A few things.....

[Pauro 76]

Few new things on the website. There's now a countdown clock to the new season and an improved Twitter interface on the homepage. You can now check the timelime on the homepage itself. Incidentally does anyone want to do live matchday feed via Town's twitter page? Do you reckon we need one?

[outspoken]

Few new things on the website. There's now a countdown clock to the new season and an improved Twitter interface on the homepage. You can now check the timelime on the homepage itself. Incidentally does anyone want to do live matchday feed via Town's twitter page? Do you reckon we need one?

I honestly think anything to push our social media platforms is crucial and live updates is a must have. I'm sure someone would be happy to do it, I would myself only I'm the never take my eyes off the game kind of guy :)

[RiffRaff]

Its good to see so many people here actively involved and willing to lend their time to help out. You guys are the heartbeat of the club. Lots of good ideas here and just a couple of thoughts of my own - I only get home and see a match every couple of years so apologies if these have been discussed before. As mentioned a few times above, I think online merchandaise would be a big advantage. I'm sure it would be worth very little in terms on income but it would raise the profile of the club a little. I often see English born guys walking round London with GAA shirts to show the family connections, be good to see some with Town shirts for the Longford background. Another thing I think would raise the exposure a bit would be the existance of fan clubs in different parts of the world. They wouldnt have to be particularly active or have more than a couple of members, but it could help spread the word a bit.
In terms of getting school kids more involved, what about organsing school trips to Flancare? I know it would mean someone have to give up time to show kids and teachers around, but it could develop an interest for kids, and maybe offer them a free entry if accompanied by an adult after the trip so they can nag a parent to bring them. Just a thought.

[Keen2win]

Would Longford Town F.C. look at setting up partnerships with certain places in the town?

I was thinking St. Christophers?

http://www.corkcityfc.net/home/2013/01/16/cork-association-for-autism-announced-as-cork-city-fcs-2013-charity-partner/

Surely something that could be looked in to. Always thought that the main problem was that LTFC was simply too attached from the community.

[Keen2win]

Cathedral Restoration Fund.

Just start getting more involved.

[Martinho II]

Cathedral Restoration Fund.

Just start getting more involved.

in fairness to the club they had a fundraising concert in Flancare for the above so I am not sure what more can be done.

[Keen2win]

Just keep plugging away, getting club representatives in photo's, generating good publicity...

Any other local projects that LTFC might be able to get involved with one way or another?

[Longfordian]

in fairness to the club they had a fundraising concert in Flancare for the above so I am not sure what more can be done.

Yeah I think they've had a couple, with pictures in the Leader etc. But yeah any little bit of good publicity is a help.

[Cabs88]

in fairness to the club they had a fundraising concert in Flancare for the above so I am not sure what more can be done.

Id imagine a local concert with local rock/pop/indie cover bands (perhaps with a younger listener-ship) might be worth looking at..

As regards the club in the community, I have always felt this is where we have been seriously lacking in the last number of years.. Stephen Kenny was brilliant in this regard, and was regularly seen in town and in schools. The only way the club will build up an affinity with the local community is if they get involved! I often wondered why ads for town games weren't put in Polish and possibly czech. Theres a great opportunity for the Club to do a press release in the coming weeks in the Longford leader, pics of players, interviews etc.. The leader has a very big reach in terms of readership, and the special they do for county final every year is something that should be looked at replicating.
People will find it hard to build an affinity with the players if they don't recognise them. Pics and interviews in the paper will help this. The gap between local leagues and the Town is something that could be addressed..
Another possible venture might be if the club had a presence in Abbeycartron once a month or 6 weeks on a Saturday morning talking to players and telling them about games it might be a good idea. You see clubs in England, United for example employ ambassadors for the club. I feel Alan Kirby could be excellent in this regard, well known and respected, and just maybe might encourage one or two new people to attend to the games.. Only a thought

On the charity side, and a community venture it might be an idea to have a charity soccer game between a town XI and a local GAA XI.. It was done in the past and might be something that could be looked at in the future. Longford is a small town/county and many of our supporters support both codes, perhaps we could remind lapsed GAA supporters that there is a soccer club in the town, that play games on a Saturday night, traditionally not a typical GAA slot

My two cents anyway..

