How can Shels Survive now

[gufct]

Shels trio handed free transfers


January 18, 2007

Shelbourne trio Owen Heary, Colin Hawkins and Greg O’Halloran have been declared free agents after an independent hearing into their dispute with the eircom League champions found in their favour.

Heary captained Shels to the league crown in November, but the squad has fallen asunder amid severe financial wranglings over the past two months.

Manager Pat Fenlon left within days of the title triumph to take charge of rivals Derry City, while nine players had moved on before today – and the decision of the tribunal into the trio’s dispute effectively leaves Shels without their entire championship-winning team.

Heary is almost certain to sign on for Bohemians in the coming days while central defender Hawkins and versatile midfielder O’Halloran have been linked with Derry City.

Stephen Kenny, manager of Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic, is also interested in Hawkins. Kenny signed Bobby Ryan from Shelbourne last week.

In addition to Hawkins, Heary and O’Halloran, Glen Crowe is also expected to move on a free transfer. The striker’s former club Bohemians is said to be his likely destination.

[BohsPartisan]

Where did you get that from?

[BohsFans]

Where did you get that from?

I'd say elevenaside.com

[gufct]

Ya its also on shelsweb.I cant see them surviving without ollie stepping down and theres a fat chance of that.

[Conor H]

You really do hate Shels and Ollie gufct!:D

[centre mid]

Ollie may have to play next year

[Risteard]

Is there any indication that Shels have been looking for playing staff?
And when will a manager be appointed?

[Rory H]

Is there any indication that Shels have been looking for playing staff?
And when will a manager be appointed?


nope...its just olly singing this outside tolka park (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6d9yZ9U5vw)

[dcfcsteve]

Is there any indication that Shels have been looking for playing staff?
And when will a manager be appointed?

A Manager will be appointed when they can find someone stupid enough to clamber aboard that particular sinking ship.

Which could be any time between now and the 2008 season/the point at which Shels folds.

It's telling that, even with Champions League football on offer, they still can't find anyone mad or desperate enough to supp from Ollie's poisoned chalice.

Don't be surprised if Ollie announces that he'll be taking temporary charge for the first few games, whilst the old tale of a deal with a solid manager being worked out gets peddled.

[centre mid]

Sure those investors are sure to come in with a hand out and save ollie.............

[BohsPartisan]

I reckon its between Higgins and Gareth for the job.

[OneRedArmy]

Awaiting Tom the Gom ruling himself out of the running any day now.......

[Gareth]

I don't do club management.

[pete]

I don't think any manager or player would sign on fulltime basis now. At least if they sign part time will be paid by the day job if any problems.

[BohsPartisan]

I don't do club management.

So you are Gareth Farrelly after all! :D

[dublin15bohs]

who is the under 21s manager and has he been asked

[Gareth]

Mick Neville and I assume he has. I am also not Gareth Farrelly.

[sniffa]

What about Danny Drew????

[Tazskool]

I'd take the job :)

[Gareth]

:) I'd like to run the club, if I was given 10 million :)

[Saint07]

they were supposed to be back training last monday but no players showed up!

[OneRedArmy]

:) I'd like to run the club, if I was given 10 million :)You're Pat Dolan then so.....
:D

[OneRedArmy]

in an emergency, could they not train with the U21's?didn't they cannibalise the U-21s for spare parts last season?

[Ash]

I said it before and I'll say it again :)
John Gill to jump ship/get fired from Dundalk and take over Tolka.

[finnpark]

I was banned from the old shels forum for suggesting Ollie Byrne was incompetent and would never achieve anything and I also stated that Fenlon was not much better. So to you shels fans (all 3 of you0 -> :p

Good riddence to bad rubbish. Bye bye Shels. I seen the same thing happen to Barry Town in Wales. I can see Shels bottom of the league this year and eventually go out of existance. It was so obvious this was going to happen. They signed about 30 players, mostly crap, paid them good wages and dont have a fan base. The figures don't add up.

Now lets get that CL place and Setanta place off them before they make an almighty farce out of this league. :eek:

[dublin15bohs]

I was banned from the old shels forum for suggesting Ollie Byrne was incompetent and would never achieve anything and I also stated that Fenlon was not much better. So to you shels fans (all 3 of you0 -> :p

Good riddence to bad rubbish. Bye bye Shels. I seen the same thing happen to Barry Town in Wales. I can see Shels bottom of the league this year and eventually go out of existance. It was so obvious this was going to happen. They signed about 30 players, mostly crap, paid them good wages and dont have a fan base. The figures don't add up.

Now lets get that CL place and Setanta place off them before they make an almighty farce out of this league. :eek:

I second that

[finnpark]

May I just add that Derru fans should be very sceptical of having Fenlon as their manager. If you look at some of team formations in the past few years they were unbelievable. Also, his defence was crap from set pieces for 2 full seasons and could solve the problem.

