LIMERICK FC CHAIRMAN Pat O’Sullivan has revealed that his family company Galtee Fuels will be unable to finance the club “to the level they have over the past number of seasons”.
The Munster club was in serious financial difficulties in the summer of 2009 when O’Sullivan offered his backing with significant support to help secure its League of Ireland status.
He became chairman the following month and has since overseen the club’s return to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division by making funds available for players, coaching staff and the development of facilities.
Having played their home games at Thomond Park over the past two seasons, Limerick will return to the Markets Field for the start of the 2015 next month.
However, in a statement released this morning, O’Sullivan addressed recent speculation about the club’s future by insisting that he is committed to the long-term sustainability of the club.
With the reduction of the significant annual sponsorship that has been provided by Galtee Fuels and the O’Sullivan Family over the past six years, this requires that the club must now learn to live within its means,” he said.
“A position which should not be uncommon or a surprise to many individuals and companies that has observed what has happened in our country over the past number of years.
“My reason for saving Limerick soccer was driven by a number of factors including using sport to change the perception of Limerick at the time which had significant ongoing anti-social issues,” he added.
“Limerick soccer has never had a pathway or structure from schoolboy to senior soccer to allow those who wish to play this sport to do so at the highest level with the best of coaching in parallel.”
Under manager Martin Russell, the Blues open the season at home to Bohemians on 7 March.
Read the statement in full here
