Press Release
There has been much speculation and commentary recently concerning attendances/finance and releasing senior squad member, Dylan Connolly. I feel it is appropriate to set out certain facts as follows:
Dylan Connolly
Firstly at the start of this season we never received a single offer but we did have enquiries. Those enquiries were less than €100,000, less than €50,000 and less than €25,000.
Dundalk FC recently made an offer , we discussed it internally in The Club, consulted Dylan and his agent and when Dylan said that he was keen to join Dundalk FC as part of his pathway in developing as a footballer we felt the best interests of all lay in releasing him. And as our statement said, we thank him for his time with us and we wish him every good luck in his future career
Attendances
There has been plenty of media attention on our poor attendance figures – fair commentary .In the first instance I do believe that this becomes very noticeable to and affects our coaching staff and players.
With the appointment of Harry Kenny as Head Coach in the middle of last season this Club took a very upward step in Irish Football. He has brought us to new level.
So at the start of this season The Club decided to back Harry with more resources in the expectation that he would continue the good run and that the investment would push us further up the table leading to greater support both on the terraces and reflected in gate receipts.
Well, Harry has more than delivered but the support has just not materialised.
What are the facts?
2017 Season Ticket Sales Adult 59 and Concession 51
Paying fans through the stiles this season are as follows:
Adult Concession
Drogheda United 187 118
Limerick FC 198 144
Galway United 171 84
Shamrock Rovers 848 450
St Patricks Athletic 467 319
Bohemian FC 614 401
Sligo Rovers FC 256 155
Derry City FC 229 136
At the Derry City FC match (which was 3rd Vs 4th) we did a count on the away side and counted 107.
Apart from our season ticket holders we estimate that our average home support base is somewhere along the lines of Adult 125/165 and Concession 90/120.
This tells us that the support base is just not there!
Finance
Apart from the poor gate receipts the Club is not supported to any large extent by local advertising and sponsorship.
We are not allowed use The Carlisle grounds to generate revenue – it can only be used for Soccer and Rugby League purposes.
Summary
It is just not viable to continue to run a club at the level expected by fans without the proper support.
A huge effort has been put into the club by many volunteers in the past few years / Harry has done a great job with the senior squad and substantial funds have been put in to support this effort for which we are grateful.
But what is the point if we cannot get the minimum financial and supporter base which a great club like this deserves?
Denis O’Connor
Chairman
Bray Wanderers FC
ENDS