Dundalk FC can confirm that negotiations have concluded for American-based businessman Brian Ainscough to assume full control of the club.
The Dubliner, who tasted League of Ireland football with Home Farm and Drogheda United as a youngster, moved to the USA in 1983 and spent the best part of three decades as a player and coach before moving into the business side of the game.
Based in Boston, Ainscough is the CEO of United Soccer League Two club Boston Bolts and was instrumental in Kerry FC’s introduction to the League of Ireland in 2023. He tendered his resignation as CEO and shareholder of the Tralee club last week.
“I knew that Dundalk were looking for investment and over the last month I looked at the club a bit more in-depth and ownership was something that I felt I would be very interested in,” said Brian Ainscough.
“I’m a competitor and I want to be involved with the very best. Dundalk, with all of its history and tradition, is, and has been, one of the top football clubs in the country and when this opportunity came up, it was too good to pass up.”
Ainscough arrived at Oriel Park on Tuesday and said he was eager to press ahead with plans for the 2024 season.
Brian Ainscough, the new owner of Dundalk FC. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
“We have a busy couple of weeks ahead with season tickets, new jerseys, new sponsors and new players to be announced before Christmas. The fixtures for the new season come out on December 15th and I can’t wait for the first game to come around in February.
“The objective for 2024 is to get the club back into Europe,” he added. “That’s our goal. We were only two points off finishing fourth last season which shows how close we are and Stephen O’Donnell can fully get to work now and talk to players and assure them that the club is in a good place and ready to kick on.”
Ainscough’s arrival brings Sean O’Connor, Alan Clarke and Andy Connolly’s and Sean O’Connor’s two-year spell as owners of Dundalk FC to an end.
“When we came into the club at the end of 2021, it was going in the wrong direction,” said Sean O’Connor. “The aim was to stabilise it and get it back on its feet and I think we achieved that, qualifying for Europe in 2022 and just missing out this year.”
“As local men, myself, Sean and Andy want to do whatever is right for Dundalk Football Club and we feel that Brian is the man to bring the club forward and develop it over the years ahead,” said Alan Clarke.
His comments were echoed by Andy Connolly, who said: “We’ve had lots of interest from people who wanted to get involved with the club and with his background, skills and connections, we firmly believe Brian is the one that we think can bring Dundalk FC into its next phase and we wish him the very best of luck going forward.”
