Cork City on verge of takeover from Dublin businessman Dermot Usher

Cork City are nearing a takeover after their board of management provisionally accepted an offer from Dublin businessman Dermot Usher to buy 100% of the club.

Usher led the Irish bathroom brand SONAS Bathrooms over a 30-year period as a family business, originally founded by his father John, and has previously attempted to be part of takeovers at Dundalk and Bray Wanderers.

Dermot Usher sold the business, which had projected sales of €45m in 2021, last year and remains a non-executive director.

City, currently owned by their member group, Friends of the Rebel Army Society (FORAS), have been seeking investment or a takeover since the collapse of the agreement with the late Trevor Hemmings.

He had helped to rescue the club after a period of financial turmoil.

The Rebels have been promoted to the SSE Airtricity League top flight next season after winning the 2022 First Division.

In a statement, their current board said they have accepted the proposal for a complete takeover, which will now go to a vote by members on 4 December.

The board say they will be exclusively engaging with Usher and not consider any other bids.

They claim it can lead to an "exciting next chapter in the history of Cork City FC".

Under the new ownership, Cork would seek European qualification in the coming seasons.

As it stands their current budget would be unlikely to challenge for the top four places as they return to the top flight.

Usher has also promised to hire two permanent members of staff in marketing and academy roles, as well as regular engagement with FORAS members on his work at the club.

FORAS will be left with an undisclosed sum of money to enable the Trust to continue operating in its original capacity as a guardian for Cork City FC.

Usher said he