Kildare County. Not an A-League Club.

[Philly]

I may be a KCFC fan, sure. But hear me out on this one. I went to our first match ever, V. Limerick in the 1st Division Cup. We won that game 2-0, and it had me hooked on LOI football. I have not missed a game since, other than for work reasons.

KCFC belong in the League of Ireland. I don't say that with any arrogance, but rather because I have seen this club being formed from the bottom up and I have done my part in helping it to survive despite the odds. KCFC was thrown into the deep end in this league. It was expected to strive in a league environment where survival was the aim of even the best of clubs.

Sure, we lost to Mervue fairly and squarely. However, I still think we have something to offer to the LOI. Just last season we got two new stands, adding 700 seats to our ground. Last season, the club decided to invest in our youth structure and infrastructure, in the hope that i a few years time that would stand us good stead.

Today, we stand on the brink of competing with Bohemians B etc. Despite that, today, at a friendly today V Wexford I saw something no B team could illustrate. A team with passion and commitment. Our captain (Daithi O'Connell)was ambulanced away with a severe injury. Who know's if he will play again. However, he was a local player, and a class act who was given an opportunity to shine by the fact we have LOI soccer in Kildare. People say we have nothing but a bunch of Dubs or whatever, but really, we are a Kildare team and our foundation lies with Kildare soccer. Today, 20 odd players lined out with us, all dedicated despite the fact they hadn't a cent to earn no matter what league we end up in. Compare that to Sporting Fingal, spending stupid money on journey-men players like Zayed who follow the mullah and leave when it's gone. Sure, Fingal would beat us any day. However, it's ironic that when KCFC became a realistic club with sustainable resources, we got trashed week-in week-out.

Tomorrow night/Monday we will find out if we have earned a place in the LOI or not. Personally, I think our club is a testament to the LOI. An example of the good and bad sides of the League. As a fan, my view is obviously blurred.

What do you think? Is KCFC worthy of a LOI place? Do we add anything?

[Trainee]

no club should be league of ireland if they dont have a min of 500 fans at each game

[Philly]

Goodbye to a lot of clubs then?

[Trainee]

Goodbye to a lot of clubs then?

Im afaid so there are tough times ahead and soccer clubs will bear the front of it, so a lot of the smaller clubs may not surive.


scary to think westport utd sold over 1,000 season tickts at €70
and they still the costs of running an league of ireland team is too high, and wont even consider entering A league

[SMorgan]

I have a lot of sympathy for Kildare and I doubt if the LOI has been enriched in anyway by having Mervue replace them. I wish them a speedy return.

[brianw82]

Kildare might end up the the league after all, if Cobh don't get their license.

I went to Station Road last year out of curiosity to (a) see a Kildare Home game and (b) see this new-fangled Sporting Fingal outfit. I'd say there were 200-250 there, at most.

The original poster mentions that this is a real 'Kildare' team, but I can't help but think that it must suffer by Newbridge being a commuter town. Any Dubs that have moved there would be more likely, surely, to support a Dublin LOI club already.

Good to hear, though, that they've got a youth setup going. That can only be a good thing.

[Bunny Kelly]

Not too different to Kilkenny really, a nice tidy set up but if the money is not invested on the field people will not come & the club will ultimately die.

Not a romantic view but people want success so Fingal would have a better attendence this year than Kildare if both were in the same division.

[Inside Man]

Always had a soft spot for Kildare County for some reason. Would like to see them in the league because i don't think Mervue are adding anything. And as for that post about Westport selling 1,000 season tickets! I'm sure that is subscription to the club and most families in the area would sign up. Much like a GAA club who get subscritions to membership every year, even though alot of people wouldn't go near the place for a match they pay the membership as it is part of their local community. To say they'd have 1,000 people at every match is hilarious, its there membership fee dressed up at season tickets.:rolleyes:
Anyway I hope Kildare can get back in but i wont be losing any sleep over it if they don't;)

[Beezer]

might be light at the end of the tunnel yet for Kildare.Word from Cobh is "A LEAGUE" next year!
Hope the injury to your captain is not too serious.

[Fr Damo]

Westport lost to St Peters in the FAi cup two weeks ago, though the fixture was moved to Castlebar (12 miles away) due to Wesports ground being un playable, attendance was about 200 inc 50 from St Peters. It wa a fiver in so somebody should be able to quickly confirm the attendance.

