No Athlone Town investment deal or new manager yet
Despite all the speculation engulfing Athlone Town over the past week or so, a possible takeover of the club or new investment deal has yet to be finalised.
A club source told that the Westmeath Independent that it could take several weeks for an agreement with new investors to be concluded.
“It’s quite a complicated situation. There is no agreement in place yet and nothing has been signed,” the source told the Westmeath Independent.
It’s understood that the prospective new investors are strongly linked to English Championship club Plymouth Argyle and also have ties with clubs in Italy and Belgium.
The Irish Independent has reported that a group called Tiger 11, headed by Zack Goldman, will be “the key party in the takeover which would bring Athlone Town into a stable that already includes Italian side Cesena FC and Belgian second-tier outfit Patro Eisden”.
Athlone Town have been seeking new investors for a number of months. The club’s previous arrangement with Valeo Futbol Partnership – which saw the US-based company provide financial backing – came to an end towards the end of last year.
There was confusion over the holding of a possible press conference last Thursday as an invite was circulated to members of the national media. It has been reported that some journalists turned up at the Athlone Town Stadium expecting a press conference only to be told it wasn't proceeding.
Meanwhile, despite recent reports in the national media, Athlone Town have yet to appoint a new men’s team manager.
The Irish Sun reported last week that former Bray Wanderers manager Ian Ryan was set to take charge of Athlone.
Ryan did attend Athlone Town’s game against First Division leaders Dundalk last Friday night. But though Ryan is seen as a contender for the job, no appointment has been made.
The interim management team of Danny Byrne, Declan Holohan and Robbie Rock is expected to remain in charge for Athlone’s next league game away to Finn Harps on Friday night.
Athlone Town are currently without a permanent men’s manager, with Dário Castelo from Portugal having departed the role by mutual consent last month.
The Midlanders have endured a very disappointing start to their First Division campaign, only winning two of their first 13 games.
And despite a creditable 0-0 draw at home to Dundalk (see report in this week's print edition), Athlone have dropped to bottom of the First Division table after Longford and Kerry both claimed wins last weekend.
Elsewhere, Athlone Town maintained their place at the top of the Women’s Premier Division table with an impressive 3-0 away win over Galway United last Saturday night.