and drogs

Tippex

I'm really sorry for the Derry fans over this.
I cannot believe the powers that be in the club had the players on 2 contracts.
I also think that the players should also be banned for agreeing to a second contract and where would this leave kenny? surely he would have been aware of said contracts.

Not the way I wanted our skin saved at all.

Pure Cork

Gutted for the Derry fans.

Hopefully they'll throw City out of the league too.

elshambo

Only right tbh

Awful nonsence to be carrying on with
Not just the contracts
the McGinn transfer from an Irish league club and general financial running of the club over last couple of years

There is a difference between a couple of idiots being in charge and making stupid mistakes/gambles and what happened with them


Sorry for some of the fans mind!

RebelRockChick

Dare_2_defy wrote: »

Harsh but having unoffical contract with players, your just asking for trouble

I didn't expect that they'd throw em out completely thou

I'm a bit worried/nervous being a Cork City supporter at the mo. We have Matthews trial coming up and with the Derry news, it's not a good time for us.

Likewise, but we fully deserve to be punished for all the **** that has gone on at the club, as much as it sucks to say...and not only us either.

Really gutted for the Derry fans though, always brought down good crowds and have shown alot of support for us (bucket collections, FORAS etc.), they are a good bunch of supporters.

bUILDERtHEbOB

Galway United staying up then, there goes the possibility of having three Galway sides in the first division, would've been a complete farce.

Mars Bar

bUILDERtHEbOB wrote: »

Galway United staying up then, there goes the possibility of having three Galway sides in the first division, would've been a complete farce.

Mervue United, Galway United and who would have been the third?

Pure Cork

mars bar wrote: »

Mervue United, Galway United and who would have been the third?

Salthill Devon

chopperbyrne

Wow. Was not expecting that.

Can't see the IFA taking them back, so that's bye bye Derry City FC.

Cork may yet still go that way.

If the rumours about Bohs and Fingal are true, we could end up with a (bigger) joke of a league next year.

Mars Bar

Pure Cork wrote: »

Salthill Devon

Thought as much.

Thanks!

And yes, it would have been a bit mad having three Galway clubs in it...

galwayrush

Another sorry state of affairs. Leaves a bad taste.
Not the way i would have wanted us to stay up.
I feel very sorry for the fans.

_blank_

I wonder will the FAI have the backbone to do the same to Cork City.

Anyway, of all the dancing on the grave of Shels three years ago, the Derry fans were the worst.

I don't feel a bit sorry for them.

Deserved punishment, end of. Well done FAI.

citytillidie

iregk wrote: »

Yeah they haven't been relegated, they've been completely kicked out!

Now we just need to FAI to keep up the good work and sort out Bohs and Cork.

Yea like thats going to happen, the FAI have wanted us out of the league and have got there way at last

artanevilla

iregk wrote: »

Yeah they haven't been relegated, they've been completely kicked out!

Now we just need to FAI to keep up the good work and sort out Bohs and Cork.

Why Bohs?

CantGetNoSleep

Fully deserved imo, hopefully they won't let them back in unless they can show that things will be fully in order / within their means, now kicking out a few more might sort things out a bit

citytillidie

artanevilla wrote: »

Why Bohs?

They are in the same financeual troubles as Cork and have had to get the FAI to bail them out with money twice already this year

GLaDOS

citytillidie wrote: »

They are in the same financeual troubles as Cork

I don't recall us not paying our players/bus divers

bohsman

citytillidie wrote: »

They are in the same financeual troubles as Cork and have had to get the FAI to bail them out with money twice already this year

lol. The other 9 teams were all bailed out at least once with the second one being completely standard for a team playing in Europe. From my reading of it we are within the csp without Conroys money and have all our highest earners out of contract. We should be ok.

SantryRed

Derry have been thrown out of a different reason than what Cork are doing though. To get around the 65% they had secondary contracts with all the players unknown to the FAI. For once, fair play to the FAI. I feel dirty.

dreamers75

We come 6th so, we could be in Europe yet.

ShamoBuc

A real pity that Derry are gone. Always brought great fans to Cork and made themselves a great addition to the league. Make no mistake about it, the league will not be a better place without them. All in all a sham of a year for more reasons than I care to remember. Bring on next season as soon as possible, but not before Coughlan has done the right thing and gone as far away from the X as is possible.

The_Kew_Tour

Thrown out of League this is just very bad news for the league

Between Cork, Drogs, Bohs and now this where is the League going?

dreamers75

adrian280582 wrote: »

Thrown out of League this is just very bad news for the league

Between Cork, Drogs, Bohs and now this where is the League going?

Shels will save us

super_furry

There should be no club bigger than the laws of the game and I commend the FAI for their stance. Just hope they're as harsh with Bohs and Cork.

dreamers75

super_furry wrote: »

There should be no club bigger than the laws of the game and I commend the FAI for their stance. Just hope they're as harsh with Bohs and Cork.

Altho neither of them have broken any rules

I agree relegate them both and Dundalk




Puts us 3rd :cool: