Dermot Desmond has pulled no punches in a letter to Shamrock Rovers members today concerning what he sees as “non-executive directors acting against the best interests of the membership or the club.”

Desmond and businessman Ray Wilson each own 25% of the club, while Shamrock Rovers Members Club Limited owns the rest.

Each ownership group is represented on the board, and Ciaran Medlar is the independent chair.

Desmond blames John Martin’s departure as CEO on the working environment created by board members and describes his departure as “a significant setback and damaging to the club.

He is right. Martin was an excellent CEO with a clear vision of the club’s future, but it will now be doing so without him.

That he has been moved to such a public display of anger is out of character and clearly the action of someone in danger of losing patience.

After the completion of the new North Stand, the advance in Europe over the winter, and the almost unbroken run of success since he got involved, it seems that some will never fully be happy.

In the letter, he again dismissed the idea of his launching a full club takeover as a ‘non-issue’ and said there are no plans to reduce fan ownership below 50%.

If it gets to the point where those representing that ownership are seen as too much trouble, there are plenty of other investments he can make.  A space to be watched.

 

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

John Martin to Exit Shamrock Rovers CEO Position

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

Dermot Desmond prefers to do his business away from the spotlight, and this action clearly results from a buildup of frustration.  What happens next will be determined by the actions of the board members he is calling out.

WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Shamrock Rovers play St Patrick’s Athletic tomorrow night.

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