http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/De...-FC.5350727.jp
Just saw this on the LL website
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http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/De...-FC.5350727.jp
Just saw this on the LL website
No comment.
Just found out today about the club being on it's last legs. How ironic that it's around the same time that the guy who f**ked up Limerick soccer has died too. That's about as much as I'll say.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
He wasn't alone in 'ruining' Limerick soccer, and to be fair, he deserves some credit for other positive things that happened under his ownership. However, he did some awful things for personal gain and glory and those will not be forgotten. Most of ye are too young to remember his time at the club and remark on 'hand me down' information, but his legacy is not a good one.
For me, if a blame game is to be apportioned to who really destroyed football in this city, I would refer to a certain priest, a deceased detective sergeant and a current board member. I'm sure Gary Spain will know who I refer to.
Yeah - I'll b einterested in Gary's views if he posts on this.
When we entered the League, I think Pat Grace was running the show & whatever about off the field, on it the Limerick representatives were always to be feared and respected. Usually at least 3 or 4 class footballers in the ranks and respectable names in the dug out.
We also got a couple of good players from the Limerick area who were no longer good enough to get a start at the Markets Field, but who walked on to our team, Des Kennedy and George Quinlivan come to mind.
Pat Grace was a very easy target for Dunphy ('the chicken league' etc. etc.), but at least he provided sponsorship to what even then was a game diminishing in popularity & he lasted much longer in the domestic game than Dunphy who has contributed precious little to it since his return from England.
There are obviously very strong feelings about him in Limerick, but I hope he rests in peace.
RIP Pat.
My tuppence worth
I think Pat's heart was in the right place. Unfortunately he got rid of some people who were involved for the love of the club and kept/allowed in some folks who robbed him blind.
Unfortunately the club went from having a number of people running it to being the Pat & Ann show. This was really evident when he pulled out. The club was very wealthy in the 80's. The lotto was bringing in £5K per week at its height. The bar also generated a lot of revenue. This was never invested in facilities which would have sustained the club. The people robbing the money were well known and were still allowed to get away with it. Pat was clearly a smart businessman and made a lot of money for himself and I can't believe he would have allowed these people near his fast food outlets. One guy bought a house for cash.
The club has never really recovered from that period. The Graces left the club with debts and high liabilities. It has been a hand to mouth exercise since then. The bar being burned down and uninsured was a major blow as well.