Sligo Rovers FC has announced plans to restructure its operations in a bid to secure vital external funding while preserving its status as a member-owned cooperative. The club, which is currently owned by the Sligo Football and Sport Development Society, confirmed it is not for sale but intends to create a separate entity to manage football operations and unlock commercial opportunities.
Chairman Tommy Higgins stated that while the club’s traditional model has served it well for nearly a century, the evolving landscape of the League of Ireland necessitates change. With other clubs benefiting from significant external investment and the financial rewards associated with European competition, Higgins emphasized that the club’s ambition must shift beyond mere survival to thriving in a more competitive environment.
The proposed structure aims to bridge the gap between traditional community ownership and modern commercial requirements. According to the club, legal and financial research conducted since their April Annual General Meeting indicates that investment can be attracted without undermining the role of the members, who will retain control over strategic decisions. The club’s home ground, Sligo Showgrounds, remains held in trust and is unaffected by the proposed changes, with the current lease extending until 2064.