Markets Field Renovations??

[Lim till i die]

Dont mind the capacity its an issue but not the main one.

Look at the plans just look at them!!

It boggles the mind that you could build a new build thats only a category 2, that has just over a thousand covered seats for home fans (and by the looks of things those of you in the first five rows will get wet), thats inferior to Tallaght, Terryland and Turners Cross.

Uncovered five step terracing?? Its like something a local gaa club would get built.

Small time with a capital small.

Someone summed it up earlier today, when its finished itll be the fourth best ground in munster to watch football in.

[nigel-harps1954]

I do agree, the plans looks very, very amateur. I'd be absolutely p!ssed off too if Harps plans suddenly changed to something like that, after such fantastic initial plans.

They reek of GAA club mentality, and shows a huge lack of ambition from the LEDP.

If you're going to build a stadium, do it properly. Two stands either side of the field, both of 1,500 capacity should be ambition.
At very least, keep the existing 900 seat plan for the stand in place with a 1,500 stand on the other side of the field. Terracing either side of the current grandstand is the final piece of the jigsaw. No need for anything else. Complicating things and sticking in stupid small stands will look awful.

[NeverFeltBetter]

That's sort of it. The mentality the plans demonstrate. It could be a lot better, and not just for Limerick FC (if primarily).

And I don't mean 8'000 seater of course, just something that you could put on a par with Turners Cross or some of the stadiums in Dublin. I think Limerick City deserves an association football ground that stands out.

[Charlie Darwin]

Isn't it up to Limerick FC to convince LEDP not to downgrade the plans?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Few others will be doing it. I hope that the people at the top level of the club will try some convincing, though they can't do that publicly of course. If the LEDP want to maybe outline in some fashion why the plans have been downgraded exactly, what budgetary constraints they are choosing to operate under, I think it would be helpful.

There is, of course, an element of respect needed for all of this, considering the circumstances of how Limerick FC are getting this ground, but that doesn't mean criticism of the plans should be curtailed if they are valid.

[Lim till i die]

Its up to Limerick FC to teach Keith Wood basic common sense??

Im not being defensive there Im just genuinely baffled. Like how do you even go about trying to reason with anyone who puts that plan together in the year 2013 and thinks "that'll do the finest".

The club wrote a letter of support according to the ceo in tonights Leader. :bulgy:

There better be a bigger picture none of us are seeing!!

[Charlie Darwin]

I haven't read the application to be honest - I couldn't get it to work but I'll take your word it's a joke. My point is what NeverFeltBetter said - nobody else is going to convince LEDP, so it's Lims or nobody.

Am I not right in saying that LEDP's budget was decided by the donation made by JP McManus, in which case the only reason for downsizing is that they hadn't done their sums correctly to begin with?

[Lim till i die]

I hope that the If the LEDP want to maybe outline in some fashion why the plans have been downgraded exactly, what budgetary constraints they are choosing to operate under, I think it would be helpful.

I dont get this side of it either.

If the issue is the budget forget the two 300 seats stands and stepping the rest of the ground just slap up an Athlone Town stand on the popular side and tidy the place!!

Common sense surely??

Plan just looks like a masive brainfart

[NeverFeltBetter]

The club wrote a letter of support according to the ceo in tonights Leader. :bulgy:


Well balls.

[Pablo]

Will this actually be ready for Kick Off?

[NeverFeltBetter]

I doubt it, maybe mid-season.

[bluewhitearmy]

There is no indication whatsoever when it will even start let alone finish.

[kingpin4]

I haven't seen the new plans because the links wouldn't work for me... Can anyone give a quick summary?
It will be disappointing if it is as bad as people are saying, but is it possible that its being done in phases or is it just going to be the one development and that's that, no more room for expansion?
I've been to Turners Cross hundreds of times, and while it has its own problems, there's usually a fairly decent atmosphere and it's comfortable enough to watch a game too.

[fieldofmarkets]

Similar to what ltid said, don't waste money and effort on mini terraces and stands. They'll be in the way later anyway if there is any success and proper facilities need to be built.

