Galway United to become the League of Ireland's latest fully fan-owned club

Galway United have become the latest League of Ireland club to move to a 100% fan ownership model.

Joining Wexford, who announced they were to transition to a supporter-run co-operative earlier this year, the Tribesmen announced the news on Saturday evening.

They will announce new membership schemes in due course which will be similar to those already run by members-owned clubs in the league like Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.

The current Galway United, while most would see them as inheriting the history of the original club formed in 1937, has its roots in the Galway FC club formed in 2013.

Galway FC was made up of the Galway United Supporters Trust – which had financed the old club through its struggles – the Galway FA and junior clubs Mervue United and Salthill Devon.

The club was renamed Galway United after gaining promotion to the Premier Division at the first attempt in 2013.

Mervue and Salthill surrendered their interest in the club in 2016, and now the Galway FA have given up their claim on the club, leaving it to the supporters to run as a members-owned club.

While the Galway FA will no longer have a stake in running the club, Galway will continue to be tenants and pay rent to it for Eamonn Deacy Park.