Dundalk FC CEO Peter Halpin penned the following piece for the match programme for the Louth Derby with Drogheda United at Oriel Park.
I would like to extend a very warm welcome, and a very Happy Easter, to our supporters and partners, as well as everyone associated with Drogheda United, ahead of this afternoon’s Louth Derby.
It is my pleasure penning this piece as the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Dundalk Football Club. I was humbled when Brian Ainscough asked me to take on the role alongside my own business, Halpin Sport Sponsorship and I am very proud to do so.
When Brian spoke with me about coming in and helping, I was quite excited and I’m looking forward to the challenge. It is a challenge, there is no question about it, but it is not an insurmountable challenge and over the last number of weeks, as a team off the field, we have been making steady strides.
We have to ensure we have a solid structure in place commercially so that whatever we promise is delivered and that we have options available to suit all budgets, whether that is a small business or a multi-national, be it in Dundalk or surrounding areas.
It is our job to deliver for that business and ensure that their money is well spent and that they don’t feel that perhaps it wasn’t the most clever option to get involved with Dundalk FC. It is our responsibility to make sure that people are loved for parting with that money. That is very important as well.
Ensuring that solid structures and procedures are in place has been the main thrust of the work undertaken in recent times and I am very pleased we have made significant progress in that regard.
As a club, we need to drive back into the community, whether that be from a supporter perspective or re-engaging with the businesses locally. Not only from within Dundalk but the hinterland too as we have supporters attending matches for years from areas such as Cootehill, Castleblayney, Carrickmacross, Newry, Ardee, Dunleer, Togher, Forkhill, Crossmaglen, Monaghan, Lordship, Cooley, Omeath to name but a few.
From a community perspective, members of the club have been out and about representing Dundalk FC in recent weeks. Our academy players had a presence in the St Patrick’s Day Parade, first-team squad members have been out on school visits, which form part of our new schools’ programme, and members of staff played their part in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day.
Our newly-launched, Dundalk FC Futsal Down Syndrome team and the planned half-time matches involving local Dundalk Schoolboys League clubs are further examples of what we need to do as a club.
We also have fundraising initiatives planned over the coming months including a Dundalk FC Golf Classic that I am looking forward to sharing further details about soon.
Dundalk FC is like a focal point for so many people and once we have that right off the field there’s no reason why it can’t give us a platform to ensure that on the field can be as successful as those glory nights of not so long ago!
Let everyone who is involved with this wonderful club, the supporters and the business people of the town and surrounding areas work together and keep driving on. We have plenty to do, let’s get back to work and see where it brings us.
C’mon The Town!
Peter Halpin