[NeverFeltBetter]

http://www.ledp.ie/featured/opportunity-for-local-people-to-views-ledp-planning-application-drawings-for-markets-field-on-november-20th/

If anyone is interested, not sure how much of a Q&A this would be, especially to those outside the immediate area.

[redron]

Here's the link to the Planning Application:
http://www.limerickcity.ie/ePlan/FileRefDetails.aspx?file_number=13141&LASiteID=0

Looks like the large drawings aren't scanned properly though!

The link to the plugin on the Council website leads to a non-existent page.
Here's a link to some DjVu plugins and viewers, if you want to view the files:
http://djvu.org/resources/
I used the first one.

Someone should probably tell them in the planning office that the large drawings aren't scanned properly!

[redron]

http://www.ledp.ie/featured/opportunity-for-local-people-to-views-ledp-planning-application-drawings-for-markets-field-on-november-20th/

If anyone is interested, not sure how much of a Q&A this would be, especially to those outside the immediate area.

The description of the event suggests to me that it's not actually a public meeting, where a presentation is made to an assembly with a questions and answers session. Rather, it seems to be that you will be able to view the drawings on display and then questions can be put on a one-to-one basis.

[redron]

The description of the event suggests to me that it's not actually a public meeting, where a presentation is made to an assembly with a questions and answers session. Rather, it seems to be that you will be able to view the drawings on display and then questions can be put on a one-to-one basis.

Just to say, thankfully my fears were baseless and there was a group discussion at the meeting.
But I'm no happier about the plans than I was beforehand. There were no major objections raised by any of the local residents present.

[gael353]

Hi lads the supporters club will meet on Monday coming in the rooms overhead the still house on Thomas st at 8pm. All are invited for a chat, and to view the plans for the markets field. General discussion and so on. All welcome

[redron]

The link to the plugin on the Council website leads to a non-existent page.
Here's a link to some DjVu plugins and viewers, if you want to view the files:
http://djvu.org/resources/
I used the first one.

Someone should probably tell them in the planning office that the large drawings aren't scanned properly!

The large drawings have been re-scanned and are online since this morning (so now you can actually view the full drawings):
http://www.limerickcity.ie/ePlan/FileRefDetails.aspx?file_number=13141&LASiteID=0

Final date for submissions about the planning application is 9 december.

[NeverFeltBetter]

http://www.limerickfc.ie/limerick-fc-welcome-markets-field-progress


The initial phase of development is planned to allow The Markets Field to meet the Football Association of Ireland’s Licensing requirements. This will allow Airtricity League Premier Division competition to take place in the stadium and we now look forward to working with LEDP and continuing conversations to ensure that Limerick FC can call the stadium their home in the coming years.

As Limerick FC grow as a club and The Markets Field becomes an integral part of our city’s sporting fabric once again, the club look forward to investigating, in partnership with the LEDP, further phases of the stadium development in the future.

Limerick FC will continue to play our home matches in Thomond Park which will allow the LEDP the requisite time to fully complete the planned development to build The Markets Field into a stadium that epitomises the spirit of Limerick sport.

[bluewhitearmy]

Only good news from that statement is "Limerick FC will continue to play our home matches in Thomond Park"

The longer we can stay in Thomond the better with the plans there for the Markets Field.

[LFC Blue]

http://www.live95fm.ie/news/million-euro-grant-to-help-complete-market-s-field-project/17185
More positive news this week with regards to funding for the development of the Markets Field with the Regeneration program pledging 1.1million euro to the project. This is fantastic and should insure further enhancements to the ground going forward. The club really have won the lottery with the LEDP and now the regeneration committee adding such financial clout to the whole project. A permanent home for our club in such an iconic venue will be secured without any cost to the club and people are still cribbing on this message board about it....the mind boggles..After nearly 30 years of false promises we are finally on the verge of moving to a permanent home. Does anyone have any up to date pictures of the newly laid playing surface they could throw up?

[Jofspring]

I have seen it mentioned that this is not additional money but money that was already expected to go towards what the are currently doing to the ground. Hopefully it's not the case but only time will tell I suppose.

