GPS sports tracking giant STATSports has been linked to a sensational takeover of Dundalk Football Club.
The local sports software company is believed to be interested in buying the Oriel Park Club from current owner Peak6, who has promised to be ready to sell – but only if the price is right.
In a difficult season for Dundalk on and off the pitch, speculation remains that the US investment firm will give up its stake in the club at the end of this year.
To date, the owners have neither confirmed nor denied these rumors, but with other potential buyers believed interested, their continued commitment to Irish football could be put to the test.
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Alan Clarke, Founder and CEO of STATSports, works with Leinster Rugby. Image: SPORTFILE
Alan Clarke, Founder and CEO of STATSports, works with Leinster Rugby. Image: SPORTFILE
STATSports, the global leader in GPS sports tracking, was founded a little over a decade ago by Alan Clarke and Sean O’Connor, both of whom were from the Dundalk area and who would have entered the club as minors.
The company has seen meteoric growth and counts Liverpool, Paris St. Geramain and most of the leading football associations in world football to its impressive list of clients.
While the company is still privately owned, the company has recently made significant investments from Premier League stars, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Harry Maguire and Harry Kane, among others.
When contacted by The Argus, STATSports General Manager Paul Johnston declined to comment directly on the speculation but said:
“First of all, it has to be said that Dundalk FC is one of our customers, so we are already working very closely with them in the football field and, of course, we do statistics and analysis for the first team, but also for the academy teams. So there is already a very strong connection.
“It will always be their hometown club for Sean and Alan, and I’ve worked in Oriel for some time myself. Although we (STATSports) are now based in Newry, that connection will always be there. The club is obviously very important to the boys. “
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STATSports COO Sean O’Connor, who is from Bellurgan.
STATSports COO Sean O’Connor, who is from Bellurgan.
If the acquisition does go ahead, it would likely be seen as a positive move by the majority of Dundalk fans, some of whom took part in a protest earlier this year calling for the sale of Peak6.
At the beginning of the season, banners were set up at several home games calling on club chairman Bill Hulsizer, the father of Peak6 owner Matt Hulsizer, to resign.
However, Hulsizer Sr. said Thursday from Florida that Peak6 would only sell if the price and terms are right.
“Would we sell the club? I said it a year ago, if it makes sense, then we are investors, of course we would sell it. “
“You asked me this question a year ago and I told you that everything I own except my dogs is for sale, and I really believe that everything in the world is for sale.
“If someone makes you an offer, you have to consider it. I will give you a ridiculous example; If the owner of Leeds United called us and said you’d like to swap clubs with us, I think we’d get a deal right away. If someone says I have 12 cents and I want to own the club, we wouldn’t sell it because they don’t have the resources to run it. So if we sell it it is because we are investors and it is a positive sale.
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Dundalk FC chairman Bill Hulsizer. Image: sports file
Dundalk FC chairman Bill Hulsizer. Image: sports file
“A lot of people have asked me if we would sell and I told them the same thing I told you, but you have to remember that there is a social responsibility. Do we want to dispose of it and sell it for its pieces? No we are not. Do we want to pack our tent and sneak away with all the soccer balls in the middle of the night? No we are not.
“We won’t give it away for free. The club exists for the pleasure of Dundalk. I can’t promise you we’ll win the league every year, I can’t promise you we’ll go to Europe every year. All I can do is get the best people to try this, ”he added.
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