90 -1 is without doubt the best score ever recorded by Drogheda United but this was not in a game, it was the huge margin by which club members voted at last night’s Special General Meeting in favour of the club’s takeover by American sports investment company, Trivela.
The change of ownership will come into effect over the next few weeks once all the legal formalities have been completed.
Trivela plans to increase investment in the club’s front-office operations, implement a comprehensive long-term plan to fully professionalise the sporting department, increase the overall fan experience at Weavers Park in the short term, and begin discussions around a new stadium for Drogheda United FC for the long term.
Wesley Hill, Vice President of Trivela Group, will join the Drogheda Board as the Executive Director, overseeing day-to-day operations and managing the club’s public communications.
Club Director Conor Hoey announced the results of the vote in the Clubhouse alongside Jim McArdle Director and newly appointed Honorary Life President, and Club Chairpserson Joanna Byrne.
The trio were met with applause as the huge crowd in attendance cheered in excitement and perhaps relief that their Club now seems to have long-term security ahead.
Texas based Wesley Hill, VP of Operations with Trivela was in attendance and looked on from the back of the room as the excitement of the night unfolded. Hill will now become Executive Director of Drogheda United once the transaction is completed.
Addressing the crowd after the vote, Chairwoman Joanna Byrne offered thanks to many people whose work had resulted in bringing the club to this juncture.
“I want to thank Conor Hoey, who for the past year, has focused solely on seeking external investment to secure our club” she said. “Conor has committed himself tirelessly and the fact that we’re at this exciting new dawn for Drogheda United is testament to his hard work and dedication.
“I also want to thank you, the members and fans. You afforded the Board with the space to go through this arduous journey thoroughly and with diligence. Your trust in us has allowed us the space to secure an exciting future for this club we all love.”
“There are many past Chairmen and Board Members here tonight who all know how hard it is to keep a volunteer led football club going, let alone compete and represent Drogheda to the standard we have done and continue to do.
“This vote tonight has paved the way for that to not only continue, but to improve. I’m confident Trivela are the right long-term partners and look forward to working with them in the years ahead!!!”
An emotional and elated Byrne continued to thank her Board “Conor Hoey, Enda McCarrville, Andrew Purcell, Jim McArdle, Niamh Leonard and Dermot McKenna for their persistence and hard work this year before concluding the meeting with these words of passion:
“Thank you all for coming, thank you all for putting your trust in us, you have made history here tonight and as enter this new dawn -I’m confident we are about to see the best version of Drogheda United this town and city to be has ever seen!!”
