The new directors of Drogheda United were last night ordered to lodge €100,000 with the FAI by the close of business on Thursday if the future status of the club in the league is to be guaranteed.
Members of the new board last night attended a meeting of the League's Board of Control where they told representatives of other clubs that the debts at United Park amount to €105,000 excluding whatever money is owed to the Revenue Commissioners. No tax has been paid by the club for seven years and it has not yet been ascertained how much its tax bill will eventually amount to.
After a lengthy meeting the board decided that the club must lodge the €100,000 which will be held in trust by the FAI with a view to meeting any of the debts that remain unpaid in the future. It has also been ordered to reinstate the company, Hinge Trading Limited, under which the club operated and it will not be allowed to sign any new players until all of its liabilities have been taken care of.
It remains uncertain what action will be taken if the club fails to meet Thursday's deadline but prior to last night's meeting the possibility of either relegating or even expelling United had been mentioned by a number of club representatives.
Meanwhile, The league's top two clubs managed a rather predictable dominance in the PFAI Premier Division team of the year which was unveiled in Dublin last night.
Nine of the 11 players selected by National League club managers from around the country are drawn from either league champions Bohemians or runners-up Shelbourne with Stephen Kenny's Bohemians managing five of the side compared to the four of their rivals.
Similarly, the two clubs have a major presence in the shortlist for the Premier Division player of the year with only UCD's Barry Ryan and Liam Coyle of Derry City, who doesn't actually make the team, breaking the big two's dominance.
Simon Webb and Colin Hawkins, meanwhile, are amongst the players likely to be missing from the Bohemians line up at Longford this evening. Paul McNally and Fergal Harkin are also expected to watch from the sidelines while the home side's Sean Dillon will miss the game which is still subject to a pitch inspection.
PFAI AWARDS SHORTLISTS
PREMIER DIVISION: Stuart Byrne (Shelbourne), Liam Coyle (Derry City), Glen Crowe (Bohemians), Kevin Hunt (Bohemians), Barry Ryan (UCD), Bobby Ryan (Bohemians).
FIRST DIVISION: Kevin McHugh (Finn Harps), Wayne Russell (Waterford Utd), Willie Bruton (Cobh Ramblers).
YOUNG PLAYER: Wes Hoolahan (Shelbourne), Noel Hunt (Shamrock Rovers), John O'Flynn (Cork City).
TEAMS OF THE YEAR
(as selected by a poll of managers)
PREMIER DIVISION: Barry Ryan (UCD); Owen Heary (Shelbourne), Kevin Doherty (Shelbourne), Colin Hawkins (Bohemians), Simon Webb (Bohemians); Bobby Ryan (Bohemians), Stuart Byrne (Shelbourne), Kevin Hunt (Bohemians), Ollie Cahill (Shelbourne); John O'Flynn (Cork City), Glen Crowe (Bohemians).
FIRST DIVISION: Wayne Russell (Waterford Utd); Ray Kenny (Finn Harps), Declan Boyle (Finn Harps), Pat Purcell (Limerick), John Frost (Waterford Utd); Alan McNevin (Dublin City), John Lester (Monaghan Utd), Tom Mohan (Finn Harps), Paddy McGrenaghan (Finn Harps); Vincent Sullivan (Waterford Utd), Kevin McHugh (Finn Harps).
