Finn Harps Secretary John Campbell says that the club is entering ‘the most crucial six or seven weeks in the history of Finn Harps’.
At a press conference this afternoon in the Clanree Hotel, ahead of a big home game on Monday against champions-elect Cork City, Mr Campbell revealed that gate receipts and commercial income were well below figures that had been budgeted at the start of the season.
Mr Campbell revealed that the club will spent ‘well in excess of half-a-million’ for 2017, including up to €70,000 for the running of its underage teams.
Harps have 97 players on their books at the moment, from seniors down to under-15s and club officials are keen to see a sharp rise in gates and sponsorship income between now and the end of the season.
“It is going to be a very tough time,” Mr Campbell said.
“The club has managed the situation well. Everything is paid now. The point we’re making, over the next four or five weeks there is a huge financial drain.
“It is being managed very well by Lorna (McHugh, Finance Officer). She has done an excellent job. We need a bit of extra support. An extra 100 people at a home match could make so much. It is the difference between running smoothly and the Board trying to fill a hole.
“Fundraising is running ahead of schedule – huge work has gone in there.
“The attendances are behind target and they are disappointing. Commercial is below target too.
“It is a hard slog. We want to appeal to people to come out. The team needs support on the run-in and, financially, we need the support too.”
Harps face two treks to Limerick in a fortnight now, with an FAI Cup second round clash followed by a key meeting in the Premier Division.
A trip to Limerick, the secretary explained, will cost in the region of €3,500
Aside from main sponsor, McGettigan’s, Harps don’t have a major investor or backer, unlike many of their top flight peers.
Mr Campbell said: “Other clubs have had companies pump substantial money into them. It’s a tough sell. I don’t think we have those type of companies. I know of one League of Ireland club before Christmas last year had taken in €440,000 and I know of another two last year who were well north of €350,000.
“There are four or five clubs that are financially very strong and are getting stronger by the day. You just cannot sustain football if the numbers aren’t coming to support it.”
The Harps secretary said that the club ‘don’t even want to think about relegation’ or the possible implications of a drop to the First Division.
He added: “We have consistently opposed the reduction of the Premier Division. It is a ridiculous move, but powers greater than us have decided to go down that road.
“We’re going into the most crucial six or seven weeks in the history of Finn Harps.”
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