[Pauro 76]

Any Twitter-savvy folk up for doing matchday duties for the Town official Twitter page? Score updates, team sheets/changes, etc. A very useful service plus it keeps Town exiles (like myself1) in the loop. Drop us a pm if interested!

[Martinho II]

[QUOTE=Cabs88;1660135]Id imagine a local concert with local rock/pop/indie cover bands (perhaps with a younger listener-ship) might be worth looking at..

I remember we did that ourselves for two years in 06/07-the exact same format. I think it was cancelled due to lack of interest from the public but maybe it is worth looking into it again?

[nigel-harps1954]

Id imagine a local concert with local rock/pop/indie cover bands (perhaps with a younger listener-ship) might be worth looking at..

I remember we did that ourselves for two years in 06/07-the exact same format. I think it was cancelled due to lack of interest from the public but maybe it is worth looking into it again?


This sort of thing is much, much easier to run now with Facebook invites and added promotion.

It's something we're looking at running ourselves up here too.

[Cabs88]

[QUOTE=Cabs88;1660135]Id imagine a local concert with local rock/pop/indie cover bands (perhaps with a younger listener-ship) might be worth looking at..

I remember we did that ourselves for two years in 06/07-the exact same format. I think it was cancelled due to lack of interest from the public but maybe it is worth looking into it again?

Going back a bit but I remember the beat on the street used to be a great crowd puller in town. Perhaps something could be looked at in terms of collaboration with the festival organisers in town? Flancare park would be a great venue and im sure the many younger people that go to the Attic discos and older folk who enjoy live music would attend.. A possible time could be around the mid season break, longer days, pitch wouldn be hampered and im sure school/college going students would only look for something to attend..

[outspoken]

Agree with Cabs that we need to get people into schools locally again, just look at the amount of kids at tonights under 19 game (I even heard one of them asking their manager would they ever get to play matches there so he was obviously impressed with the ground). The LDSL had their kids at the match tonight and we really should be looking to link up with them somehow (although I have heard some people say this migh nt be easy for one reason or another)

[Keen2win]

Jaysus I'd love to get involved in making this stuff happen!

Is it true that there is a spare room under the stand where you can put flags and stuff?

[Longfordian]

Agree with Cabs that we need to get people into schools locally again, just look at the amount of kids at tonights under 19 game (I even heard one of them asking their manager would they ever get to play matches there so he was obviously impressed with the ground). The LDSL had their kids at the match tonight and we really should be looking to link up with them somehow (although I have heard some people say this migh nt be easy for one reason or another)

I think there's quite close links between the club and the schoolboys league these days. Jim Hanley mentioned it in his speech at the dinner recently as something they're working on and he said they're making good progress.

[Tuckers Bike]

Is Keith Gillespie still up there?

[Bosco]

Jaysus I'd love to get involved in making this stuff happen!

Is it true that there is a spare room under the stand where you can put flags and stuff?

I used to keep those flags spelling out section O there years ago, in fact they are still there!Im sure if you asked one of the stewards if it was ok to leave them there in between games theyd have no problem as long as they weren't taking up too much space.....

Think thats a great idea Cabs about having players down in Abbeycartron every few weeks...a direct connection between young lads playing there every week and the club is crucial to gain support..

On the topic of some kind of concert,I remember one being planned years ago that didnt really take off....hard to know what kind of interest there is for one. It wouldnt be a bad idea getting in contact with someone from the Attic about it. I know they organised a huge one last summer that was held in the Rugby club, think it was something to do with iRadio...

[Macy]

Think thats a great idea Cabs about having players down in Abbeycartron every few weeks...a direct connection between young lads playing there every week and the club is crucial to gain support..
I'm sure I'm not the only one of my vintage who has fond memories of going to Zac's Training in Abbeycartron (and I was only over on holiday!).

