Via Dundalk Instagram  

One of Ireland’s most successful clubs found themselves a couple of hours away from potential liquidation. 

The club has struggled this season on the pitch as manager, Jon Daly’s side find themselves at the bottom of the league, as relegation to the first division looms over the club for next season. With six games remaining having suffered a 2-1 loss on the weekend to Sligo Rovers the club needs a big turnaround to try and stay up for another season in the premier division.  

The last few years finances at Dundalk,show that out of the last six years at the club there has been only one season (2020) in which the club made a marginable profit of just €108,386. Over the course of these years, the club has lost a total of €4.9 million.  

Statistics via James Rogers on X 

In terms of player wages there has been a significant increase after losing some key players like Patrick Hoban who is the club’s all time top goal scorer in history, along with some key players who contributed to the success of the club such as Daniel Kelly, John Martin and Greg Sloggett. Even with these players departing, the wage bill still went up a staggering €100,000 between 2022 to 2023.  

The club confirmed over the past week that they had been taken over by a consortium led by Dundalk native John Temple, after he bought an 80% purchase of the club from Brian Ainscough who only acquired the club in December of 2023. 

A statement from the club after the takeover was announced read that they have agreed to underwrite the players current wages until the end of the season and will examine the viability of the club and its facilities going forward. (“TAKEOVER AGREED WITH JOHN TEMPLE – Dundalk Football Club) 

Dundalk aren’t the first club to struggle financially in Ireland as in recent years, every club has struggled, including Shamrock Rovers, St. Patricks Athletic, and Bohemians.  

Local league of Ireland fan, Shannon Lester, said; “I personally don’t think the league gets enough from the likes of the government. Other sports in the country even get more air time, which I don’t think is right. 

“I don’t think there is enough backing from the FAI, I think they’re a shambles and to be honest I feel like they only get involved when things are already too far gone,” Lester said.  

“It was sad to see with what had gone on with Dundalk, but I do think that something should be done as if it was the likes of Rovers or Bohs and there would be more fuss over the situation,” she said. 

She continued, “I think the last few years the clubs have gotten way more fans through the gates, and you can see it every week in the stadiums. I just feel that without the support of the FAI or even the media coverage, you will see these teams like UCD or Drogheda who don’t have a massive stadium so they wouldn’t get as many home fans as the bigger clubs in this country and won’t take in as much money due to this.”