I agree with the the notion about 500 people being required at games to make the clubs viable in the LOI.

[ndrog]

I understand where Philly is coming from and it is a pity that a provincial club who are doing things right off the pitch despite a lack of decent support are not taking part and a francise from dubland are.

And the theroy that any club with attendances under 500 is ridicolous. Where's the point in that like. You sdhouldn't exclude clubs with poor support you should work with them to increase the suport and forge links with their community


Its been tried and tried . i.e ucd .

[dublinwanderer]

Kildare were rubbish last year, finished bottom, lost play off and are relagated. What more can you say?

But I am expecting some surpise with the licensing, some club wont get a license, and you will prob get away with it!

[gufc2000]

I may be a KCFC fan, sure. But hear me out on this one. I went to our first match ever, V. Limerick in the 1st Division Cup. We won that game 2-0, and it had me hooked on LOI football. I have not missed a game since, other than for work reasons.

KCFC belong in the League of Ireland. I don't say that with any arrogance, but rather because I have seen this club being formed from the bottom up and I have done my part in helping it to survive despite the odds. KCFC was thrown into the deep end in this league. It was expected to strive in a league environment where survival was the aim of even the best of clubs.

Sure, we lost to Mervue fairly and squarely. However, I still think we have something to offer to the LOI. Just last season we got two new stands, adding 700 seats to our ground. Last season, the club decided to invest in our youth structure and infrastructure, in the hope that i a few years time that would stand us good stead.

Today, we stand on the brink of competing with Bohemians B etc. Despite that, today, at a friendly today V Wexford I saw something no B team could illustrate. A team with passion and commitment. Our captain (Daithi O'Connell)was ambulanced away with a severe injury. Who know's if he will play again. However, he was a local player, and a class act who was given an opportunity to shine by the fact we have LOI soccer in Kildare. People say we have nothing but a bunch of Dubs or whatever, but really, we are a Kildare team and our foundation lies with Kildare soccer. Today, 20 odd players lined out with us, all dedicated despite the fact they hadn't a cent to earn no matter what league we end up in. Compare that to Sporting Fingal, spending stupid money on journey-men players like Zayed who follow the mullah and leave when it's gone. Sure, Fingal would beat us any day. However, it's ironic that when KCFC became a realistic club with sustainable resources, we got trashed week-in week-out.

Tomorrow night/Monday we will find out if we have earned a place in the LOI or not. Personally, I think our club is a testament to the LOI. An example of the good and bad sides of the League. As a fan, my view is obviously blurred.

What do you think? Is KCFC worthy of a LOI place? Do we add anything?

Fair play to ya Philly. I think yes, Kildare should be a league club. I'm fed up with rumours and people saying that Kildare,Monaghan, Mervue have nothing to offer to the LOI. Sure Mervue are going to struggle, there will probably be days where crowds mighn't make 100. Its frightening but what Mervue and other clubs like them offer is players the chance to play LOI football.

Philly, keep up what ye are doing in up there. Yereselves and Monaghan have invested in infrastructute and youth set-ups. The effects of Monaghan's work in that sector is starting to show after reorganising themselves for the last few years. They are now genuine promotion contenders.

[micls]

According to a well connected Ramblers fan on our forum they have gotten official word that they are in the A league

[WoodquayBoy]

I find it hard to agree with the sentiment that Kildare are a 'provincial' club and the league is worse without them. No offence, but Newbridge is no more than a commuter town of Dublin, and in effect it is another Dublin club.
As for questioning what Mervue bring to the league, they offer local youngsters the chance to play LOI, not washed-up has-beens. Of their current squad, only Goldbey, Keogh and Curran have played LOI before, the vast majority of the rest are local (Mervue) lads so that is what they offer, another outlet to young players in Galway, and to a wider extent the West of Ireland, to play at the highest level in the country

[gspain]

Word is you'll probably survive.

I think I've only missed 1 Limerick game there and generally the crowds have been poor. Lovely setup and I hope you do but Newbridge and Kildare in general strikes me as very much a GAA stronghold.

Great attendances in your first season but the interest appeared to wane.

[brianw82]

The title of this thread is actually quite appropriate. :)

[The Lep]

[quote=WoodquayBoy;1105552]I find it hard to agree with the sentiment that Kildare are a 'provincial' club and the league is worse without them. No offence, but Newbridge is no more than a commuter town of Dublin, and in effect it is another Dublin club.