Following on from the thread on the underage international, and what's been done with the club house - is there definitely no way of getting a licence for the club house? I've been lead to believe that the positioning of the toilets is the issue, but it is a real pity that the club can't use it on a match day even (never mind potential income from hiring it out). Cans and bottles only and there needn't be too much costs on infrastructure etc.

[Longfordian]

The toilets issue was flagged up by the fire safety officer a few years back definitely. There's barrister's fees for the application and the guards weren't too enthusiastic about the idea either if memory serves. Between everything that had to be done I think it would've cost upwards of €10k which the club didn't have at the time. That's just my recollection and circumstances could have changed since, I don't know.

[Keen2win]

I used to keep those flags spelling out section O there years ago, in fact they are still there!Im sure if you asked one of the stewards if it was ok to leave them there in between games theyd have no problem as long as they weren't taking up too much space.....

Think thats a great idea Cabs about having players down in Abbeycartron every few weeks...a direct connection between young lads playing there every week and the club is crucial to gain support..

On the topic of some kind of concert,I remember one being planned years ago that didnt really take off....hard to know what kind of interest there is for one. It wouldnt be a bad idea getting in contact with someone from the Attic about it. I know they organised a huge one last summer that was held in the Rugby club, think it was something to do with iRadio...

I was slightly involved with the Attic one! It was a great success, and if it is being held again this year I can only see it going from strength to strength.

However, I think Flancare would be too small for it. It was spread out over three pitches, Pearse Park used as the carpark and The Sin Bin used to feed people. It has more or less the perfect location as it is.

[Martinho II]

I'm sure I'm not the only one of my vintage who has fond memories of going to Zac's Training in Abbeycartron (and I was only over on holiday!).



yep me and pauro seven did it for a couple of summers..

[Martinho II]

Is Keith Gillespie still up there?

yep he renewed his deal with us a few weeks back and got player of the yr last season!

[Cabs88]

The toilets issue was flagged up by the fire safety officer a few years back definitely. There's barrister's fees for the application and the guards weren't too enthusiastic about the idea either if memory serves. Between everything that had to be done I think it would've cost upwards of €10k which the club didn't have at the time. That's just my recollection and circumstances could have changed since, I don't know.

Time to start a lobby group.. Cans Under Neath The Stand.. You can come up with a witty acronym for that yourselves..

Seriously, I always felt if we could ever have some sort of a licence out there it would be a great addition.. Head out to flancare at half 5 for a saturday evening EPL game have a few and then the town match.. Think it could be a great source of income if it was ever looked into properly..

[outspoken]

Time to start a lobby group.. Cans Under Neath The Stand.. You can come up with a witty acronym for that yourselves..

Seriously, I always felt if we could ever have some sort of a licence out there it would be a great addition.. Head out to flancare at half 5 for a saturday evening EPL game have a few and then the town match.. Think it could be a great source of income if it was ever looked into properly..

That would be brilliant but I'd imagine if we had a license there we would be classed as a pub in terns of getting Sky TV in and that would cost a couple of thousand a year on top of other costs.....Would be unreal tho.

[Longfordian]

A couple of thousand a year for Sky is optimistic. More like ten grand I'd say. They base it on the size of the premises I believe.

[L.T.F.C.]

Stream it...

[Macy]

I personally wouldn't see sky TV as a deal breaker - (stupid) summer season we have anyway. But anyway, TV's showing the previous match would be enough, particularly if it was an away game.

[outspoken]

Stream it...

Would that be legal?....Suppose you could sign up to one of those legal sites for so much a month.

[Longfordian]

No it wouldn't be legal as far as I know. Breach of copyright.

[L.T.F.C.]

A course it isn't legal. There are legal ways of doing it.

[Bosco]

I can't figure out whether ye are taking the p1ss or not regarding the streaming...I presume ye are...

[L.T.F.C.]

There are legal ways of doing it. But I fear we're getting off topic.

[howsyourtouch]

Id imagine a local concert with local rock/pop/indie cover bands (perhaps with a younger listener-ship) might be worth looking at..

