Athlone Town

[Longfordian]

Alan Mathews has quit apparently. Can't say as I blame him.

[ATFC-1887]

****** of a chairman didn't even bother to show up to the meeting with the fai investigator. So they all left. As far as I know all 22 players have left.

[Mr A]

That is scary. Is there any sign of a trust of supporter movement to get involved?

Looking like Athlone may find it hard to restart after the break.

[ATFC-1887]

This is their plan all along. They want the 19s to finish the season. They have no interest in the first team. ****ing arrogant scumbags ruining the club.
The group are still willing to take over but Hayden is refusing to give over accounts or any info.
The club is gone. The end.

[Mr A]

But sure without the seniors they can't have U19s. This doesn't make any sense at all to me.

[bluewhitearmy]

But sure without the seniors they can't have U19s. This doesn't make any sense at all to me.

They want the 19s to make up the senior squad as well as the 19s squad according to some Athlone fans. Hardly a good way to develop players if the goal is to try and sell them on.

[Dodge]

Hardly a good way to develop players if the goal is to try and sell them on.

I'm not being funny but there is ZERO chance of any of the Athlone under 19s being "sold on". Not a pop at you bluewhitearmy as it may well be their thinking.

It really is a GUBU situation

[Longfordian]

Not turning up to meet the FAI investigator is not the best way of ensuring the FAI will co-operate in any way with whatever plan they have in mind. I'm sure the FAI could find ways to sabotage it if they want to, even without throwing them out.

[bluewhitearmy]

I'm not being funny but there is ZERO chance of any of the Athlone under 19s being "sold on". Not a pop at you bluewhitearmy as it may well be their thinking.

It really is a GUBU situation

I agree with you 100%. I am just repeating what I have seen Athlone fans say is the current owners plans on facebook. He supposedly only wants the youth teams so he can try and sell on a few young lads and to save costs he wants the young lads to play senior team and 19s. Like you say there isn't really a hope of making any money from any of the players anyway and any potential they have to even be decent players at LOI level will be ruined by having to play both teams imo.

[NeverFeltBetter]

What a horrible situation. What more can the FAI do at this point? Will they level additional punitive measures due to non-cooperation?

[ATFC-1887]

This little ****** is hiding something and does not want it to be found.
Why else would he stay around and not show accounts etc.
He's an arrogant ***** and I'm sick to death of all this ****e. A group of well abled people willing to take over and he shuts them down every time. Even after claiming he will step down if someone is willing to take over.
Supporting Athlone 20+ years and I've never experienced anything like it. It's heartbreaking to see the cub I grew up with in the state it is now all because of one egotistical dictator

[Longfordian]

I've asked this earlier in the thread but I'm not clear on what way the club is structured legally. Presume there's a limited company that holds the LOI licence rather than a trust or co-op? Is the chairman the only shareholder, who are the members? Might be worth considering a complaint to the Director of Corporate Enforcement about the operation of the company.

[Martinho II]

This little ****** is hiding something and does not want it to be found.
Why else would he stay around and not show accounts etc.
He's an arrogant ***** and I'm sick to death of all this ****e. A group of well abled people willing to take over and he shuts them down every time. Even after claiming he will step down if someone is willing to take over.
Supporting Athlone 20+ years and I've never experienced anything like it. It's heartbreaking to see the cub I grew up with in the state it is now all because of one egotistical dictator

how long has he being involved with ATFC and where on earth did this awful human being come from? Alan Mathews has being unfortunate with his choice of club first Cork, then Bray and then Athlone. I know some people would say us from when we got the pts taken off us in 07 but that is a totally different scenario! would love to see Mathews back with us instead of that waster Cousins!

[NeverFeltBetter]

Would the U-19's really be happy to be used as filler for the senior team while the owner tries to sell them off as fast as possible? Or will they just be happy with the higher exposure?

[total hoofball]

Would the U-19's really be happy to be used as filler for the senior team while the owner tries to sell them off as fast as possible? Or will they just be happy with the higher exposure?
Exposure playing in a team getting battered 6, 7, 8, 9.. nil every week in an already appalling standard First Division? This is an Athlone U-19 team that currently stands 8/10 with 3 wins/6 defeats from 9 games, their U-19s hardly look like much exposure to an aspiring young player as things currently stand. Bizarre rationale if that's what Athlone's board 'plan'

[KeepersBall]

I really don't know what to say to ATFC fans, it must be a horrible feeling right now.
Two things come to mind though.
Seeing as he did not turn up for the meeting could the FAI not do Hayden under the old catch all ;'Bringing the game into disrepute' and ban him from involvement with football.
Secondly is an AFC Athlone scenario, like Wimbledon, feasible?
Would there be a pitch available locally up to LOI standards for instance?
Just don't let the show fold completely.
By the way who owns the stadium, does Hayden?

[Longfordian]

The stadium is owned by a separate company and has been since it was built. I believe the directors of that company have no involvement in the running of the club. Thankfully, for ATFC fans.

[bluewhitearmy]

Exposure playing in a team getting battered 6, 7, 8, 9.. nil every week in an already appalling standard First Division? This is an Athlone U-19 team that currently stands 8/10 with 3 wins/6 defeats from 9 games, their U-19s hardly look like much exposure to an aspiring young player as things currently stand. Bizarre rationale if that's what Athlone's board 'plan'

I can only imagine what we would do to these poor young lads honestly if they got us on a day we were anywhere near playing well we would hit em for 10 with ease.

