Darragh MacAnthony is put under the spotlight and discusses his new book From Hobby To Obsession

Posted on 08/05/2012 by Darragh MacAnthony

The Big Interview: Peterborough Telegraph fires fans’ questions at Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony:

Of your many achievements as Posh chairman/owner is keeping Barry Fry quiet during the transfer speculation window one of your biggest?

“Ha, yes I am pretty proud that we have kept the transfer silence for so long.

“Baz has been as good as gold and it was the gaffer who broke cover and spoke about (Danny) Swanson and Paul Jones so I will have to remind him of that as he was the one who asked for the gagging order!”

What emotion best summed you up when you heard Jones had signed for a League One club rather than Posh?

“Let’s make something clear, Paul Jones didn’t choose Crawley over us at all.

“His agent was on non-stop telling us he would sign, but wanted to look at other options.

“If we had really wanted Jonesey a deal was there to be done.”

Has the transfer silence helped the club in their negotiations with prospective new players?

“Definitely. We have a great record of unearthing gems and if targets get out it makes life difficult for us.

“That’s why I didn’t like the ET article about Swanson as it gave agents leverage we didn’t need them to have.”

The bookies have Posh as favourites to be relegated. Where do you think we will finish?

“I don’t pay any attention to bookies.

“I’ll let the gaffer know our targets and objectives when we meet at the Portugal training camp and when we have our 22-man squad ready to go.

“We will be looking to improve top to bottom for sure.”

If money was no object who would you sign for your club?

“That list would be long!

“But I’d still not sign players on 20-30k per week as I don’t think it’s right for a Championship club to do that, especially with the new financial rules coming in.

“ I love our policy and I wouldn’t swap it for any other club’s.”

Are there any contract extension discussions going on with current Posh players?

“Yes we will be sitting down with three players who deserve new deals. No names sorry.”

Can you reveal the ‘unavoidable’ reason behind the change of home kit for next season?

“A mixture of reasons. Supplier stopped making the other one and the sponsor’s logo changed.

“I apologised to fans through my app as it was something I said wouldn’t happen every year.

“ I hold my hand up to getting that wrong.”

Can you say when the building work on the Moy’s End stand will start?

“Best speak to Bob Symns about the Moy’s.

“I don’t want to create drama if I start talking about the stadium right now.”

Can you at this moment in time ever see yourself leaving a) Posh b) football.

“Leaving Posh: Yes. Leaving football: No.

“I love owning a football club and would buy another one in a heartbeat.

“The only reason I’d leave Posh would be if I felt unwelcome or if I’d done all I can do.

“I adore and love owning Posh and only want good things for the club and the city, but at times I need help and for the city to want what I want regarding the stadium and training facilities so our club can get better and bigger.

“And it would help to bring more income into the city itself, while helping to put the city on the map.”

And the best Posh-related decision you have made?

“Bringing Fergie back!”

What Posh result did you most enjoy?

“The play-off final last year for sure.”

What was the motivation for your forthcoming autobiography and your well-received app?

“The book was just a way to recap an exciting period in my life. It’s a mixture of all good and bad that’s happened since I bought the club, plus some things you guys never really knew about.

“I also thought it was a good idea allowing Barry Fry and the gaffer to give their side of things which they do in their own chapters.

“The app was an idea form Neil Gilby at the club and it’s a good fun way of inter-acting with football fans everywhere.”

The DMAC App is available now on iTunes.

Darragh MacAnthony’s book From Hobby To Obsession is available here.

Visit Darragh MacAnthony’s own personal site here.

Greed is killing football

Posted on 06/22/2012 by Darragh MacAnthony

Darragh MacAnthony writes for MSN Sports Social Voices.

As the Euros spur football fever around the continent, Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony warns that the football’s lifeblood is under threat.

There is a recession going on in football but someone forgot to tell the players and their agents (and a handful of Premier League clubs).

Towards the end of 2008 the financial world went into meltdown and world economies nosedived. A large percentage of the global population has been affected in one-way or another – including me and probably most of the people reading this blog.