As regards the club in the community, I have always felt this is where we have been seriously lacking in the last number of years.. Stephen Kenny was brilliant in this regard, and was regularly seen in town and in schools. The only way the club will build up an affinity with the local community is if they get involved! I often wondered why ads for town games weren't put in Polish and possibly czech. Theres a great opportunity for the Club to do a press release in the coming weeks in the Longford leader, pics of players, interviews etc.. The leader has a very big reach in terms of readership, and the special they do for county final every year is something that should be looked at replicating.
People will find it hard to build an affinity with the players if they don't recognise them. Pics and interviews in the paper will help this. The gap between local leagues and the Town is something that could be addressed..
Another possible venture might be if the club had a presence in Abbeycartron once a month or 6 weeks on a Saturday morning talking to players and telling them about games it might be a good idea. You see clubs in England, United for example employ ambassadors for the club. I feel Alan Kirby could be excellent in this regard, well known and respected, and just maybe might encourage one or two new people to attend to the games.. Only a thought

On the charity side, and a community venture it might be an idea to have a charity soccer game between a town XI and a local GAA XI.. It was done in the past and might be something that could be looked at in the future. Longford is a small town/county and many of our supporters support both codes, perhaps we could remind lapsed GAA supporters that there is a soccer club in the town, that play games on a Saturday night, traditionally not a typical GAA slot

My two cents anyway..


The thing with playing a local 11 of gaa or area league players is it can backfire and has done in the past,a team made up of local area league players(most of whom had played at high levels in their younger days) very nearly bet the town 2 or 3 years ago...all the lads playing that day came away laughing thinkin if that's who were ment to pay to see what's the point...I know it was only a friendly but you can catch the jist of what I'm saying..

[Pauro 76]

I'm sure the old Flancare Park sign would be a great collectors item. Maybe it could go up for auction?

[Longfordian]

I'd say it could find a place in the clubhouse somewhere. Part of the club's history now.

[Martinho II]

Wonder when the new signage will go up?as of yesterday flancare park was still visible!

[Acornvilla]

Personally I'd rather have it in the clubhouse, than have it pawned off for probably only a grand or two at the very most.

[Pauro 76]

As you'll have noticed, the LTFC Twitter page now have regular match day updates. Many thanks from myself to everyone chipping in on the social media and website side of things, cracking work all round. Watch out too for match day posters for home games in a new Fanzone section before the start of the season!

[Keen2win]

Might start bringing a camera for a few pics! Don't think I would be able for anything much more technical!

[Pauro 76]

Might start bringing a camera for a few pics! Don't think I would be able for anything much more technical!

Any daycent pics you have, send them onto webmaster@ltfc.ie and they could be used!

[Acornvilla]

Doing my degree show exhibition on football in june, so the flan... city watchamacallit stadium, Jackman park and Thomand will probably feature heavily, might have the odd photos here and there ye can use when I get home at the start of the season I'll probably be taking a few pics.

[fitzpatrick10]

i asked about the sign tonight and was told the new sign would be put up during the week and that the were not keeping the old sign and that i was the 1st to ask about it .. also i was told sky is being installed on the tv in the clubhouse by one of the players

[Acornvilla]

i asked about the sign tonight and was told the new sign would be put up during the week and that the were not keeping the old sign and that i was the 1st to ask about it .. also i was told sky is being installed on the tv in the clubhouse by one of the playersCutting costs by letting players live in the clubhouse are we? :D

[outspoken]

So their throwing away the sign, aw''here!

[Martinho II]

That sign should be put up in the clubhouse!

[Longfordian]

Surely the Supporters Club should take ownership of it?

[L.T.F.C.]

Why??

[Longfordian]

Well if it's being (apparently) thrown away and people such as , for example, Martinho want to keep it or have it in the clubhouse then why not? Clubhouse is run by the Supporters Club. Better than throwing it away.

[fitzpatrick10]

they should put it in the clubhouse, someone should say something before it gets taken down this week