[Jofspring]

Personally if my son was with Athlone Under 19's i'd refuse to let him play senior team with the rest of the 19's and I'm sure a lot of their parents will feel that way.

[NeverFeltBetter]

That's what I was thinking. Who, in their right mind, would want their son associated with such a club, seemingly circling the drain? And if Athlone fail to fulfill another fixture...

[gufcfan]

Personally if my son was with Athlone Under 19's i'd refuse to let him play senior team with the rest of the 19's and I'm sure a lot of their parents will feel that way.

Isn't there rules anyway about who many players can play in both squads?

[ATFC-1887]

An egm has been called by members. Thursday night.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Will there be a team for Athlone's game on Friday?

[disgruntled]

Will there be an Athlone club on Friday :confused:

[Mr A]

If Athlone have no manager and most if not all the players have left, what are the odds of them being able to field on Friday night?

Can amateur players be signed before July? Apparently the club are trying to sign up locals without success. https://t.co/KjCMql4Xp4

From the outside looming in the situation appears dire.

[Battery Rover]

If Athlone have no manager and most if not all the players have left, what are the odds of them being able to field on Friday night?

Can amateur players be signed before July? Apparently the club are trying to sign up locals without success. https://t.co/KjCMql4Xp4

From the outside looming in the situation appears dire.

I believe amateurs from junior clubs can be signed from 20th June. Players attached to LOI clubs not available for transfer until July 1st. Yes they will field Friday from what I know and I will be getting list for website from the club tomorrow all going well.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Wonder what kind of a squad they're going to be able to throw together at all. And who's in charge?

[Battery Rover]

Wonder what kind of a squad they're going to be able to throw together at all. And who's in charge?

I will be given that information tomorrow.

[Longfordian]

Mix of u17s and u19s by the looks of things. Can't imagine the FAI will be overly sympathetic as regards registering any new players if they can't or won't pay their old players. Who are they playing on Friday? Will they be the shortest priced favourite ever for a LOI game?

[Battery Rover]

Mix of u17s and u19s by the looks of things.

I can't see that happening as I know a few senior players stayed on and some.junior players from around the midlands have signed. But I would think the better u19s will be playing as part of that squad

[Lim till i die]

Will they be the shortest priced favourite ever for a LOI game?

No one's taking bets on it. :(

You can have cabinteely at 25(TWENTY FIVE)/1 at home if you're feeling lucky :D

[Longfordian]

Fair enough BR, you'd know more than I would. I just saw it online earlier.

[Battery Rover]

Fair enough BR, you'd know more than I would. I just saw it online earlier.

I might not be right either for all I know the junior players might all be 17 year old. Will know what we are at when I get list tomorrow. But I see a post on Facebook from a junior player with st peters saying 3 have signed from ballinasloe.

[atfconline]

Hmmm, don't Ballinasloe have a sprightly young lad by the name of Hope with them?

[KeepersBall]

Don't know how accurate this is. Just seen it on Facebook.

Athlone Town FC Fans (https://www.facebook.com/AthloneTownFcFans/?rc=p) Just been informed that O'Connor will take charge of the first team on Friday and it will consist of under 17 and under 19 players.

[Battery Rover]

Don't know how accurate this is. Just seen it on Facebook.

Athlone Town FC Fans (https://www.facebook.com/AthloneTownFcFans/?rc=p) Just been informed that O'Connor will take charge of the first team on Friday and it will consist of under 17 and under 19 players.

I believe that to be false even though lad who updates that page gets info from someone on the inside.

My source says not going to happen.

[ATFC-1887]

I believe that to be false even though lad who updates that page gets info from someone on the inside.

My source says not going to happen.

That came from a current committee member. Might not be true completely. But there will be a good amount of under 19s.
I've been told only Ian fletcher, Danny Molloy and Conor Barry are staying on from the first team. And whatever junior players we manager to scrape together by Friday.
If the latest rumour going around about what hardens plans are, then we may as well just close shop now.

[KeepersBall]

I like a good rumour me, so enlighten me.

[eitoof]

Any update Battery Rover? Is it game on?

[Battery Rover]

Any update Battery Rover? Is it game on?


Still waiting on official list to be forwarded to me when received from FAI. Number of players signed and registrations sent in. We will be fielding a team whatever happens according to what I hear.

[Mr A]

Update from ATFC: http://athlonetownfc.ie/team-news-update/

[Battery Rover]

Update from ATFC: http://athlonetownfc.ie/team-news-update/

And truthfully that is all I know at minute. As soon as list is received it will be online.

[Mr A]

Great opportunity for Athlone fans to chant "Who are ya?" at their own team.

[sadloserkid]

Great opportunity for Athlone fans to chant "Who are ya?" at their own team.

Totally worth it all so. :p

[passinginterest]

Great opportunity for Athlone fans to chant "Who are ya?" at their own team.

Great opportunity for Athlone fans to get a game for their own team.

[pineapple stu]

I can see Ash dusting off the gloves alright!

[Lim till i die]

Are the new people looking to take over a group of fans or businessmen or what?

[ybig]

Only 3 players have stayed on, the rest will be junior players and u19 tomorow night.

[Jd2793]

any sign of the confirmed players they have on the books for tomorrow? Are they even allowed to register junior players?

[ATFC-1887]

A meeting of members of Athlone Town AFC took place today 23rd June whereby a vote of no confidence in the current committee was unanimously passed.

A further statement by members will issue within 24 hours.

Unfortunately the chairman seems to think that members don't have any right to call a vote of no confidence. This is going to get very interesting very soon