Drogheda United’s win over Bohemians on Monday night was a cause for celebration in the ground, and doubly so becuase it was achieved in a stadium that the club owns for the first time in 35 years.
The investment of Trivela group last year held out the promise of better days to come and that has begun to materialise in very concrete form.
Originally sold to the FAI in the late 1980s with a repurchase option, Weavers Park has served as the home ground for Drogheda United over the past several decades. While the support of the FAI during this period was instrumental in maintaining the solvency and integrity of the club, the intention was always to reverse the deal.
Now thanks to a direct equity capital injection from Trivela Group, Drogheda United stands as the owner once again of its stadium, unburdened by any debt.
The club has committed to delivering a new home stadium in the Drogheda area within a reasonable timeframe, highlighting the club’s dedication to both its supporters and the local community. Initial work is already underway to move in this direction.
Until an option comes up on that front the club has committed to enhancing the experience in the ground.
“This is a momentous step for Drogheda United – we are now finally in control of our own facilities and our own destiny as a football club,” said Joanna Byrne, Co-Chairperson of Drogheda United.
“We will continue to welcome supporters to the ground in the interim and work diligently to develop a new stadium for the club and community.”
“This is a major step forward for the club,” added Executive Director Wesley Hill, an executive at Trivela Group.
“This allows us to plan for future stadium development while retaining control of our current home.”
“In the short term, we will enhance the supporter experience at Weavers Park, while actively pursuing future developments. We also thank the FAI for their support in promoting further stadium infrastructure development for Drogheda United and the League of Ireland.”
“This marks a landmark day for Drogheda United FC and we are pleased to be able to agree to the Club’s acquisition of Weavers Park which will provide the next significant step in the growth of League of Ireland football in Drogheda,” said League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon.
“We’d like to thank everyone at Drogheda United and the Trivela Group for their important and diligent work in reaching this point. With attendances rising at a tremendous rate over recent seasons as well as the growth of the male and female teams at the Club, the opportunity is there for the Club to build the infrastructure which is extremely necessary to help the Club realise its true potential in becoming an even bigger cornerstone of the community in Drogheda. We look forward to working with everyone at Drogheda United for the future of League of Ireland football in the area.”
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