Champions Dundalk guarantee jobs and wage payment for all employees

Champions Dundalk have become the latest League of Ireland club to guarantee the wages of staff for the duration of the league’s shutdown the coronavirus crisis.

The Lilywhites released a statement on Tuesday afternoon confirming that all playing, coaching and administrative staff will retain their jobs and be paid their wages in full over the uncertain period.

The League of Ireland is currently suspended until at least June 19^th and the Premier Division has been cut back from 36 games to 27 games.

Sligo Rovers and Cork City have already confirmed temporary lay-offs for their players and some coaching staff, while Bohemians and Shelbourne will continue to pay theirs.

And while a potential three-month shutdown will not be easy for any club in the league to bear, the champions are best-suited to cover their expenses given their Champions League income.

“We are proud of all of your efforts thus far to instil a sense of stability and community as COVID-19 continues to spread around the world,” read a statement from the club’s board of directors.

“The world is a very different place than it was a year ago, a month ago and even a few weeks ago. Times like these bring uncertainty and stress to us all.

“Although these are stressful times, the Board of Directors would like to make sure that no member of Dundalk FC is stressed about losing their job and wages.

“You will all continue to be paid and the Board of Directors is committed to keeping stability in your daily lives and homes as we all get through this difficult time.

Full statement:

The club’s Board of Directors has issued the following message to all Dundalk FC supporters and volunteers.

We are living through trying times and realise that many in our community have the added worry of losing their livelihoods in a time of shutdowns, lay-offs and pay holidays. With that in mind, the Board of Directors sent the following message to our players, coaches and staff on Saturday.

‘Dear Dundalk FC family,

We are proud of all of your efforts thus far to instil a sense of stability and community as COVID-19 continues to spread around the world. The world is a very different place than it was a year ago, a month ago and even a few weeks ago. Times like these bring uncertainty and stress to us all.

Although these are stressful times, the Board of Directors would like to make sure that no member of Dundalk FC is stressed about losing their job and wages. You will all continue to be paid and the Board of Directors is committed to keeping stability in your daily lives and homes as we all get through this difficult time.

We ask that everyone continues to follow government guidance and team policies as we can all do our part to beat COVID-19. We also wish you all health, happiness and safety.’

We also want to thank our loyal sponsors for being there with us through the suspension of play. We also want to thank our season ticket holders for their ongoing support. Without the commitment of our sponsors and season ticket holders, we would not be able to make this commitment to our employees. Please support our sponsors to the extent that you are able during this crisis and, especially, once the crisis has passed.

As noted in the club’s communication of March 14th, we take pride in the supporters and volunteers who have offered to assist the elderly and vulnerable in our community. We applaud you for that and we thank you for your continuing support of Dundalk FC.

We wish each and every one of you the best of health and look forward to seeing all of you at Oriel Park very soon.