[bluewhitearmy]

http://www.live95fm.ie/news/million-euro-grant-to-help-complete-market-s-field-project/17185
More positive news this week with regards to funding for the development of the Markets Field with the Regeneration program pledging 1.1million euro to the project. This is fantastic and should insure further enhancements to the ground going forward. The club really have won the lottery with the LEDP and now the regeneration committee adding such financial clout to the whole project. A permanent home for our club in such an iconic venue will be secured without any cost to the club and people are still cribbing on this message board about it....the mind boggles..After nearly 30 years of false promises we are finally on the verge of moving to a permanent home. Does anyone have any up to date pictures of the newly laid playing surface they could throw up?


You have absolutely no idea what the problems people have with it even are do you?

[NeverFeltBetter]

I would be stunned if they hadn't been discussing this amount of promised money for a long time.

[LFC Blue]

Only good news from that statement is "Limerick FC will continue to play our home matches in Thomond Park"


The longer we can stay in Thomond the better with the plans there for the Markets Field.

I'm not sure Pat O Sullivan would agree with this particular statement as he signs cheque after cheque payable to Thomond Park PLC for the use of roughly 15,000 seats which will never even be occupied from one end of the season to the next.

[Jofspring]

I'm not sure Pat O Sullivan would agree with this particular statement as he signs cheque after cheque payable to Thomond Park PLC for the use of roughly 15,000 seats which will never even be occupied from one end of the season to the next.


He will have to pay rent for the markets field also though. The club may have got a better deal on Thomond park also as Thomond park have got in some nice money from rent, food and drink that they wouldn't have had if limerick weren't renting so it's suits Thomond park to keep limerick there at the moment.

[LFC Blue]

He will have to pay rent for the markets field also though. The club may have got a better deal on Thomond park also as Thomond park have got in some nice money from rent, food and drink that they wouldn't have had if limerick weren't renting so it's suits Thomond park to keep limerick there at the moment.


I would imagine the Markets Field rent will be nothing more than a token gesture. It is widely accepted that Limerick will be anchor tenents therefore where would the sense be in charging us big rent seen as we are the main reason the place is being developed. As regards the consumption of food and drink at Thomond Park i doubt very much with an average attendance of 1,000 people last season that it could be used as that much of a bargaining tool. Bottom line is renting a 26,000 capacity stadium for a team with an average attendance of 1000- 2000 is economical suicide and Thomond Park will never be a viable option for Limerick FC. The Markets Field is the perfect fit for us at the moment even with the small scale development of the ground which is outlined in the planning application and anyone that thinks otherwise is not being realistic.

[Jofspring]

I would imagine the Markets Field rent will be nothing more than a token gesture. It is widely accepted that Limerick will be anchor tenents therefore where would the sense be in charging us big rent seen as we are the main reason the place is being developed. As regards the consumption of food and drink at Thomond Park i doubt very much with an average attendance of 1,000 people last season that it could be used as that much of a bargaining tool. Bottom line is renting a 26,000 capacity stadium for a team with an average attendance of 1000- 2000 is economical suicide and Thomond Park will never be a viable option for Limerick FC. The Markets Field is the perfect fit for us at the moment even with the small scale development of the ground which is outlined in the planning application and anyone that thinks otherwise is not being realistic.

From what has been said the markets field rent won't be only a token gesture and will be what the LEDP will be using to pay back the loans.

Our final average attendance was 1,689. Over the course of a season, while not everyone would be doing so, that is still a lot of people eating and drinking that wouldn't be doing so with Thomond park closed like normal.

No one is saying Thomond park is long term viable but there was a meeting regarding why the markets field wasn't felt viable either like use only on match days, only the senior team allowed use it, no chance for income from bar, toilets located on only one side of the ground, an away stand away fans won't want to visit as it is 25 feet from the pitch and only a small bit covered.

If you wanted to run a business would you rent a building that didn't suit the needs?

[bluewhitearmy]

I would imagine the Markets Field rent will be nothing more than a token gesture.

