Keith Gillespie signed for LTFC

[Longfordian]

As the title says. Didn't see that one coming. He's well past his best but sounds like we may have his wages sponsored. Press conference next Thursday. "Unveiled" against Athlone. Should be good for local interest anyhow

http://www.ltfc.ie

[Rocky77]

Goodness...

[Longfordian]

Good to get people interested in the club again if nothing else. We don't have any money so he can't be costing the club much.

[Rocky77]

Haven't seen him for a number of years but at 36 he has to be good enough for the First Division. Famous last words...?

[atfconline]

Good to get people interested in the club again if nothing else. We don't have any money so he can't be costing the club much.

Are you new to LOI Longfordian!? :P

[outspoken]

Talk about a birthday present this is fantastic!

[howsyourtouch]

he brings a lot of experience to a very young team, id say he will play in the middle, not many people in this league would get the ball off him being honest, it will drum up interest and hopefully work out for the best!

its a bit lakes though at the same time!

[Macy]

i wouldn't have bet on this...

[Longfordian]

Are you new to LOI Longfordian!? :P

Ha yeah I thought the same as I was typing those words. I know the folks in charge though, they've learned their lessons. From what I can tell our associate sponsor will have covered most of this.

[Cabs88]

not sure what to make of this one, but hopefully its a success for all concerned.
I would hope that he only plays on merit and his name wont go before him.
He has been a journeyman of late so we'll see if he lasts a season.
"Unveiling" a player?! Yes he was a successful footballer, but is this a good idea for team morale? A marketing tool yes, but whether you put that before morale in the camp?

Hopefully i'll be proved all wrong!

[Longfordian]

Valid concerns cabs in fairness but I'm sure the manager was consulted beforehand and is happy it won't affect things too much. It'll be his job to use him as he sees fit. To be honest with his ability if he's any way fit there'll definitely be a role for him in the team either from the start or as sub. He played a good few games for Glentoran when he was there.

[osarusan]

i wouldn't have bet on this...

It's quite a gamble alright.

[Macy]

Yes he was a successful footballer, but is this a good idea for team morale? A marketing tool yes, but whether you put that before morale in the camp?
I would've thought that the players we have would be delighted to play with a player of his quality, assuming his attitude is right.

Gillespie was one of my favourite up and coming players at United - I was gutted when he was part of the Cole deal. Can't say I expected to see him playing again for a team I support.

[Acornvilla]

Town better do their damdest to publicize the crap out of this because you know a load of extra people will pop into flancare to see him if its advertised

[Longfordian]

Well it's already attracting national media attention and with him doing interviews next Thursday I'm sure there'll be stories in the paper before the Athlone game and no doubt The Leader and Shannonside will be all over it too.

[Acornvilla]

Hurray and well done to all involved so

[stann]

i wouldn't have bet on this...

It's quite a gamble alright.

.........
Yiz are wasted here the both of ye! :D

Could be a very canny move though, in terms of boosting the numbers, hope it works well for ye (though not against us like... :p)

[Tallanted]

Why all the shock? Every player wants to play in the famous ltfc red and black shirt in the flansiro!

[RiffRaff]

My mate is a Glentoran fan and said he did nothing there except stand in the middle of the park dis-interested. I think they cancelled his contract. I hope he's not being guaranteed a starting place.

[sparkey]

From a publicity point of view its a great signing for the club. If publicised correctly (i.e. Former Man Utd player playing for DeTown) should add to the gates for a few weeks.
But from a football point of view he was released by English Conference side Darlington in December after just three games, and glentoran before that, so is he really going to be interested in shaking a leg in the Airtricity First Division. I really hope so, but ........

[Longfordian]

It just depends on the financial commitments. It can't be costing the club much or , I genuinely think, they wouldn't sign him and, you'd hope, the FAI wouldn't allow them break the budget. We'll see, and it's got everyone talking already. I'm not expecting on field miracles but he could play a part. It's most definitely an unexpected one though!

[Magicme]

I thought it was a joke when first saw it. Fair play. Jason McAteer is signing for us next week though so that thunder belonging to you will be stolen.

[Pauro 76]

Chant....

When the ball hits the net
It's a very sure bet
it's Gillespie....

[Acornvilla]

Ah if hes half bothered he should do well in the 1st division, its not like hes playing against superstars

[Macy]

I thought it was a joke when first saw it. Fair play. Jason McAteer is signing for us next week though so that thunder belonging to you will be stolen.
You can bet (ha) your bottom dollar that the Shodster will try and outdo this, so I wouldn't be surprised by anything. Carlton Palmer just won't cut the mustard.

