Bray Wanderers have issued a remarkable statement saying the club is financially secure and they "have a vision for the future unrivalled by any other football club in Ireland" as they aim to purchase new grounds and rezone the Carlisle Grounds.
Five Bray Wanderers players were seeking to be released from their contracts to find new employment after a period of turmoil at the club and an uncertain remainder of the season, but Bray look set to retain their key men.
They are now planning to rezone their current home which is in the heart of Bray and use the proceeds to fund a new development.
In the statement, new chairman Gerry Mulvey said "a revolution of football is going to start" and they "will be the leaders not just for Wicklow but for Ireland in this revolt".
The statement read: "Bray Wanderers FC can now officially confirm the club is financially stable for the foreseeable future and have a vision for the future unrivalled by any other Football Club in Ireland.
"Wicklow County has unfortunately now attained the accolade of being the North Korea of Ireland for business.
"But like all suppressed people, they eventually revolt, a revolution of Football is going to start and Bray Wanderers will be the leaders not just for Wicklow but for Ireland in this revolt.
"Ireland produced great world beating players, from Roy Keane, John Giles, Liam Brady, Robbie Keane to Ray Houghton and many many more.The problem and question is why cannot Ireland produce such great talent anymore.
"We at Bray Wanderers are going to answer the questions and solve this problem.
"We are going to give Wicklow and Ireland something to be proud of where there will be an academy to rival the best in the world. Rest assured, we will execute the delivery of our vision [of] a world class football academy to rival the best in the world.
"To achieve this, yes, we are going to and are in preliminary negotiations to buy a new ground, and will be seeking from Wicklow County Council the rezoning of the land in the Carlisle Grounds with the development proceeds used to fund the construction of what will be the best academy and sporting grounds in the country.
"To keep the club on a sound financial footing and independently fund this academy and club forevermore, we do have a plan on how to do that.
"This will be at no cost to the exchequer or county council."
Mulvey then again promised that Bray’s new approach will involve a football academy comparable with some of biggest clubs in the world.
He said: "Eventually when we have succeeded in our vision creating the best centre of excellence in Ireland, based on academies such as Barcelona, Manchester United and other in that calibre, [it will lead to] creating the best production line of players in Ireland.
"We will hand the facility and sustainable business over to a trust who will protect the club and the development of football in Wicklow and Ireland long after our collective lifetimes."
The statement concluded by saying ideally the club would like to quote Conor McGregor to counteract any criticism of the plan but instead said that "those afraid and living [in] fear, rest assured fear has no place in Bray Wanderers".
In a statement released later in the day, Wicklow County Council said they'd had no discussions with Bray in relation to redeveloping the Carlisle Grounds.
It read: "Wicklow County Council is surprised by the statement issued on behalf of Bray Wanderers today (Thursday).
"As landlord of the Carlisle Grounds, Wicklow County Council has not been approached or had any discussion with Bray Wanderers with regard to the redevelopment of the Carlisle Grounds.
"The Carlisle Grounds are zoned recreational and it is a function of the elected members of Wicklow County Council to amend zoning.
"A representative of the Football Club requested to attend the monthly meeting of Bray Municipal District and did so in January of this year. Their five-year Strategic Plan was presented to councillors at that meeting.
"There have been no further discussions on the future of the club with Wicklow County Council.
"Wicklow County Council would reject any suggestion that the county is anything other than an excellent place to do business and where enterprise is welcomed and encouraged."