[Gareth]

Its my Dad's months mind today. Its strange, my Shelbourne experience began with him and at this moment in time, feels like it could have died with him. Our last match together was Shels winning the league. I'd hate to have had him seen this demise of the club.

I ask people to remember a club is not just a man in charge, its people's lives and memories. Don't sink to jumping on a grave.

[BohsPartisan]

I can sympathise with that Gareth, I truelly can, but the Shels fans have let Ollie do this. You've all put your faith in him even when all of us here were saying that the figures didn't add up. We were called prophets of doom. You were happy to let Ollie stomp on our hopes and dreams as long as Shels were winning. It didn't matter that other clubs were bankrupting themselves trying to keep up. Obviously no one here wants to see another human being in pain, miserable with their memories and hopes and dreams crushed, but what way do you expect us to react. Ollie is like the Bill Sikes of Irish football and the sooner we are rid of him the better.
If you want to save Shels, go out there and do it. Start from scratch but above all things get rid of Ollie. Then people will have some respect for Shels fans. Then you can save the reputation of your club from the damage that man has done to it. Ollie is your enemy as well as ours. In fact even more so he's your enemy.

[CollegeTillIDie]

I can sympathise with that Gareth, I truelly can, but the Shels fans have let Ollie do this. You've all put your faith in him even when all of us here were saying that the figures didn't add up. We were called prophets of doom. You were happy to let Ollie stomp on our hopes and dreams as long as Shels were winning. It didn't matter that other clubs were bankrupting themselves trying to keep up. Obviously no one here wants to see another human being in pain, miserable with their memories and hopes and dreams crushed, but what way do you expect us to react. Ollie is like the Bill Sikes of Irish football and the sooner we are rid of him the better.
If you want to save Shels, go out there and do it. Start from scratch but above all things get rid of Ollie. Then people will have some respect for Shels fans. Then you can save the reputation of your club from the damage that man has done to it. Ollie is your enemy as well as ours. In fact even more so he's your enemy.


We are facing into a potentially very embarrassing situation as EL fans. That the reigning champions may not survive, as a club never mind a team, to defend their title.

[BohsPartisan]

But we could all see this coming. As far back as the days of JW's old forum we were talking about this possibility. People have turned a blind eye all the way to the top of the game in this country. Yes it is embarrassing but what would be more embarrassing would it being allowed to continue as it is.

[Gareth]

I think people that know the club know the way it was going, but how can you stop someone with 99% of the ownership. Its not a Rovers situation, its far far more complex.

[BohsPartisan]

I think people that know the club know the way it was going, but how can you stop someone with 99% of the ownership. Its not a Rovers situation, its far far more complex.

If it came to it, set up a new club. AFC Shelbourne or something like that. Do a Limerick or a Wimbledon.
Was there even one protest against Ollie?

[derrymac]

May I just add that Derru fans should be very sceptical of having Fenlon as their manager. If you look at some of team formations in the past few years they were unbelievable. Also, his defence was crap from set pieces for 2 full seasons and could solve the problem.

I agree but like most Derry fans we are giving him the benifit of the doubt. Shelbourne were poor against the top teams last year. We played them off the park in most of the matches. Fenlon's team selections were unusual at times.. Ndo would be missing which was always a sigh of relief from us.

It will be a nervy start to the season for us and i hope results don't go badly too soon. If we get a good start and the belief form last season is still there and we get momentum going it has the makings of a great year with Drogheda, St Pats, Bohs, Cork and ourselves all believing we can get something

[Gareth]

If it came to it, set up a new club. AFC Shelbourne or something like that. Do a Limerick or a Wimbledon.
Was there even one protest against Ollie?

Yes yes there was plenty of people trying. Dude, you talk about setting up a club like you do it as easy as having your cereal. I love the club I support. I don't wanna run a club though. Or create another club. I do not have sucker stamped on my forehead. Well I don't think I do.!!!

[GavinZac]

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't buy Stokes' whistle
Deny it all and hope things turn out for the best...

And...always look on the bright side of Shels...
Always look on the light side of Shels...

If life seems jolly rotten
Or registration you've forgotten
Just laugh and smile and dive and sing.
You cheated to be champs
You'll soon be homeless tramps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.

And...always look on the bright side of Shels...
Always look on the light side of Shels...

For footballs quite absurd
Liquidation's the final word
You must now face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Blame Ollie's delusion on crystal meth

So Shels will now be ****
Perhaps their accounts will be legit
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
We'll be laughing as you go
Always remember that the last laugh was on you.

And always look on the bright side of Shels...
Always look on the right side of Shels...
(Come on guys, cheer up! Its not like you had fans)
Always look on the bright side of Shels...
Always look on the bright side of Shels...
(Worse things happened to Rocky, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of Shels...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of Shels...

[Dr.Nightdub]

OK, gonna make a humungous effort here and get beyond the very justifiable urge to simply say "Told you so", and only cos I'm, err, not quite myself right now and kinda inclined to just a wee bit of peace and love, am also gonna make an ever more humungous effort as a Pats fan to get beyond an equally justifiable animosity to ALL things Shelbourne.