The Football League and its 72 members have also been victims of this recession with many of our most recent television and commercial deals being renewed for nearly 30% less then previous agreements. Many clubs will have seen dips in their attendances due to fans suffering economically, commercial revenue will also have dipped and turnover in general has been hit.

You only have to see the struggles of clubs such as Portsmouth, Plymouth, Luton, Port Vale and many others who have sailed close to the line to appreciate how tough it really is. I am constantly told that there are more out-of-contract or unemployed footballers right now than ever before, which gives you an idea of what’s really going on in football at the moment.

“Football is an industry”

A small number of players are insulated from this economic downturn – they are so high profile that they will always find a club willing to meet their demands. We see them in the papers, we all know their names. I’m not writing about them, they are a creation of the modern game and as far as I’m concerned they can carry on going as they have done without causing too much damage to anyone except the pockets of some very, very rich foreigners.

But football is an industry and most of the people employed in that industry need to be mindful of the economic climate. Just as in factories or bus depots, workers have two options: they can talk to their employers and agree a reasonable package that is going to ensure their long-term future by protecting the sustainable future of the business; or they can try to suck as much out for themselves in the short term, ensuring that they become a burden to the business and either have to be booted out or drag their employers and their colleagues down.

“They thought they could hold my club hostage”

I appreciate that it’s a short career span and players feel the need to earn as much money as they can from a transfer or new contract, but sometimes common sense must prevail.

I can think of a number of recent examples where players have refused sound long-term deals because they thought they could hold my club hostage. To be fair, it’s often the agents who are behind it, trying to get their cut. But players themselves need to take some responsibility to make sure the greed of some hangers-on with no connection to the club or its fans don’t put their own financial interests first.

Don’t get me wrong; there are plenty of fantastic players with professional agents who act impeccably at all times and are a real credit to their profession but there is just not enough of them in the football world to help fix this problem fast enough.

In football, if not in politics, we are all in it together: players, fans and owners. The fans are doing their bit; I can affirm that most owners are also digging deep. Now it’s the players’ turn.

Darragh MacAnthony is a businessman, supporter of the Free Kicks Foundation and owner of Peterborough United. You can follow him on Twitter at @DMAC102

Peterborough Football Chairman reveals on of the designs for new stadium

Posted on 12/02/2011 by Darragh MacAnthony

A tantalising image showing one of the possible options for the redevelopment of the London Road End was revealed by Peterboroguh United owner Darragh MacAnthony yesterday (Thursday).

Through his Twitter account @DMAC102, the club owner posted a picture of one of the early draft designs for the redevelopment of the home terraces at London Road stadium.

Peterborough City Council plans to revamp the ground one stand at a time, with work on turning the Moy’s End from a 3,495 capacity terrace to a 2,500 all-seater stand already underway.

And it appears from the concept pictures Mr MacAnthony tweeted that the London Road End is next on the council’s agenda, with the redeveloped stand looking to incorporate new, modern buildings facing onto London Road.

This parcel of land is currently a row of retail units – including the former Club Metro – which are set to be demolished to provide extra match-day parking before the area is redeveloped.

Mr MacAnthony, commenting on his Twitter account when he posted the image, said: “Interesting concept I’m looking at!!”.

However, the city council said that the image was one of several designs that have been created in the early stages of the redevelopment plan for the stand.

Nonetheless, the release of the image will please those Posh fans eager for the modernisation of the stadium, which will hopefully bring an increased capacity.

A council spokeswoman said: “The plans that have been released by the football club are part of the council and football club’s work to provide an improved community stadium.

“These plans show one of a number of options that we are jointly looking at for the redevelopment of the London Road terrace.

“The redevelopment of the London Road terrace is at a very early stage and the plans which have been released by the club need to be considered as ‘early thinking’. There is much more work to be done before we can announce our preferred plans for the London Road terrace.”

Peterborough United’s chief executive Bob Symns echoed the council’s comments, saying that the image is not necessarily indicative of what the redeveloped stand will look like once it is completed.

He said: “The picture shown is one of a series of concept proposals being prepared for discussions with regard to future London Road Stand design options.

