Galway United CEO Nick Leeson.

Galway United Chief Executive Nick Leeson insists the club will have much greater ambition going into next season's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division.

United finished in a creditable eight position in the club's first season back among the big boys and Leeson was full of praise for the part played by the club's supporters.

But he also knows that in order to satisfy their appetite for success, the club will need to build on their finances. Leeson insists that United are capable of much more next year.

"The simple truth is we must set our sights higher and start aiming towards the top of the Premier Division. The people of Galway, both city and county, deserve a team that is playing at the highest level of football in Ireland."

He admits the club's primary target last season was avoiding the drop, an ambition achieved with four points to spare. "Our target, unashamedly, in 2007 was survival. But now we have turned our attention very quickly to next season and we want to continue the club's progression both on and off the pitch."

With three clubs set to be relegated from the Premier League in 2008, the pressure to survive will be greater than ever but Leeson is adamant that Galway should have nothing to fear. "It is our intention that Galway United not only be one of the ten teams in the new-look Premier Division in 2009 but we want to challenge for a top four finish next season."

He said a key to this success was continuing to increase the club's revenue. The club's turnover has increased from €500,000 in 2005 to almost €1.2 million in 2007.

However, he believes the club needs to swell its coffers by another €300,000 in 2008 to compete at the highest level. In 2008 it will cost €30,000 a week to run Galway United.

This will mean increasing ticket prices for the new season, but Leeson is confident the club's supporters will back the move.

"The fans have been great in our first successful season back in the Premier and I'd like to thank all of them for their backing. We are very aware that the supporters' help is crucial to us continuing our success. Supporters are the very heartbeat of this football club and that is why I am asking them to stand beside us to help take this club to a new level."

With the redeveloped Corribside Stand now open, Leeson believes a Galway United season ticket still represents excellent value. "Terryland Park is now an attractive, comfortable offering and by purchasing a season ticket before Christmas, supporters can guarantee access to the new stand."

With increased revenue in place, Leeson is confident that the future of the club is bright. "Whilst we will not be able to compete with the purchasing power of the larger clubs in Ireland in the short term, we do believe that we have a business model that will ultimately see Galway United prosper in the medium to long term."

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