A POTENTIAL multi-million pound investment by the Toronto Investment Group (TIG) will go before Cliftonville members on Monday evening.
Reds members have been summoned to an Extraordinary General Meeting where the takeover process that has rumbled on for more than a year-and-a-half will be settled one way or the other.
In June, members voted in favour of a Special Resolution authorising the Management Committee to enter into formal negotiations with the Toronto Investment Group.
The deal had appeared to be off in January.
TIG is made up of former Cliftonville midfielder Conor Devine, entrepreneur and co-owner of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, Drew Green, chartered accountant John Muffolini and Bangor-born corporate director Ron Davidson.
As well as pledging a minimum outlay of £3m during the first three years of ownership, TIG also want:
- Introduction of a full-time model
- Substantial financial backing in the transfer market
- State-of-the-art training ground
- Supplying additional resources to the Reds’ academy
- Turning Solitude into an all-seater 5-6,000 capacity stadium featuring a new main stand and seated facilities along the length of the Waterworks end
- Redevelopment of the White House — the historic former pavilion and changing area into a club museum
- Legally binding agreement to never sell Solitude
- Protection of Cliftonville’s badge and colours
Green Party councillor and Cliftonvile fan Brian Smyth said: "This evening a vote will take place that could very well determine the future direction of Cliftonville Football Club for the decades to come.
"I know that over the past couple of years the process has been fraught and split sections of the fan base. There are people who I deeply respect will vote against the proposal from the Toronto Investment Group.
"For myself, I'll be voting for this tomorrow evening and my primary reasoning isn't the three million quid. It's the calibre of people who will come onboard.
"We need people with the skill sets to deliver a large scale capital infrastructure project in the shape of the stadium upgrade and who also have the ability to attract inward investment from all corners to propel the club onwards. Having someone like Drew Green at the heart of this, with his track record in businesses and sports in Canada gives me confidence that this is the right decision.
"We are three years away from the 150th anniversary of the club and for me this is a chance to deliver a long term legacy to protect and grow the club for future generations.
"As someone on the left of the political spectrum, I understand the unease some have with private investment, but we are operating in a landscape where the club is at serious risk of falling behind other clubs. The club needs to professionalise and simply move beyond being volunteer-led.
"The potential of Cliftonville has never been in doubt. I believe that this deal offers the best opportunity to meet that, whilst also retaining the soul of Ireland's oldest football club.
"Whatever comes from this evening, there is a serious piece of work that needs to be done to rebuild relationships and heal wounds within the fan base."
