Questions and answers with Athlone Town FC over investors

*This article was published in the Westmeath Indepedendent print edition in late April.

Athlone Town FC has said that the investor behind the new departure in the club is a Portuguese registered firm, PRÉ SEASON. 

The firm is registered in Amadora, a district of Lisbon and is involved in the organisation, production, management and execution of sporting events. 
The Westmeath Independent sent a series of questions to Athlone Town FC on March 30. We received the following response on April 21.
 'In light of your questions the club would like to clarify some matters. First of all the club has not been sold, taken over by mysterious men in dark coats or anything of the sort. It has come to an arrangement with a Portuguese-based investor in relation to the first team,' said the club in a statement. 
'It is early days yet but the idea is that the partnership will bring stability and ultimately success to the club. The plan is to not only to keep League of Ireland football in Athlone but help the club go on to better things. While it is a new departure the club can only stress that the deal is very much in the best interests of Athlone Town AFC going forward.
 'However it is important to note that the mechanics of the investment arrangement are confidential, until the investor says otherwise. 
“The investor has also been made aware of various comments, untruths, utterly false accusations, defamatory statements about the deal and individuals at the club. As far as the club is concerned these comments that have been posted on social media are based on zero actual factual knowledge. 
“Nobody likes to see lies written about themselves no matter how big or how small the forum.
 'All the club has to say on this turn of events is that it is most unfortunate the distasteful culture of 'fake news' accompanies an arrangement aimed solely at improving Athlone Town AFC's first team's fortunes.'  

 Q: What is the status of the current investor vis-a-vis control and/or decision making within or of Athlone Town FC?

A: We can confirm that control of the club is, and always will be, exercised by the Committee of Management in accordance with its constitution. The club has not been sold nor has it been taken over.
 

Q: When was the agreement with the investor signed and what is its duration?

A: The precise date when the agreement was signed is not that important, other than it was completed in the build up to the start of the current season. What is important to note is that the agreement is for a five-year period. It is to be reviewed annually with a three year break clause. This gives both the club and the investor a chance to see how things are progressing.
  

Q: What is the scale of this investment and who is the current investor(s)?

A: Under the terms of the agreement the scale of the investment must remain confidential. The investor is Lisbon registered firm PRÉ SEASON, corporate entity, UNIPESSOAL LDA. 
 

Q: Has Athlone Town made FAI aware of the identity of the investor and if so when?

A: The simple answer to this is yes. All information was given prior to the start of the season when the club made its successful application for a licence. The club is governed by the FAI and accordingly abides by all its rules. The club, as it is required to do, fulfils all its obligations to the league and the association.  The agreements were lodged with their legal department and have been approved. Again, and not wanting to sound like a broken record, the agreements with the investor are private and confidential and accordingly not for public dissemination.
 

Q: Has the investor invested in other football clubs around the world? If so, when and where?

A: No. 
 

Q: What is the purpose of Callaview Limited, a company established in December 2016, and with a registered address at Athlone Town Stadium?

A: The company was set up to aid the management of club's first teams affairs. That can be established in the CRO.
 

Q: What was the rationale by the club in accepting this investment and who made the decision?

A: The sole purpose of this arrangement is to relieve financial pressure on the club and thereby allowing it to expand and be competitive on a national and international level.  The club does not aspire to be some parochial club playing in a national league. To exist is not good enough and the First Division at present is a place where clubs could easily die a slow death without too many people noticing. This arrangement guarantees the club nothing but gives us the chance of getting back into the Premier Division and who knows maybe, just maybe we can become the next Dundalk. It's early days yet and right now the main focus is all about stability and being competitive in the First Division.