[pineapple stu]

Is he likely to be ready for Monday's game?

[Tallanted]

Unveiled Thursday and debut v Athlone

[Martinho II]

I am stunned with the signing. A big well done to Phil Munnelly and Tony Cousins for keepin it quiet!Phil is best friends with Keith.. Keith will be commutin from Bangor down to games..When he was with Glentoran his wages were sponsored too I think the wages up north for him was a grand a week I am sure the Glentoran fans that post on here will confirm it to us!

[Town Legend]

That signing came way out from left field!!! So is Gillespie the mysterious Congo player we were looking at?!! Is he just going to commute for games or will he also be training with the Town......be very surprised if he's not. It wouldn't bode well for morale if he's allowed train on his own and just show for games. Some change for him from playing in the likes of Old Trafford and St. James' Park to playing in Drom and Fahy's Field!!!

[Longfordian]

Mick Lee trains in Galway in fairness, though I know he has college to contend with. It's up to the manager, if he's happy enough then that's ok.

[Salmon Coloured]

Couldnt believe this when i heard it last night. It will boil to one thing & thats if the lads heart is in it or not. We will find out very early on about this. I wish him well here. Hes at the end of his career so i hope he has decided to try & enjoy it & to hell with what anyone thinks.

[Rocky77]

I can't remember this level of excitement since we signed Gints Freimanis. Ahem....

[Tallanted]

Lookin like he is in squad tonight and gets a start on monday

[Acornvilla]

Lookin like he is in squad tonight and gets a start on monday
so can he play tonight if needed?

[Tallanted]

I presume thats what cousins meant, said in todays paper he is in squad tonight and starts on monday

[Town Legend]

Mick Lee trains in Galway in fairness, though I know he has college to contend with. It's up to the manager, if he's happy enough then that's ok.


Didn't know that about Mick Lee.....ah well if thats the case at least people can't be saying just cos of his name he's let off training with the team.

Exciting stuff...be delighted if he's playing Monday as I'm missing the game against Athlone! Was a bit weird seeing Longford Town with a signing in the national paper....been a long time since I seen that!

[Longfordian]

Friend of mine who's a UK based journalist has been commissioned to do an article on the Town and the Gillespie signing for When Saturday Comes magazine. People are very interested in this one, even if it is a sort of "how the mighty have fallen" type curiosity.

[Town Legend]

Friend of mine who's a UK based journalist has been commissioned to do an article on the Town and the Gillespie signing for When Saturday Comes magazine. People are very interested in this one, even if it is a sort of "how the mighty have fallen" type curiosity.

Is that Gillespie or de Town??!!!! :D

[Tallanted]

Hes not on bench tonight so home unveiling it is

[Longfordian]

Is that Gillespie or de Town??!!!! :D

Ha, not sure the UK media took notice of our rise in the first place!

[outspoken]

So is Gillespie the mysterious Congo player we were looking at?!!

Haha was thinking the same myself :)

[Pauro 76]

He hates Paddy Power.
He hates Ladbrokes too. (and Boyles!)
He hates all gambling
But Gillespie we love youuuuuu.

[prince20]

Ha, not sure the UK media took notice of our rise in the first place!

When did this happen???

[outspoken]

Is he just going to commute for games or will he also be training with the Town......be very surprised if he's not.

Was just chatting to Mic Lee there he told me that Keith is training with them for the 1st time tomorrow, there all eager to meet him and see what shape hes in

[Longfordian]

We won a few trophies in 2003 and 2004 and were generally in the top 5 teams in the country for a few years. It was quite a rise compared to Athlone's performance for that period ;) (even if we have fallen somewhat since!)

[outspoken]

UCD lads seem to think Gillespie will make his debut on Monday night I'm not so sure

[L.T.F.C.]

That is why they're called UCD lads.

[Martinho II]

Friend of mine who's a UK based journalist has been commissioned to do an article on the Town and the Gillespie signing for When Saturday Comes magazine. People are very interested in this one, even if it is a sort of "how the mighty have fallen" type curiosity.

any chance longfordian of posting this again when this article appears in when saturday comes so I can buy it please?

[Magicme]

I bumped into Alvin last night and said "so what about Keith Gillespie?" and he replied "I'm a bigger name than him!" :D Alvin.....legend.

[Longfordian]

any chance longfordian of posting this again when this article appears in when saturday comes so I can buy it please?

Yeah I think it may be for their website, not sure if it'll appear in the magazine but I'll put a link on here if and when it appears anyhow.