[Zebra3]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0821/fai.html

FAI report bleak figures at AGM

Saturday, 21 August 2010 19:58

FAI President John Delaney has confirmed that only 6,000 Vantage Club tickets were sold for the new Aviva Stadium as a debt of €38million was revealed by the organisation.

The announcements were made at the FAI's Annual General Meeting in Wexford as Paddy McCaul was confirmed the new President of the body, replacing David Blood.

Delaney had targeted selling 10,000 of the ten year tickets but 4,000 remain unsold.

However, the FAI hope to have the debt on the Aviva Stadium cleared by 2020.

They also reported an operating surplus of €5.2 million for 2009.

Delaney's position as Chief Executive of the FAI was given a big endorsement by delegates at the meeting.

What planet are these clowns living on?

Delaney is on €420,000 a year and gave promises that all those tickets would be sold.

He failed, the FAI is now straddled with massive debts and they all bow down to Dear Leader.

[nullzero]

I'm no fan of his but selling a product like FAI vantage club when the country's economy is in tatters was never going to be easy regardless of who was responsible.

[dreamers75]

Originally Posted by nullzero

I'm no fan of his but selling a product like FAI vantage club when the countries economy is in tatters was never going to be easy regardless of who was responsible.

Rugger lads sold theirs years ago.

[nullzero]

Originally Posted by dreamers75

Rugger lads sold theirs years ago.

Yeah, years ago... Was that before we all lost our jobs? Or are we going with the "rugger buggers are all loaded" line?

[redout]

There is 12,000 of them seats - the entire middle tier of the stadium.

The Argentina match showed vast empty seats in the middle tier.

It didnt take a rocket scientist the workout they werent all sold.

[dreamers75]

Originally Posted by nullzero

Yeah, years ago... Was that before we all lost our jobs? Or are we going with the "rugger buggers are all loaded" line?

No we are going with the rugger lads sold their years ago.

Compare the prices and who bought them.

[monkey9]

Yeah, but rugby fans in this country actually go to rugby matches, rather than just watching it on tv. You can't really compare.

[gosplan]

Originally Posted by dreamers75

Rugger lads sold theirs years ago.

They're selling standing Kiwi and SA tickets for 100 euro ... in a recession.

It was always going to be easier for the IRFU to sell their tickets than the FAI.

[dreamers75]

Originally Posted by monkey9

Yeah, but rugby fans in this country actually go to rugby matches, rather than just watching it on tv. You can't really compare.

No you can take Leinster as an example, normal gate a few years was 4000 similiar to a decent LOI attd at the time. Then they won things and had to play in the RDS with a normal gate of 15000.

Rugby fans paid for tickets as its near enough gauranteed success now, FAI havent had a team qualify for a tournement in 8 years now so obviously less interest in a team that may be ****.

[homerjay2005]

Originally Posted by dreamers75

Rugger lads sold theirs years ago.

different folks,different strokes. There is a different market for rugby and different People support the game. It represents a different class of people. Most of their tickets sold at a time when ireland has just won the grand slam. Had they only sold them now, perhaps a different story. The corporate bubble has since burst and it is now not sense to buy them. Also, the fact we got no attractive draws for euro 2012 didnt help.

The cost for upcoming autumn rugby friendlies is 100 quid ffs. Soccer folk think 50 is too much. There lies the difference. I think they did well to sell 6000.

[micks]

Originally Posted by redout

There is 12,000 of them seats - the entire middle tier of the stadium.

The Argentina match showed vast empty seats in the middle tier.

It didnt take a rocket scientist the workout they werent all sold.

Yet 35,000 attended the Rugby opener but they've sold their tickets.

10 yr ticket is a huge commitment in this climate. Yes the FAI failed to sell their target. Delaney should take a portion of the blame which I'm sure he should.

But OP what are you looking for? Delaney to resign?

[monkey9]

What was the actual pricing for tickets and for how long? Ten years??

[Zebra3]

Originally Posted by micks

But OP what are you looking for? Delaney to resign?

Yep.

This is Delaney's mess. The IRFU sold their corporate tickets before the recession kicked in. The FAI decided to wait.

The fact that they only sold 6,000 tickets shows they messed up the pricing.

And for the FAI to have the second most expensive national team manager in the world is disgraceful.

[CiaranC]

Originally Posted by micks

But OP what are you looking for? Delaney to resign?

The guy is on 400K+ a year and has run up debts of 38million.

[nullzero]

Does anyone else remeber John Delaney's previous job as a 60's style cover crooner?