The Finn Harps Board of Directors will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday morning to address the club’s financial situation going forward.
It was confirmed yesterday that next week’s north-west derby against Derry City at Finn Park was postponed due to Derry’s involvement in a Europa League qualifier against FC Midtjylland of Denmark.
Derry are in Denmark for the first leg next Thursday with the return leg in Sligo a week later.
Harps were keen to have the game against Derry fixed for Ballybofey on Sunday-week, July 2 but it is being suggested that this has not been sanctioned as Derry are away from home in the first leg.
“We don’t want to panic or dramatise it, but the Board will have an emergency meeting on Sunday morning to get a plan together,” Finn Harps Commercial Officer Aidan Campbell (above left) said.
“There are extra costs associated with the whole thing and we just don’t know when the game will be played. We’d hope that it will be played in an early slot in July, but it all depends on how Derry City do in Europe.
“It is a worrying time for us. The game is likely to be played mid-week now and that will impact greatly on the attendance. A Friday night or Sunday afternoon game would have got us in excess of 3,000 people at Finn Park.
“We have already have some disappointing gates this season and we need to get a plan in place now.”
Harps’ next scheduled home game is Friday, July 14 against Cork City but if Cork were to overcome Levadia Talinn in their opening round tie in the Europa League that fixture against Harps is likely to be shelved.
Campbell added: “One thing we strongly want to say is that we wish Derry City well in Europe. Our beef is not with Derry City at all. Whatever about rivalry, there is a strong respect there. We wish them well, like we do all the League of Ireland clubs.
“But we are in a sticky situation now, pure and simple.”
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