So...for the Shels fans who were loyal to their club purely cos it was THEIR team and not cos they were enthralled by its success, who went to Tolka simply cos it was Friday night, for those particular ones like maybe Gareth or Pete Goulding, who are suffering what none of us want to, just for them, I do actually feel sympathy. There but for the grace of...

But for the vast majority who, all along, were happy lemmings so dazzled by shiny silverware that they not alone didn't see the cliff they were heading for but wouldn't listen to warning shouts from onlookers? Sorry, no sympathy.

For Ollie Byrne? Are you kidding? It's too much fun watching.

For Shels the football club? I don't actually want them to die. I want them to be around for years just to be endlessly slaughtered by every team they play. In fact I would almost - only almost, mind - have to think about holding off for ANOTHER year on us winning the Cup, just if we could be the team that relegates Shels from their last EVER season in the Premier. Both would be better, obviously.

Selective sympathy for the real fans is the best I can do.

[Dr.Nightdub]

Outstanding, Gav. :D

[Dodge]

Yes yes there was plenty of people trying. Dude, you talk about setting up a club like you do it as easy as having your cereal. I love the club I support. I don't wanna run a club though. Or create another club. I do not have sucker stamped on my forehead. Well I don't think I do.!!!

You continued to volunteer for Shels despite your reservations? if you felt that strongly about how the club was being run would you not have worked so hard for them?

[mypost]

if i was a shels fan i would be specifically worried about the lack of a caretaker. in an emergency?

How about "rent-a-boss" Keely?? :confused: :rolleyes:

[BohsPartisan]

you talk about setting up a club like you do it as easy as having your cereal.

Not saying its easy but I think its the only way to save the Shels you love.


How about "rent-a-boss" Keely??

Did he not rule himself out?

[Dodge]

Strange that TV3 interviewed Andy King who apparently was just talking to Ollie, who hasn't offered him the job.

[BohsPartisan]

From the Indo:


Heary hands back trophy before making Tolka exit



Shelbourne captain Owen Heary celebrates with his team-mates as he lifts the eircom League trophy following his side's victory over Bohemians at Tolka Park last November



IT WAS a sad way to end his association with Shelbourne yet in some respects Owen Heary's final gesture as club captain was a fitting conclusion to a turbulent period.

When it became public knowledge yesterday that a tribunal had ruled that he could leave for pastures new as a free agent, Heary was left with the task of returning the league trophy to chief executive Ollie Byrne at Tolka Park.



The Rest (http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stories.php3?ca=12&si=1757480)

[BohDiddley]

Well-observed by Daniel McDonnell

Heary leaves with good memories, with unsurprisingly the Champions League run of 2004 where they progressed to a final qualifying round clash with Deportivo La Coruna sticking out above them all.

That was the year when 27,000 punters filled Lansdowne Road to support the men in red as they reached the brink of immortality.

Yet the reality is that only a minor percentage of that crowd were actually genuine Shelbourne supporters. The rest were a mixture of league enthusiasts from other clubs and typically Irish day trippers venturing outdoors to clamber onto the bandwagon.

[Ronnie]

Shels may have turned a corner now, and whilst 2007 may be a very difficult season for them with staying up possibly the height of their ambitions, they have savagely reduced their weekly outgoings, probably down by 25k a week.

[eamo1]

have stood up to ollie and tell him whats what.he seems to be a type of bully character,moaning till he gets his way.have the shels supporters club not demanded a meeting about all of this???would ollie even bother to acknowledge them i wonder.plus why arent the FAI putting pressure on ollie about all of this??????this situation is nearly as bad as limericks.how did shels get a licence?????how did they not get the lowest off the field points total from the IAG who surely knew all this was happening???hes got a relatively easy ride any time hes done an interview recently too,why????.the answer to most of these qs is that nobody seems prepared to stand up to ollie and explain to him a few truths.

[BohsPartisan]

Well-observed by Daniel McDonnell


I particularly like this bit

Chief executive Byrne is running out of options, claiming that pre-season training will start on Monday although with just five senior players remaining, you would imagine that a game to end the session will be out of the question. :D

[Dodge]

Petty stuff by McDonnelll IMo

[GuisaSaigon]

Getting back to the topic of the thread, the way I see it Shels cant survive unless Ollie Byrne goes, if he stays they will have to operate on an amateur basis and they will sink like a stone.
It seems that investors may be interested in Shels but don't want Ollie pulling the strings. With most top players signed up to other clubs for next season even if investors come on board I don't see how they can build a whole new squad in just over two months.
Shels gambled and tried to bluff their way to the big champions league payday and messed up. this should be a lesson to all other league clubs.

[harpskid]

Petty stuff by McDonnelll IMo

Yeah, hardly stuff worthy of printing in a national newspaper to be honest...