Drogs, 

As Christmas descends upon us and we come to year end, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and I look forward to having you all back in Head In The Game Pk in the New Year. 

As you all know, I’ve had the honour in recent weeks of being appointed Interim Chairperson of Drogheda Utd replacing the one and only Conor Hoey. I want to thank Conor Hoey for the dedication, commitment and love he has shown this club not only in his time as Chairman but throughout his entire life. I’ve absolutely no doubt his beloved Dad Vincent is watching down with immense pride at how Conor has steered the club he too loved, in great directions. 

Conor has remained a Board member and Director of the club and is currently focusing on sourcing external investment. He has been doing trojan work on this behind the scenes in recent months and although there is interest, filtering out the right fit for the club and what external investment could and would look like for the club while keeping it’s core values at heart is a mammoth task. As things progress on this front, we will keep the members and supporters updated. 

We have been very transparent in why we need external investment. For a number of year’s we have had near enough the lowest playing budget in the League and the board are working very hard to give Kev more or less the same budget as last year, and even at that this will be a mountain of a challenge for us to deliver. What Kev and Daire have done with the budget they’ve had is in my view very under-rated. This year however is much more challenging in many aspects. Many LOI clubs have received external investment and that combined with the re-structuring of players wage agreements is putting a major strain on us not only trying to keep up but to compete. Being the only part-time club is always going to be challenging but we really seem to be up against it this year. 

This is where we need your support!! 

We have re-launched our club lotto and I am doing a call to arms for members to support it. This is a fundamental part of our financial plan this year and we really need our friends and supporters to rally behind it and subscribe to a weekly subscription. For as little as €2 p/w you can play your part in keeping the show on the road and helping us to continue to deliver Premier Division Football for our town. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is that we garner support for the lotto over the coming weeks and months. 

I have attached the link for the lotto below;

Drogheda United | Choose Product (clubzap.com)

As we move into 2023, I am excited at what the next year will bring. Kev has already assembled the makings of a cracking team for next season with many of the fan favourites remaining with us. As full integration of our Academy with Drogheda Boy’s & Girls continues, that along with the prospect of investment and the realisation of new stadium plans progressing, along with the formation of our Women’s team under Laura we have a lot to look forward to. However, the one ask I have of you is for you, your family and friends to support our lotto and together we will continue to build our club to the heights it deserves. 

I’d also like to thank the hard-working board that I have around me. Conor, Enda, Niamh, Jim, Andrew, Ciaran, Dermot, Graham and Hubert – your ongoing determination and support for our club never falters and has to be commended. A special thanks has to go to Niamh, her passion and optimism is always an inspiration to me. She is without doubt an unsung hero of our club!!! 

I’d like to give a special mention to three stalwarts of our club Jim Mc Ardle Honorary Secretary, and Bridie Kerr & Gene Mc Kenna our two Honorary Presidents, Best wishes to the three of you this Christmas from everyone in DUFC. 

Finally, to you all – Thank you all for loving the club as much as we do. For proudly wearing your Claret and Blue and for supporting our team and club on and off the pitch in the many different ways that you all do. 

To our Members, Volunteers, Sponsors, Supporters, Players, Coaches, Staff and Parents – I wish you the Happiest Christmas and New Year. 

I hope Santa brings lots of Drogs jerseys to you all 🙂

Nollaig Sona Daoibh agus Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise 

Joanna