No their not and its a silly comment to make :D

[ShnaeGuevara715]

Yeah thats a pretty stupid comment to make.

At the start, years ago, when there were no LoI standard players in the area there were some journeymen plugging the holes sure. Recent years though they've been working specifically to become a proper local team, with local players, facilities, staff, owners and players. That'll become very obvious this season

[dapman1]

[QUOTE=WoodquayBoy;1105552"]I find it hard to agree with the sentiment that Kildare are a 'provincial' club and the league is worse without them. No offence, but Newbridge is no more than a commuter town of Dublin, and in effect it is another Dublin club"

So by your reasoning any town thats within 30 miles of Dublin is only a place for Dubs to sleep? And that we should all just give up our county identity because of this? Man, there are some real muppets out there...

[WoodquayBoy]

[quote=WoodquayBoy;1105552"]So by your reasoning any town thats within 30 miles of Dublin is only a place for Dubs to sleep? ...

Not any town, but I have friends in Kilcullen and Newbridge who work in Dublin, as do most of their neighbours. You should takwe a trip down the old N6 some time, the dormer towns stretch as far as Kilbeggan, which is a hell of a lot longer than 30 miles to Dublin


And that we should all just give up our county identity because of this?
No, not at all, never suggested that


Man, there are some real muppets out there

Compare that to Sporting Fingal, spending stupid money on journey-men players like Zayed who follow the mullah and leave when it's gone
Just like your friend in his first post. Fingal has a massive population, but because they have money, and are spending it on players, you feel they have no right to be in the League? Manah manah, du du du-du-du, manah manah, du du du-du

[dapman1]

I dont really care about Fingal, good luck to them I say. I can remember being in Galway when we beat them 5:2 during the last game of the season a few years back and there wasnt even 200 at the game, let alone the magical 500. You seem to have forgotten your recent history. As far as the rest of your note is concerned; should the rest of Leinster now stop pretending that it has its own identity, as its all just part of Dublin? So, when the motroway is finally opened all the way to Galway, and people start to commute (and they will) to Dublin, are you going to shut up shop and start supporting Fingal, or Shels etc, or are you going to keep supporting your local side?

[corkboy360]

Looking forward to out game Friday provided i can walk.:D

[jinxy lilywhite]

I must admit I'm happy to see Kildare back in the LOI. I have great memories from that night but I'm dissappointed that Cobh are the ones now that have gone.
Kildare fans: What is the problem with your attendences? Personally i thought that when you came into the league it would only take a couple of season before you got into the premier. Is it the location of the club or the name of the club? ie could kildare county attract more if they where based in say Naas, Kildare town or maynooth for example or is it the fact that kildare county sounds like a gaa side and could you consider to call yourselves newbridge rather than the name you already have.

[WoodquayBoy]

I dont really care about Fingal, good luck to them I say. I can remember being in Galway when we beat them 5:2 during the last game of the season a few years back and there wasnt even 200 at the game, let alone the magical 500. You seem to have forgotten your recent history. As far as the rest of your note is concerned; should the rest of Leinster now stop pretending that it has its own identity, as its all just part of Dublin? So, when the motroway is finally opened all the way to Galway, and people start to commute (and they will) to Dublin, are you going to shut up shop and start supporting Fingal, or Shels etc, or are you going to keep supporting your local side?

What makes you think I have forgotten our recent history, are you reading between the lines for something that isn't there? Look at your own history, ye didn't exactly follow the Lisbon Lions geographical template.
And seen as you mentioned crowds, how many attended the most important game of your stint in the league, the second leg of the play-off with Mervue, when your future in the League was at stake??
Well done to your club for getting bumped back into the league, my initial point was simply that this 'provincial' tag was, in my opinion, unjustified

[Dundalkjames]

I like the way that Kildare bring through youth players but attendances are poor.
Look Kildare lost the relegation playoff and should be in the A-league whats the point in having a relegation playoff if the team loses stay in the first division

[dapman1]

I like the way that Kildare bring through youth players but attendances are poor.
Look Kildare lost the relegation playoff and should be in the A-league whats the point in having a relegation playoff if the team loses stay in the first division

I really dont see what that has to do with Kildare? We applied for a licence and we achieved one. If the other teams in the league had all managed to attain one, then we would be in the A championship, which is what we have been getting ready for. But they didnt, so we are back. End of story.

