Shamrock Rovers staff and players accept 25% pay cut following coronavirus shutdown

Shamrock Rovers have confirmed that their playing squad and management have accepted a 25% pay reduction in light of the ongoing shutdown of football due to the spread of coronavirus.

The squad have been training separately in line with HSE and FAI guidelines since the association formally suspended organised football on March 13^th.

Several clubs have already taken action to reduce their outgoings, with both Sligo Rovers and Cork City laying off employees on a temporary basis.

Bohemians have confirmed that players will be paid in full with the assistance of government covid-19 payments, while Dundalk and Shelbourne have also confirmed players will be paid in full.

“We must recognise that every business and every family is going through an extremely difficult period right now,” said Hoops boss Stephen Bradley.

“Our responsibility is to safeguard and protect everything that we have worked so hard to build and so we must move to protect the long term interests and ambitions of the football club.

“With all that in mind and after a collective consultation with our Sporting Director Stephen McPhail, our first team staff, club captain Ronan Finn and subsequently the rest of the players we can announce that the first team squad and staff have accepted to take a 25% wage reduction.”

He added: “We’ve been in football a very long time and they are absolutely one of the best groups of people that we have ever been lucky to work with. They do not earn huge salaries.

“Like us all they have mortgages to pay and bills to worry about. But despite that they have shown the compassion, foresight and capability to recognise that it falls on us all to help protect a football club which is very close to our hearts.

“Win lose or draw, every Shamrock Rovers supporter should be very proud that these guys represent you. They are an incredible bunch.”

Chairman Jonathan Roche said: “Having been personally involved in the recent discussions, I would like to pay thanks on behalf of the Board, the membership and all supporters of our club to the players and management for their appreciation of our current economic position with little or no income coming into the club.

"This is a special group, a most talented group of players and coaches and to come to us and be prepared to help the club by offering to take a salary reduction is most commendable, in fact it is unprecedented and I applaud and thank each and every one of the group for this tremendous gesture.

"As a club we are completely aligned and pay great respect to the squad and management for their understanding and care shown for the club. We would also like to acknowledge and pay thanks for the ongoing support of our Sponsors and Members at this difficult time for all."

Shamrock Rovers statement in full:

Shamrock Rovers F.C. thanks all the frontline and essential services workers who are caring and serving our country and our people at this particularly difficult period. We thank the people of Ireland for their perseverance with the Government restrictions imposed to help keep us safe.

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic is first and foremost a human health issue and we are acutely aware of the anxiety and suffering that families throughout the country are going through, the ramifications at a commercial level for a football business is obvious.

Shamrock Rovers F.C. like all other businesses in Ireland, and most of the world, is still taking on board the toll of the Covod-19 virus pandemic on the commercial reality facing the business. We rely on matchday income to sustain our business, in the absence of this for such an extended, and indeed unknown, period means that the incomes needed to sustain the budget are not there.

The Board and the Football department have been in constant dialogue since the beginning of the restrictions on movement and the closedown of football. As a club we are completely aligned and pay great respect to the squad and management for their understanding and care shown for the club. We would also like to acknowledge and pay thanks for the ongoing support of our Sponsors and Members at this difficult time for all.

Head Coach Stephen Bradley said:

“Shamrock Rovers only exists today because of the dedication and commitment of so many of our great supporters who saved the club from extinction in 2005.

“The years of hard graft and sacrifice of so many has since left this football club in a good place.

“Our board is as strong as it ever has been and their incredible support continues to gives us a real foundation to grow.

“Our strong partnerships with South Dublin County Council and the Roadstone Group have allowed us to play and train in the best stadium and training facilities in the country.

“Our Academy continues to thrive, the first team is getting stronger and stronger and we feel that we will continue to challenge for trophies.

“But, despite all of our progress, we must recognise that every business and every family is going through an extremely difficult period right now. Our responsibility is to safeguard and protect everything that we have worked so hard to build and so we must move to protect the long term interests and ambitions of the football club.

“With all that in mind and after a collective consultation with our Sporting Director Stephen McPhail, our first team staff, club captain Ronan Finn and subsequently the rest of the players we can announce that the first team squad and staff have accepted to take a 25% wage reduction.

“We recognise that they represent the most special football institution in the country and just like the 400 club in 2005 we have a responsibility collectively to play our part in safeguarding the club’s future.

“We’ve been in football a very long time and they are absolutely one of the best groups of people that we have ever been lucky to work with. They do not earn huge salaries. Like us all they have mortgages to pay and bills to worry about. But despite that they have shown the compassion, foresight and capability to recognise that it falls on us all to help protect a football club which is very close to our hearts. Win lose or draw, every Shamrock Rovers supporter should be very proud that these guys represent you. They are an incredible bunch.”

The Board of the football club continues to review the cost base at the club and in keeping with developments at Government and FAI level regarding reinstatement of matches with attendances, the club will make whatever decisions are required to sustain the club into the future.