HomeSportMoney , Money, Money, It’s not funny, if you’re LFC

Money , Money, Money, It’s not funny, if you’re LFC

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THERE is no game this week for Limerick FC. The mid season break sees the players getting some much needed time off.

Off the field, there is no rest for the fans and officers of the Super Blues. Following last week’s statement stating that Limerick FC were in need of fresh investment, the club held a public meeting last Sunday night in the Strand Hotel. The news that came out of that meeting was something we all expected, but hoped we would not hear.

Limerick FC received a letter of resignation from American chairman Jack Mc Carthy III on June 11 of this year. The letter stated that Jack wished to resign and that the process of winding up the club would begin on Monday June 22. The chairman had invested over 300,000 euro in Limerick FC is now no longer in a position to invest more money. Former CEO and existing member of the board Andrew Mawhinney commented that “Limerick FC have exceeded their overdraft limit and that 70,000 euro was required to keep the club afloat for the rest of the season”.

This is now the magic number. Limerick FC need to raise 70,000 euro in a week or else the gates at Jackman Park will no longer be open on Friday nights for the Blues.

The future doesn’t look bright as 70k is a lot of money in any time never mind in this current climate. It is hard to see where it will come from. Even if it does, an average home attendance of 1,100 is needed to stay afloat. To show how hard that is, at the recent FAI Cup game against St Pat’s, the attendance was 895.

The official club statement is as follows and if you have any money lying around or down the back of your couch, please please support senior soccer. It would be a sin for this sports mad city to not have a senior team. There has been one initial amount invested by local businessman Pat O Sullivan, but more is needed. Over to you people of Limerick.

“Limerick businessman, Pat O’Sullivan, came to the rescue of Limerick FC this week, with what has been described as a “significant and generous” contribution to the club’s funds.

The management committee and board said that Mr O’Sullivan “stepped up to provide substantial financial support” while chairman, Jack McCarthy, said that “several individuals and businesses donated 250/500 euro to the club” and many people signed up to ‘Leo’s Lotto’ to bolster the club’s finances.

At a public meeting in the Strand Hotel on Sunday night, club PRO, Joe Sweeney, revealed that it needed 70,000 “within a week” and appealed to ordinary supporters and business people to “ensure the future of Limerick FC”. As part of this investment drive Limerick FC stresses the importance of its supporters to push a number of patron initiatives proposed this week by the club including ‘Leo’s Lottery’, which is a way for any individual to help the club find stability for an investment of only 21 euro per month.

The club statement also stated that at the positive meeting it “demonstrated how far it has come in 18 months under the stewardship of Jack McCarthy and showed its plans for the future, but stressed the importance of further funding to reach their goal of self sufficiency and their return to the Premier division.”

“Pat is a local successful business man with a genuine interest in soccer and he has the future of Limerick FC at heart. He brings us considerable business acumen and is a very welcome addition to the Limerick FC board,” said Mr Sweeney.

Mr McCarthy also expressed his appreciation to Pat O’Sullivan, saying that “the team is fortunate to have a man of his calibre and standing join us”.

Originally from Ballylanders, Mr O’Sullivan has two businesses—Galtee Fuels and Green Heat—and has an interest in all sports.

“Soccer being the most played sport in the city, county and indeed the entire mid-west can help to keep young people out of mischief and help them become the best they can be,” he said.

Mr McCarthy praised the management committee for its “unwavering dedication” and added that “despite the challenges I have grown to love this club, and I am thrilled that local investors are getting behind us”.

“Limerick deserves a successful football organization just as in the early 1960s and 1980s. Pat O’Sullivan is leading the way, and with continuing support from the Limerick community we can achieve our financial goals.”

Pat has started the ball rolling and now we need everyone else to give a hand. If you think that Senior soccer has a future and you wish to be a part of it then have a read of the advert below. There are several ways to help and you can enjoy the fruits of your investment every second Friday in Jackman Park.

The next home game for Limerick is penciled in for July 10 against Wexford Youths. Please help out to make sure that a Limerick team takes to the field.

Time is now to do it, if not then soccer was not meant to have a home here.

 

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