“This is standard practice and follows the process we engaged when first considering the Moy’s End development, it is not in any way definitive.”

Darragh MacAnthony

Posted on 09/16/2011 by Darragh MacAnthony

Darragh was born in Dublin on March 24th 1976. The only son in the family, Darragh from a very young age learned the importance of family values, something which still holds true for him today.

He was educated in St. Marys College in Dublin until he was 15 and it was at this point when his family moved to the Marbella, Spain. He completed his education there, obtaining A-levels in Business, History and English Literature. After finishing school, Darragh worked for a period of time as a model, later moving into PR, advertising and direct selling. It was the latter that encouraged Darragh to setup his first true business opportunity, a real estate company which he started and expanded with his family by his side. Initially working from an apartment, his business acumen meant that this venture quickly grew into an international and multi-million real estate phenomenon.

During this time Darragh did not let go of one of his strongest passions – football. In 2006 he worked to make a life long dream come true as he turned his interests to the football industry, taking over as boss of Peterborough United Football Club. Since he acquired the Club it has evolved significantly and has won three promotions.

Darragh MacAnthony

Darragh’s entrepreneurial achievements at a young age are remarkable. He continues to keep his ear to the ground and encourages innovation and new business ideas through his Darragh MacAnthony Inventors Fund. Entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts from across the globe benefit from Darragh’s business expertise and funding.

Darragh MacAnthony

Darragh has been actively involved in the community for many years. He provided funding for the organisation, The Helping Hands Group, which officially opened on January 4th 2011 in the city of Peterborough and provides education, therapy sessions and vocation for people with physical or learning disabilities.

Darragh MacAnthony

The Director of the group, Suzanne Gilby had been seeking funding to open The Helping Hands Group for three years. For these reasons, Darragh decided to fund the organisation to help transform the lives of people with learning disabilities.

Darragh MacAnthony

Darragh has supported the Sue Ryder Care charity for years, donating thousands including damages won from a national newspaper in 2008 to the Thorpe Hall hospice in memory of his mother. Darragh said at the time; “I lost my mother to cancer four years ago and without the help from the local hospice people in Florida, (where she died), my family just wouldn’t have coped at all during her last couple of weeks.” Thorpe Hall fund-raiser Julie Laithwaite said: “We are delighted to hear that Darragh MacAnthony will be making a donation to Sue Ryder Care Thorpe Hall Hospice.”It’s great to know that the exceptional work we do is recognised by such a respected local figure.”

Darragh MacAnthony

Darragh has created many educational initiatives throughhis philanthropic actions, initiatives that promote learning and progressive education for people worldwide.

The Darragh MacAnthony Scholarship Award initiative was created to support students worldwide who need assistance with their university fees. Through this initiative students of all ages can request for Darragh to select them to receive up to $3000 towards university fees.

Darragh MacAnthony

Through Darragh MacAnthony School Tools, students wordwide can request to be selected or nominate a loved one to receive free educational tools. The initiative encourages learning by giving students the tools they need to fulfill their educational goals.

Darragh MacAnthony

The Darragh MacAnthony College Book Fund gives students across the globe the opportunity to request to be selected to receive $1000 towards school books. “College” is a general term for school in the USA, therefore students at all levels of education have the opportunity to request to receive a book fund.

Darragh MacAnthony

Darragh MacAnthony Sports Days was launched to encourage people of all ages to learn a new sport or rekindle the passion for an old one. Each free Sports Day gives a group of people the fortunate opportunity to spend a day with instructors, learn, excercise, meet new people and have fun.

You can contact Darragh MacAnthony through the following:

Darragh MacAnthony

www.darraghmacanthony.com

Darragh MacAnthony Inventors Fund

www.darraghmacanthonyinventorsfund.com

Darragh MacAnthony School Tools

www.darraghmacanthonyschooltools.com

Darragh MacAnthony Scholarship Award

www.darraghmacanthonyscholarshipaward.com

Darragh MacAnthony College Book Fund

www.darraghmacanthonycollegebookfund.com

Darragh MacAnthony Sports Days