CHAMPIONS Dundalk are threatening to leave Oriel Park unless they can gain ownership of the ground to begin some redevelopment.

The Lilywhites board believe that revamping the old Oriel is crucial for the club if they are to build on their recent on-field successes.

They were limited to a capacity of just 3,000 by Uefa for last Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier home leg with BATE Borisov.

And Sunday’s 2,600 attendance for the top-of-the-table clash with Cork City was their smallest of the season as fans stayed away in the wet weather — just 2,000 seats in Oriel are currently covered.

The club’s preference is to remain at Oriel Park, their home since 1936, though the lease is still in the hands of former owner Gerry Matthews. The ground itself is held in trust by the Casey family.

Dundalk cannot apply for Government support to redevelop unless they are the lease-holders, while they are reluctant to take on major work themselves unless they own the ground.

But they have spent close to €150,000 in the last 18 months keeping it up to scratch and have declared enough is enough — either they get the ground or they move out.

If forced to leave Oriel, it is likely they will move to Dundalk Institute of Technology.