Bray Wanderers are licking their wounds after being thrashed 8-1 by Dundalk yesterday, but the club has distractions off the field as The Irish Sun's chief sportswriter Neil O'Riordan when he joined us on Off The Ball's League of Ireland slot with Roddy Collins and Stuart Byrne.
"Basically in December, to much fanfare, it was announced that the McGettigan Group were poised to complete a takeover of the club. Apparently the transfer of 51 per cent of the shares was agreed and signed - according to them at least - but it hasn't been executed and obviously that's an inordinate delay going from December to May," said O'Riordan.
"They've essentially run out of patience at this stage and they were trying to bring it to a head this week in saying 'it goes ahead or we pull out completely, and if we do pull out completely, we're going to seek compensation for any money we've put into the club to date' because they have put hard cash and resources in terms of trying to help the club out. For them to do that and not get control of the club is frustrating from their point of view."
O'Riordan, who also discussed how people can aid the Mark Farren fund (listen into the podcast for more information), added that "it's a real mess and as it stands the club essentially has no money, and it would appear that the club's best chance of survival is if the takeover goes through".
Roddy shared his experience of working at a club while a takeover is taking place, highlighting his time at Carlisle United, and being part of a consortium looking to invest in a club.
Meanwhile, he and Stuey spoke about the pros and cons of Irish players released from Football League clubs in the UK returning to Ireland to rebuild their careers, with the example of Dundalk's star man Richie Towell seen as one of the positive examples.
But Roddy believes another route is best for players.
"I would say, stay in England because you've more exposure in England. Richie is a fine example but it's a rare one for me," he said.
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