It is widely accepted that Limerick will be anchor tenents

i doubt very much with an average attendance of 1,000 people last season that it could be used as that much of a bargaining tool.

The Markets Field is the perfect fit for us at the moment even with the small scale development of the ground which is outlined in the planning application and anyone that thinks otherwise is not being realistic.

You would be wrong.

They are not anchor tennants they are in there 20 days a year.

As has been said the average attendance wasn't 1,000.

In what way is it a perfect fit? If it was so much a perfect fit then why all the talk from the LEDP that if we have a big game we can go back out to Thomond. Hardly perfect that really is it. Its an ok ground if we don't plan on being successful and growing as a club anytime soon. If it turns out as the plans look it will more then likely be the 4th best football ground in Munster. More importantly then that it will never be a proper home to Limerick if they are only given the keys for 20 match nights a year and they have no way at all of making any revenue in there.

[NeverFeltBetter]

A "token gesture" rent, are you for real? Limerick FC will pay for the use of the Market's Field, and there will be nothing token about it.

[Charlie Darwin]

Have Lims put any money into the cost or is it all the LEDP? Either way, I suspect it will be run as a profit-making venture like Tallaght. LEDP will want it earning them money to reinvest in other projects.

[Jofspring]

Have Lims put any money into the cost or is it all the LEDP? Either way, I suspect it will be run as a profit-making venture like Tallaght. LEDP will want it earning them money to reinvest in other projects.

I don't think so but also I don't think the option was there to put money into it either. Nothing wrong with the LEDP choosing to charge rent either though but a lot of people seem to think limerick are getting this free cheap ground and should be happy.

[LFC Blue]

The negativity on here towards the Markets Field move is baffling. I'm following Limerick FC since 1990 and have lived through broken promises of father joe and his field of dreams up in Rathbane, going cap in hand to junior clubs like Pike and begging for the use of their ground to stay in existence, slumming it in Jackman at the mercy of the LDMC and here we are after 30 years homeless getting the chance to move back to our spiritual home with no massive financial outlay required and all ye can do is crib about it. Time people got a bit realistic on here. The capacity of the Markets Field is expected at about 2,700 and people are moaning here about that. Well i can tell ye one thing lads in my 25years of following Limerick i can count on one hand the amount of times we exceeded 2,700 people at a home match so get real lads because i don't expect to see us in the group stages of the champions league packing out Thomond Park anytime soon.

Maybe ye can give me a better alternative to moving to the Markets Field???

[bluewhitearmy]

The negativity on here towards the Markets Field move is baffling. I'm following Limerick FC since 1990 and have lived through broken promises of father joe and his field of dreams up in Rathbane, going cap in hand to junior clubs like Pike and begging for the use of their ground to stay in existence, slumming it in Jackman at the mercy of the LDMC and here we are after 30 years homeless getting the chance to move back to our spiritual home with no massive financial outlay required and all ye can do is crib about it. Time people got a bit realistic on here. The capacity of the Markets Field is expected at about 2,700 and people are moaning here about that. Well i can tell ye one thing lads in my 25years of following Limerick i can count on one hand the amount of times we exceeded 2,700 people at a home match so get real lads because i don't expect to see us in the group stages of the champions league packing out Thomond Park anytime soon.

Maybe ye can give me a better alternative to moving to the Markets Field???

Why come on talking about something when you haven't a clue what you are talking about seriously like?

What has father Joe Young got to do with it? What has Pike or Jackman got to do with it?

You say after 30 years homeless sher when we go to the Markets Field we will be no less homeless then we were in Pike or Jackman.

Just because we don't have an alternative does not mean the Markets Field plans are good. Your typical of some people in Limerick though spouting a load of rubbish with absolutely no idea what you are talking about. You were told already why some of the points you have already made are wrong and instead of actually answering any of that you just spout more nonsense.

[NeverFeltBetter]

How dare Limerick fans criticise the terrible plans of the stadium they will be using (and paying for).

[sadloserkid]

slumming it in Jackman at the mercy of the LDMC

Slumming it in Markets Field at the mercy of the LEDP.