In terms of attendance, well I guess its a chicken and egg thing isnt it? You will get more fans with a better team/ you will be able to afford a better team with more fans. Every team at the bottom of the first division is in the same predicament i.e: a big drop off in support depending on where you sit between 1st place and 12th place.

Last season was a real sickner for all the long term supporters of KCFC, and the malaise on the pitch affected those working off the pitch, so I think that the wind was taken out of everybodies sails, very early on.

What we do have is a very friendly and welcoming club, that is striving to develop local talent and decent facilities to make league of Ireland football a long term reality in this area (no different to any other club). We have noticed an increase in the numbers of younger supporters attending week in week out, and the numbers that are signed up to the supporters club is increasing. This is a long term project, so nothing is going to happen over night. Our main strategy over the past few years has been the stabilisation of our finances, and the development of local talent. We have achieved huge steps forward in the first area, hopefully we will start to see the results of our efforts in the second, which should mean the return of the more fickle elements of our support.

[Longfordian]

Well technically you've achieved a conditional licence. You still have to pay last season's players.

[bananarepublic]

When Kildare county started they were getting 500-600 at games. Novelty factor wore off combined with the standard of football and mistakes made by the club reduced the averages down to around the 200 mark.

The past is the past. Having watched this club since its birth and seeing mistakes made on and off the pitch I think the club is now choosing the most sensible strategy going forward and it will reap dividends in the years ahead.

Changing names or locations wont fix anything. Station road is an ideal venue in the biggest sporting town in the county beside a train station and the M7. Its put on a plate for the people in Kildare to get up off their arses and support the team.

Better marketing of a better product combined with sensible management will ensure the survival of the club. KCFC got their license fair and square. Others didnt. Thats not Kildare's fault. As for being a commuter town of Dublin..what a load of rubbish. Newbridge was around long before the dubs moved out with a long tradition in leinster senior soccer with Newbridge Town FC. Its nothing at all to do with dublin or commuters FFS.

This arguement about attendances should be ditched. Its not the 70's anymore. Division 1 will always be 100 to 500 bar your long established teams.

[jinxy lilywhite]

When Kildare county started they were getting 500-600 at games. Novelty factor wore off combined with the standard of football and mistakes made by the club reduced the averages down to around the 200 mark.

The past is the past. Having watched this club since its birth and seeing mistakes made on and off the pitch I think the club is now choosing the most sensible strategy going forward and it will reap dividends in the years ahead.

Changing names or locations wont fix anything. Station road is an ideal venue in the biggest sporting town in the county beside a train station and the M7. Its put on a plate for the people in Kildare to get up off their arses and support the team.

Better marketing of a better product combined with sensible management will ensure the survival of the club. KCFC got their license fair and square. Others didnt. Thats not Kildare's fault. As for being a commuter town of Dublin..what a load of rubbish. Newbridge was around long before the dubs moved out with a long tradition in leinster senior soccer with Newbridge Town FC. Its nothing at all to do with dublin or commuters FFS.

This arguement about attendances should be ditched. Its not the 70's anymore. Division 1 will always be 100 to 500 bar your long established teams.

just a quick question how many would Newbridge town get at a game?

[The Lep]

[quote=WoodquayBoy;1107668][quote=dapman1;1107618]

Not any town, but I have friends in Kilcullen and Newbridge who work in Dublin, as do most of their neighbours. You should takwe a trip down the old N6 some time, the dormer towns stretch as far as Kilbeggan, which is a hell of a lot longer than 30 miles to Dublin


What next? Will you claiming that Tullamore Town is another Dublin club?

[The Lep]

I dont really care about Fingal, good luck to them I say. I can remember being in Galway when we beat them 5:2 during the last game of the season a few years back and there wasnt even 200 at the game, let alone the magical 500. You seem to have forgotten your recent history. As far as the rest of your note is concerned; should the rest of Leinster now stop pretending that it has its own identity, as its all just part of Dublin? So, when the motroway is finally opened all the way to Galway, and people start to commute (and they will) to Dublin, are you going to shut up shop and start supporting Fingal, or Shels etc, or are you going to keep supporting your local side?

Who did you beat 5:2 a few years ago?

