Overwhelming majority vote in favour of Finn Harps takeover by Freddy Gonzalez
It is the first of two votes that have to take place, with the second needing a 51% majority on Tuesday, November 3
Finn Harps Co-operative Society received an overwhelming majority of votes in favour of the Special Resolution for the proposed acquisition of the club by Freddy Gonzalez at Monday night’s Special General Meeting.
400 people participated in the vote in Jackson’s Hotel, which was in-person, with paper votes and online voting both accepted, while a further online attendance voted online through ElectionBuddy, with 397 voting in favour of the Special Resolution.
The quorum for the meeting was 20 members present and entitled to vote, which was widely exceeded with a huge crowd attending in person and a further 150+ online.
For the resolution to pass, a majority of 75% had to vote in favour, which was widely exceeded.
A second meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 3 in which a majority of 51% will have to vote in favour.
The resolutions voted on were as follows:
Resolution 1: It is resolved that the proposed acquisition of the business and assets of Finn Harps Co-operative Society Limited by Freddy Gonzalez through NewCo, on terms approved by the Committee, is approved.
Resolution 2: It is resolved that the Committee of Finn Harps Co-operative Society Limited is authorised to negotiate, finalise and enter into the transaction documents and to take all actions necessary or desirable to implement the proposed transaction, including agreeing any amendments that the Committee considers not materially adverse to the Finn Harps Co-operative Society Limited or its members.
Gonzalez said just after the votes were confirmed: “We can’t thank you guys enough, but now the work starts and we have to get moving, and we’ll work really hard to make you guys proud of the club.”
Chairman Ian Harkin added, “It has been a historic night for the club. Just a reminder that this is the first in a two-part process,” alluding to the next vote at the beginning of November.
Before the vote took place, Gonzalez addressed the crowd in the Drumboe Suite, before a PowerPoint presentation from Ian Harkin on what the deal would mean for the future of the club if it were to be voted in favour or against.
Gonzalez began: “When you care deeply about something, you want to know it is in safe hands. I totally respect that because what we are discussing is not simply a business transaction, it is your club.
“My responsibility would be to help protect what you have built and give it the support to move forward. This is why I believe in this proposal. Protecting Finn Harps means preserving its identity, but it also means giving the club the financial and organisational foundations it needs for the future.
We must look after what makes it special while giving it the opportunity to become stronger. The proposed terms address practical priorities, running costs, outstanding creditors, improvements to Finn Park and support for the season ahead. They also include safeguards, for the club's name, its connection to Ballybofey, and the harp at the heart of its badge.
“I want to be clear. The responsibility for running the club may change, but the importance of its people does not. For me, meaningful engagement means being approachable, making time for conversations, and listening even when the message is difficult to hear.
“I know trust cannot be won in one speech. It has to be earned through decisions, through actions, through doing what you say you will do.
“I believe this takeover offers a way to protect the club you love by giving it the foundations to move forward with confidence.
“I cannot promise that every step will be easy, but I approach this with respect for what Finn Harps means, a clear sense of responsibility, and a genuine determination to help build its next chapter. “