The DFC Trust’s Des McKeown – who is also the co-ordinator of the newly-established ‘Friends of Dundalk FC Committee’ – has penned the following message relating to the ‘Friends of Dundalk’ initiative which will be officially launched on 23 February in Oriel Park. Members will receive a personal letter in the coming week outlining the changes.
A Message from the DFC Trust
As you may know, the Patron Scheme has been replaced by a new initiative – the Friends of Dundalk FC – and I would like to inform you of what this involves for people who were already members of the Patron Scheme and for new members of Friends of Dundalk FC.
Firstly, if you are a member of the DFC Patron Scheme you do not need to do anything to become a member of Friends of Dundalk. Your membership automatically transfers over to the new scheme.
There has been some concern among some DFC Patron Scheme members that the funds raised will no longer be protected and directed towards the playing budget of the club.
This is not the case.
The DFC Trust have simply entered into a partnership with Dundalk FC in order to improve the benefits for members, make improvements in administration of the scheme and also to avail of a very generous offer by an anonymous benefactor.
This benefactor has committed to doubling the money that is raised by new members up to €30,000. This would make a huge difference to the budget of the club if we can reach this target. The money raised will go to no other purpose other than the playing budget of Dundalk FC. The fund is jointly administered between the DFC Trust and Dundalk FC. A new committee has been formed to manage the Friends of Dundalk.
It consists of the following people:
Des McKeown (DFC Trust/Friends of Dundalk Co-Ordinator); Paul Johnston (General Manager – Dundalk FC); Fintan Nelson (Commercial Manager – Dundalk FC) – Jimmy Neary (DFC Trust Board Rep); Colm Murphy (DFC Trust Board Rep) – John Fergus (DFC Trust Secretary); Declan McArdle, Finbar Gethins (DFC Trust Committee).
In short, the Friends of Dundalk is an improvement on the Patron Scheme and one that we hope will boost the club’s budget significantly.
If anybody wants to discuss the changes or anything relating to the Friends of Dundalk scheme – please contact us at friendsofdundalk@dundalkfc.com – we are happy to discuss any aspect of this initiative with any supporter.
Among the new benefits for members are a free season ticket that can be used by any young Dundalk fan under the age of 16. They will also have free membership of a Junior Lilywhite Club that will be launched very soon by our new club promotion officer Dean Arrowsmith. Members get significant discounts on season tickets and Gold and Platinum members are able to avail of entry to the weekly lotto draw. The full details are below and here on the dedicated Friends of Dundalk page on dundalkfc.com. We have also teamed up with myclubfinances.com to allow for improved online signups.
As well as improved member benefits, the Friends of Dundalk will also contribute to two very worthy community causes: St Brigid’s Special School and SOSAD. The Friends of Dundalk will contribute €10 per member between both organisations equally. We know of many Dundalk fans who have been helped by these organisations and hopefully we can make a significant contribution.
To everybody who is a current member, we are hugely appreciative of your continued support of this fundraiser. It’s a considerable amount of money that you are contributing and Sean McCaffrey is very aware of this when he decides how best to spend it. We would make a big appeal to all Dundalk fans to join up to this initiative. It remains one of the most crucial fundraisers within Dundalk FC.
Below you will find the list of benefits on offer for all members of the Friends of Dundalk. You can download a form and sumbit it to the office in Oriel Park or to any DFC Trust member. You can also join up online using the service provided by myclubfinances.com.
We hope to see you at the 2012 Season Launch night in Oriel Park on February 23rd!
We hope you can join up to make it a big success!
Des McKeown DFC Trust – Friends of Dundalk Co-Ordinator.
Your Club Friends of Dundalk Subscription can be registered and paid online here by Credit Card, Debit Card(such as Laser) or by Cheque.
Subscribe online to have your own Account, where full details on your Membership will always be available to you.