There's no real difference there. Obviously Jackman will be a worse slum.

[gael353]

Limerick FC can't contribute to the ground financially as the ground is held in trust so it would be more like a contribution to a charity. We would have no say in how the monies would be spent, (decent stand) etc and going on the plans it looks like no one has been listened to on just how bad they are. Using our crowds of last year in Thomond is really shoddy in saying that the capacity would be good enough as we played on all seven days of the week last year six of which were unsuitable for the Limerick football folk. Limerick as tenants have always paid rent, considerable rent at all venues they have used and going on soundings the rent for the MF is nothing short of extortionate for the "facilities" on offer. For LFC bLUE..when complete this will be the forth best Football ground in MUNSTER. again this will be the forth best ground in munster. In case you didnt hear it will be the forth best ground in munster. The rent of Thomond is cut down on last year and i hope Limerick will play on their for the foreseeable future. One more time this will be the forth best ground in MUNSTER. I too look forward to the development of the forth best ground in Munster being built in 1974 sorry my mistake 2014.

[blueblood]

For me the most annoying thing about this is there was great potential for a lovely little stadium where the public could go to watch a strong progressive team thus crowds would be up (at least 3000) for some games limerick for could grow. Limerick Fc could make money from friendly games etc but way it's looking now the club would be better off with it's own ground where they can play and invest in a proper ground. What a waste giving the LEDP the ground. Actually come to think of it how could we move into Markets Field under worse conditions, not even a bar like come on.

[fieldofmarkets]

Spot on blueblood, massive lost opportunity.

[LFC Blue]

Limerick FC can't contribute to the ground financially as the ground is held in trust so it would be more like a contribution to a charity. We would have no say in how the monies would be spent, (decent stand) etc and going on the plans it looks like no one has been listened to on just how bad they are. Using our crowds of last year in Thomond is really shoddy in saying that the capacity would be good enough as we played on all seven days of the week last year six of which were unsuitable for the Limerick football folk. Limerick as tenants have always paid rent, considerable rent at all venues they have used and going on soundings the rent for the MF is nothing short of extortionate for the "facilities" on offer. For LFC bLUE..when complete this will be the forth best Football ground in MUNSTER. again this will be the forth best ground in munster. In case you didnt hear it will be the forth best ground in munster. The rent of Thomond is cut down on last year and i hope Limerick will play on their for the foreseeable future. One more time this will be the forth best ground in MUNSTER. I too look forward to the development of the forth best ground in Munster being built in 1974 sorry my mistake 2014.

Ok Gael. I think your trying to tell me it is the fourth best stadium in munster as opposed to it being the forth best stadium in munster! So much negativity on here but little in the way of alternatives being suggested.anyone that cannot see that continuing to play in Thomond park is killing us both on and off the field is kidding themselves. What exactly do ye want... Sullivan to spend a few million on building a stadium to yer specification on a green field site. Tis fussy ye got after a few months in the comforts of the home of munster rugby.

[fieldofmarkets]

I understand where you are coming from LFC Blue and agree with you on what Markets Field could be to Limerick. Unfortunately it is not currently proposing to be any of those things.The alternative people are looking for is for the LEDP to make the right decisions to ensure the ground is a success for Limerick and themselves. If Limerick don't thrive there it will ultimately not provide revenue to LEDP either. If LEDP do not grasp what is needed, Limerick should not facilitate poor decisions by moving in straight away and instead should stay in TP for as long as they can afford it. Of course this is not long term sustainable but either is the current MF setup. At least staying out might provide some time for changes or enlightenement, otherwise the longterm is grim either way.

[bluewhitearmy]

Ok Gael. I think your trying to tell me it is the fourth best stadium in munster as opposed to it being the forth best stadium in munster! So much negativity on here but little in the way of alternatives being suggested.anyone that cannot see that continuing to play in Thomond park is killing us both on and off the field is kidding themselves. What exactly do ye want... Sullivan to spend a few million on building a stadium to yer specification on a green field site. Tis fussy ye got after a few months in the comforts of the home of munster rugby.