[WoodquayBoy]

[quote=WoodquayBoy;1107668][quote=dapman1;1107618]

What next? Will you claiming that Tullamore Town is another Dublin club?
Yup. And Monaghan, Drogheda and Bray. Dubs out I say, time to form a breakaway league along the western seaboard.

[bananarepublic]

just a quick question how many would Newbridge town get at a game?

Very few nowadays. I'm not using NTFC as an arguement for support and crowds but merely that there is a soccer tradition in the town so it was a logical choice to put Kildare County there.

Newbridge Town v. Newbridge Rangers used to attract huge crowds years ago but thats not today or yesterday. You had Newbridge Rovers and St. Conleths as well long before "the dubs" arrived and all would have been playing in the upper reaches of their various leagues which would have been LSL and Counties (Leinster).

[corkboy360]

Ye bringing down much Friday night ?
First time playing us at the cross if im right ? or first time playing us ever?

[dapman1]

Well technically you've achieved a conditional licence. You still have to pay last season's players.

Funny that, one club gets a a conditional licence dependent on the players being paid their arrears (this happened during the summer and was sorted soon after, we just need to show that) and one club goes for 3 months without paying theirs at all and nothig said:confused:

[dapman1]

Who did you beat 5:2 a few years ago?

Galway, last game of 2004, missed out on promotion by one place, 3 went up that year. Long long time ago...

[John83]

...journey-men players like Zayed who follow the mullah...
Zayed's a Muslim?

[GalwayRed]

Well im glad Kildare are back, shame about Cobh but i enjoyed my trips to Station Road so ill be looking forward to those this year. Might have another team celebrating promotion at station road on the last day of the season;)

[holidaysong]

Well im glad Kildare are back, shame about Cobh but i enjoyed my trips to Station Road so ill be looking forward to those this year. Might have another team celebrating promotion at station road on the last day of the season;)

Kildare for promotion?! :eek::p

[El-Pietro]

When Kildare county started they were getting 500-600 at games. Novelty factor wore off combined with the standard of football and mistakes made by the club reduced the averages down to around the 200 mark.

The past is the past. Having watched this club since its birth and seeing mistakes made on and off the pitch I think the club is now choosing the most sensible strategy going forward and it will reap dividends in the years ahead.

Changing names or locations wont fix anything. Station road is an ideal venue in the biggest sporting town in the county beside a train station and the M7. Its put on a plate for the people in Kildare to get up off their arses and support the team.

Better marketing of a better product combined with sensible management will ensure the survival of the club. KCFC got their license fair and square. Others didnt. Thats not Kildare's fault. As for being a commuter town of Dublin..what a load of rubbish. Newbridge was around long before the dubs moved out with a long tradition in leinster senior soccer with Newbridge Town FC. Its nothing at all to do with dublin or commuters FFS.

This arguement about attendances should be ditched. Its not the 70's anymore. Division 1 will always be 100 to 500 bar your long established teams.
i know a few people living near Newbridge who are from dublin, who work in dublin and support St. Pats
some of them are involved with local football clubs but they wont support Kildare, they wish them well

[osarusan]

Zayed's a Muslim?Zayed el malaki el kaboom el kablam. He's Shiite.

[John83]

Zayed el malaki el kaboom el kablam. He's Shiite.
Given the name, I assume you're just taking the ****, but given he's of Libyan descent, he's most likely Sunni if he's Muslim.

I maintain that the misspelling of moolah is funny, damn it! :o;)

[Kildare Lad]

i know a few people living near Newbridge who are from dublin, who work in dublin and support St. Pats
some of them are involved with local football clubs but they wont support Kildare, they wish them well

Yeah seems to be the attitude around the place, "I woudnt be bothered going but i look out for them in the paper" kinda thing. Or amongst the younger people (In newbridge anyway)they all have the same opinion," Kildare County sure they're **** why would i see them?"

So hard to get fans going.

[dapman1]

Kildare for promotion?! :eek::p


Wow!! thats now two of us who believe....:)

[corkboy360]

Wow!! thats now two of us who believe....:)
If i am right when Cobh got promoted their attendances dropped maybe someone could clarify this?

[sadloserkid]

Division 1 will always be 100 to 500 bar your long established teams.

While wishing Kildare all the best that is just nonsense. Monaghan, Kilkenny and Kildare are the only clubs to have been getting consistently terrible attendances for the last few years. I don't think it's a reason to just shove them out of the league but let's not tar all the clubs with the one brush either.