Athlone may "drop out of League of Ireland football for the foreseeable future"

[oriel]

Correct Brian

[sligored]

i really hope athlone pull through. a great soccer town. its a no win situation because their presence in one top division will do them more harm than good because the likes of kildare monaghan athlone and mervue dont have the financial clout to compete and they would get stuffed week in week out. There must be a holy grail for well run clubs and putting substandard teams will only diminish the quality.

what can we do with the first division?

[brianw82]

what can we do with the first division?

As much as the constant complaints of no MNS coverage from supporters of FD teams annoyed me during the year, I'm coming to the conclusion that it must be featured on MNS next year to a certain degree. Maybe one feature match a week? It'd be a boost to all concerned.

[Raheny Red]

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..

We encountered no difficulties last term

[brianw82]

We encountered no difficulties last term

He's probably talking about Kildare, and the large amount of Dundalk fans that travelled for the last game.

What's a 'large amount' though? 300 would be the maximum that any PD team would bring anywhere bar special occasions (local derbies, etc.)

[holidaysong]

We encountered no difficulties last term

Hence the reason I didn't say all first division clubs..

He's probably talking about Kildare, and the large amount of Dundalk fans that travelled for the last game.

What's a 'large amount' though? 300 would be the maximum that any PD team would bring anywhere bar special occasions (local derbies, etc.)

Somewhere like Jackman Park just isn't up to hosting premier division matches. Requirements like having a certain number of seats and having segregation and providing facilites like separate food stalls for away fans - Jackman Park just wouldn't be up to it.. Imagine Jackman Park hosting a premier division match between Limerick and Cork? It'd be a disaster..

[MMVIII]

Really hope Athlone can make it through this, although it looks doubtful, but heres hoping.

Fond memories of going to watch Athlone in St Mels Park when i was a kid. Nicest chips ever

[L37Ultra]

Hence the reason I didn't say all first division clubs..



Somewhere like Jackman Park just isn't up to hosting premier division matches. Requirements like having a certain number of seats and having segregation and providing facilites like separate food stalls for away fans - Jackman Park just wouldn't be up to it.. Imagine Jackman Park hosting a premier division match between Limerick and Cork? It'd be a disaster..

First of all, it looks unlikely that Limerick will be playing in Jackman Park next season.

Secondaly, Jackman Park hosted Limerick and Cork in the FAI Cup this season and it was far from a disaster.

[holidaysong]

First of all, it looks unlikely that Limerick will be playing in Jackman Park next season.

I didn't know that.

Secondaly, Jackman Park hosted Limerick and Cork in the FAI Cup this season and it was far from a disaster.

The FAI cup isn't the same though. You don't have the same requirements for individual seats etc. in that that you do in the Premier Division. I'm not picking on Limerick by the way, I'm sure there are other grounds in the First Division that wouldn't have enough seats or be able to have proper segregation..

[fionnsci]

First of all, it looks unlikely that Limerick will be playing in Jackman Park next season.

Will they be playing in Hogan Park? Is it much of an improvement?

[Martinho II]

Nope. League was founded in 1921, we joined the year after. We did play in the first Free State Cup though, and won that in 1924.

thats where i got confused thanks for pointing that out atfconline..

i might go to the meeting as a neutral can I turn up at it??

[atfconline]

Well by its nature, it's going to be an open meeting, so I can't imagine there will be anyone on the door spotting for LTFC fans (which of course there should be).

[Ash]

But you'll have to swear allegience to the memory of Orlando Robert Coote and
renounce the devil and all other Longford related products

See ya there Marty

[Réiteoir]

"Do you rennounce Section O and all it's works?"

[Battery Rover]

Can people text Midlands 103 with a call for people to support tonights meeting and keeping Athlone Town in LOI Football

Send your texts to 083 30 10 103

[L37Ultra]

Can people text Midlands 103 with a call for people to support tonights meeting and keeping Athlone Town in LOI Football

Send your texts to 083 30 10 103

Done

[LK37oldskool]

Will they be playing in Hogan Park? Is it much of an improvement?

More likely to be the Markets Field (Greyhound Track).its the spiritual home of soccer in Limerick.Have'nt used that pitch since the late 80s.Much better facilities......hopefully!

[L37Ultra]

Will they be playing in Hogan Park? Is it much of an improvement?

Nope. Market's Fields.

See here

[Jofspring]

More likely to be the Markets Field (Greyhound Track).its the spiritual home of soccer in Limerick.Have'nt used that pitch since the late 80s.Much better facilities......hopefully!

Only thing missing is floodlights and dressing rooms, which mean day time matches.

[Réiteoir]

Only thing missing is floodlights and dressing rooms, which mean day time matches.

Licensing states that stadia MUST have floodlights though - no lights mean you can only compete in the A-Championship, not the League