Harps vote clears path for Gonzalez takeover

In the packed hall of the Finn Harps Co‑Operative Society, members gathered as the club’s future hung in the balance. The proposed takeover by former Philippines international Freddy Gonzalez moved towards completion after a vote in favour at a Special General Meeting on Tuesday.

Vote clears hurdle for €4m investment

Gonzalez has promised an initial €4 million investment into the Donegal outfit if his takeover proposal is passed. Two rounds of votes were required to green‑light the acquisition. The first of those took place two weeks ago following a Special General Meeting of Finn Harps Co‑Operative Society Limited.

The second vote, held on Tuesday evening, needed at least a 75 percent majority to rubber‑stamp the process. That hurdle was cleared overwhelmingly and Finn Harps subsequently confirmed that the resolution had been passed.

Club officials said: "Members of the Finn Harps Co‑Operative voted to confirm the Special Resolution concerning the proposed acquisition of the club by Freddy Gonzalez at a Special General Meeting this evening." They added that the board will now work with Freddy to finalise the transaction in the coming weeks.

Gonzalez, 48, is the co‑founder of Terry SA, a retail company in his native Philippines. He also has family ties to International Container Terminal Services, a Philippine business dynasty with annual revenue in the billions.

Finn Harps, currently fan‑owned, finished bottom of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division this season. Gonzalez has pledged works on Finn Park, assistance to complete a new stadium in Stranorlar, and investment to take the first team full‑time next season.

He told RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport that more than €4 million would cover renovations at Finn Park, squad costs, staffing, recovery facilities, rented buildings in Ballybofey, a new office and a club shop on Main Street, with further infrastructure expected within three to four months.