Exact same as Markets Field will do then.

People want exactly what fieldofmarkets has said and people have said that quite a lot if you bothered to actually see what people were saying instead of talking nonsense you would know that.

[kingpin4]

Exact same as Markets Field will do then.

People want exactly what fieldofmarkets has said and people have said that quite a lot if you bothered to actually see what people were saying instead of talking nonsense you would know that.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this just the first phase of everything? So the plan is to have it basic just to meet licensing and develop as we go along?

That brings its own issues with it too. Being more successful brings more fans, brings more revenue and makes development a priority. On the other side of that, if we're not successful and crowds stay as they are, it'll just remain a basic venue which will tick all the boxes for licensing but it will be the 4th best in Munster (not sure if that's been mentioned yet)
I do think the LEDP could have done a bit more just to entice fans in though. The bar could have been a huge pull for example, have a few pints and out on the town after it.

[bluewhitearmy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this just the first phase of everything? So the plan is to have it basic just to meet licensing and develop as we go along?

That brings its own issues with it too. Being more successful brings more fans, brings more revenue and makes development a priority. On the other side of that, if we're not successful and crowds stay as they are, it'll just remain a basic venue which will tick all the boxes for licensing but it will be the 4th best in Munster (not sure if that's been mentioned yet)
I do think the LEDP could have done a bit more just to entice fans in though. The bar could have been a huge pull for example, have a few pints and out on the town after it.

This is what the LEDP has started saying after people complained to them about the poor quality of the plans, before that they had said that they had no funding for improvements. The 2 small stands they have are concrete so are fairly permanent. I and quite a few others believe that what we go into is what will be there for good. In terms of quality of ground they would be better off getting a big temporary stand like they have in Bray on the opposite side of the main stand then building these horrible smaller stands that dont even cover all the seats in them.

The bar and being able to raise revenue from the ground is big for the future of the club and there is absolutely no way of doing that in this ground. They have stated there will never be a bar in the ground.

[fieldofmarkets]

Looking at the photo on LEDP's website today, there does not appear to be much room outside the playing surface for development of significant spectator facilities. I suppose this could be torn up later but it is a good indicator of LEDP's intentions on whether they really see future development.

[gael353]

Ok Gael. I think your trying to tell me it is the fourth best stadium in munster as opposed to it being the forth best stadium in munster!
Football ground, forth best football ground in Munster simple as

So much negativity on here but little in the way of alternatives being suggested.anyone that cannot see that continuing to play in Thomond park is killing us both on and off the field is kidding themselves. What exactly do ye want... Sullivan to spend a few million on building a stadium to yer specification on a green field site. Tis fussy ye got after a few months in the comforts of the home of munster rugby.

your looking for an alternative. Limerick move out of a fineish facility where all breeds and sexes can go to costing limerick an arm and a leg and as you said its killing us. So we move to the MF in its present guise. DEAD BY 2017

[Charlie Darwin]

DEAD BY 1017
But it's 1753 now.

[limerickmurf1]

