According to this post on their website:
http://www.athlonetownfc.ie/?p=447#more-447
So, put simply, if the fans don't come up with a plan and the money Monday, that's that. What a pity this situation has come up after the club worked so hard for such a fine ground. Just goes to show; the "build it and they will come" analogy is a load of rubbish.
Lads, there might not be so many clubs about next season at this stage. This is turning into a joke.
Covered in the financial whatyoumaycallits thread.
And yes it is a shame.
As for there being a tiny amount of clubs, I feel a fudge coming on
The spectre of a one Division League looms ever larger...
Would be a very bad day for the league if it lost a provincial club like Athlone.
Their appeal and 'ultimatim' does all seem a bit last minute though. At what point during the amassing of a €300k deficit did they start to think they might be in a bit of bother ? :confused:
I hope the club are over-egging the jeopardy aspect to create a sense of urgency around their plight, but this isn't good news even if they are.
Class.Quote:
Originally Posted by Réiteoir
Have you been to Jackman Park?? :eek: :D
One of my first thoughts aswell.Quote:
I hope the club are over-egging the jeopardy aspect to create a sense of urgency around their plight
Here's hoping eh......
Yes they're our local rivals but I'd hate to see them drop out. They've had some great moments down the years too.
If we were panicking at 100K of debt, you do have to wonder what a club from a similarly-sized town were thinking when amassing 300K of debt.
Whatever happens I can't see there being a one division league. A lot of first division grounds just aren't up to catering for large amounts of fans from well supported premier division teams.. At worst, I'm sure we'll get enough teams for two divisions of 10..
Athlone are not the only club in bother, at least 3 other first div sides are stuggling and calling for the season to be cut.
At Tuesdays meeting, 3 first division clubs called for each team to play each other twice leaving only 22 game season.
When it was suggested they also wanted out of the League cup and said they would not participate in a League sheild competition.
If its come to a stage where they feel they can only pay out for 22 games a season and no cup competitions then its painting a bleak picture.
Who are these three teams?
I'd say Wexford Youths for certain. Wallace has been making noises about this for ages. Obviously missing the point that the extra home games should be bringing in extra income and that semi-pro and pro teams will have contracts for full year rather than just for season. I suppose Wallace would see the first division as going fully amateur, but, that then makes the step up to, even a semi-pro, premier division extremely difficult.Quote:
Originally Posted by dapman1
I was under the impression that he said this because of repetition, ie. playing the likes of Kildare County 4 times a season is a bit much. I wasn't aware that he mentioned costs as the cause of this.Quote:
I'd say Wexford Youths for certain. Wallace has been making noises about this for ages.
Player burn out and costs were what was driving him. He fails to acknowledge that he contributes greatly to this player burn out by ignoring and alienating pretty much all the older players in the squad, leaving him playing the same lads in under 18, 20 and first division games. It's the most frustrating thing about Wallace to be honest.Quote:
Originally Posted by brianw82
Were you at the meeting?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Battery Rover
Nope but we did have 2 representitives from the club there.
Was there myself and saw your two representatives. Thought i would put a face to your nameQuote:
Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy
Bad idea when you're talking about Sam I'm afraid.Quote:
Originally Posted by Battery Rover
:cool:
I really really don't understand that attitude.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy
Decide to pay players, say, E5k a season, and then divide that over however many weeks are in the season.
22 game seasons, among other things, means the season's hardly on before it's over, and it's easier for it - and the entire club - to get overlooked.
Well its more to do with other, non wage, expenses. 22 games means only 11 away games. The implication is that gates would barely cover expenses for home games (security etc)Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Who were the three teams calling for a shorter season then?Quote:
Originally Posted by Battery Rover