SHELBOURNE have called on councillors to agree to hand the club a 250-year leasehold on Tolka Park.
After pulling out of an agreement to share Dalymount Park with Bohemians, Shels have concentrated on securing the long-term future of the Drumcondra ground.
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It, like Dalymount, is owned by Dublin City Council but its management struck a deal with Shels for its effective transfer to the current league leaders.
Shels are to pay €1million in three instalments – two due this year and a third in December 2026 – employ two football community officers for five years and undertake ground improvements under the terms of the deal.
It has already been approved by the North Central Area Committee of DCC and will now go before the full council on Monday.
In a statement, the club said: “Shelbourne FC are today calling on all councillors to vote YES on the proposal advocating for the preservation and revitalisation of Tolka Park as a vital sports and cultural hub for our local community.
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“The club extends a huge thank you to everyone involved in reaching this crucial juncture, especially the dedicated volunteers across the club and all those involved in the Save Tolka Park campaign.
“Not long ago the future of our stadium hung in the balance.
“However a change in the composition of our board members coupled with a new long term vision for the club reignited our commitment to Tolka Park as our home ground.
“Over the last number of years, the board has undertaken an enormous commitment to bring these negotiations to a conclusion.
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“Due to the extremely sensitive nature and the legalities involved, public communication was not always possible.
“The board would like to put on record its thanks to our supporters, partners, and volunteers, for their patience in this regard.
“We take pride in the recent upgrades to Tolka Park, including increased capacity of the Riverside Stand and Ballybough Stand, and the upgrade to our PA system and toilet facilities.
“Our dedication to investing in Tolka Park reflects our commitment to creating a home for champions – for both our men’s and women’s teams and a range of community initiatives, and the preservation of Tolka Park, a special place that means so much to so many.
“By granting Shelbourne FC a long-term leasehold for Tolka Park, councillors will not only support our club, but also enrich the wider sporting and social fabric of Drumcondra and North Dublin as a whole.
“The board of Shelbourne FC have been working extensively on refurbishment plans and the associated investment required to elevate Tolka Park to a modern facility, details of which will be announced in due course.
“We’d encourage all Shelbourne FC fans and members of the local community to let their local representative know their views on this matter and your preference to grant Shelbourne FC a 250-year leasehold for Tolka Park.
“You can contact them by using the tool below, courtesy of the Save Tolka Park campaign: https://action.uplift.ie/campaigns/email-your-councillors-to-save-tolka-park-deal.”