As a Limerick man living away abroad now I have been following the wonderful developments in The Markets Field since the first announcement that it was to be redeveloped. I have followed it on social media, the LEDP website, Limerick Leader etc. I paid a trip up there on Christmas Eve and looking in the gate I was amazed by what has been done there already. I googled it this morning and was directed to this forum (don’t know why it never came up before) and I actually joined the forum just to respond to the absurdity of some of the comments. Am I missing something here? A philanthropist buys the former home of Limerick soccer entrusts it to an organisation that has singlehandedly contributed more to the south side of Limerick city than any other organisation public or private (creating jobs in the process) according to their website, they pump massive amounts of money into putting in a brand new pitch, while keeping everyone informed of what is going on by weekly updates on their website (gives me a great link to home), they secure 1.1 m euro from government to redevelop the ground in the teeth of the deepest recession that has ever hit the country ( I know, I had to leave because of it) and they are vilified on this website because it is not what 10 or so contributors who are obviously not representative of the vast majority of Limerick people want. I put it to you all that it is very easy to hide behind the anonymity that a forum gives and snipe and give out. I even saw a negative comment about the grammar used on their website for God’s sake. If ever the curse of St Munchin was in evidence it is here. I note that one contributor even tells LEDP to make “the right decisions to ensure the ground is a success for themselves and Limerick” I’m sure that that astute comment will have them clamouring to employ you… I don’t know how they redeveloped Krups without you!!! As a follower of Limerick soccer since the last time they won the league (you don’t have to be a member of an organised club to follow soccer) I know that Limerick have had more homes and comebacks than Frank Sinatra, the junior club organisation don’t talk to the senior club organisation, the academy don’t talk to the clubs (they think they are poaching their players apparently) and if it weren’t for people like Hogan, Drew and O’ Sullivan (like them or not), senior soccer in Limerick would be as dead as Frank Sinatra. But yet when JP McManus, LEDP and Government do something to develop a ground, you whine and complain that it will be the fourth best ground in Munster (about 10 times) and that there will be no bar (if there was you would probably complain about the price of the pint) and your toes might get wet because the stand roof is too short (you were obviously never on the popular side in 1980/81). I really think you all would object to Santa Claus if you had a chance. You had your chance to buy it and develop it yourselves, Limerick FC had a chance to buy it and develop it Pat O’ Sullivan even drew plans for something he didn’t own, the City and all the “interested” councillors had a chance to buy it and develop it, The VEC drew plans to buy it and develop it and guess what……you and they didn’t. The ultimate comment has to be “what a waste giving LEDP the ground” because of course if JP gave it to the supporters they could have redeveloped it faster and better with their vast knowledge of soccer grounds and unlimited resources!!! You feel that you have a right to tell those that actually did do something what they are doing wrong. One poster even suggests that Limerick stay out of the ground for as long as possible to teach “them” a lesson. Thank God JP McManus had the sense not to hand over the ground to these “free thinkers” or the thistles would be growing back there in no time. For my money the new owners would be perfectly within their rights to tell you where to go (or maybe stay) and go and talk to the other sporting organisations that might have an interest, especially as you all reckon you’ll be dead by 2017 anyway (Rugby League, big in my new neck of the woods, Schoolboy Rugby, Hockey or even the college next door) and I hope that if they do read forums like this they will realise that these forums are not representative of the vast sway of public opinion that would love to see the Markets Field reopened in whatever phased way possible and are delighted that someone in Limerick has the breadth of imagination to do something positive and not just sit on the side-lines and wait for someone to come and ask their opinion and write a blank cheque. Is there is anyone in this group of supporters that can say anything positive about the biggest development for Limerick soccer ever? If there is can they please speak up and at least show the people that are leading the way (LEDP) in this project that there is some gratitude for trying to do the right thing. Or maybe I am missing something and LEDP has in some way managed to scupper some plan for someone else to make something out of the ground because in my experience when a group of people can find nothing positive to say it is usually because they either are jealous of what others have, or have a bone to pick due to being undermined. From my reading of everything so far LEDP are giving Limerick FC a chance to make the Markets field home for their matches. They are lifting the financial burden of Thomond Park and giving them access to what appears will be the best playing surface in Munster. According to the Leader, Limerick FC have already decided that Bruff Convent is to be their home and in the same way that many of the premiership clubs in England train and administer their clubs at locations other than their match ground, Limerick now have an opportunity to have a home ground without the holding cost. From what I can see LEDP are doing this not out of any commercial prerogative but out of a wish to do the same as they did in the Southside of the city and try and give Limerick FC and the area around the Markets Field a bit of a lift. But perhaps Limerick soccer and their supporters don’t deserve this or find it hard not to flog a gift horse to death. I don’t have any knowledge of who LEDP are apart from those listed on the website. I see Keith Wood mentioned in posts (in a derogatory way as is common on this forum) and can only assume that he has some consultative role in the project because he is not listed on their executive or board but I do know what a loss Krups was and from what I can see that site now seems to be thriving again. I, for one, can’t wait to get back into the Markets Field…..now come and take a swipe at me!!!!!!