statement Re: Shamrock Rovers ground Problems

**Ringo** · 19/02/2004, 10:02 AM

Angry City reject accusations

18th February '04

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DUBLIN CITY FC has rejected claims that they are attempting to put Shamrock Rovers out of business because of their refusal to relocate to Dalymount Park.

Vikings Chief Executive Ronan Seery has reacted angrily to the claims and stated: " It's absolutely scurrilous and has nothing whatsoever to do with this club. We have been dragged into something that is really not of our making and we really shouldn't be put in a position where we have to defend ourselves in this matter."

A request had been made to Dublin City asking them to forego on their contract with Shelbourne FC to play out of Tolka Park thus allowing Shamrock Rovers to take up the spot created by us agreeing to vacate Tolka Park for the season and play out of Dalymount Park."

"Dublin City was approached last Thursday by interested parties inquiring if we would be agreeable to a move to Dalymount Park. Understanding the reason's behind the request a series of consultation meetings were held with management, players, fans and investors. Having canvassed the opinion of all parties, it was decided that in the best interests of Dublin City FC, basing ourselves out of Tolka Park in our natural fan base area was the correct thing to do. In light of determining this position, I relayed the decision to the relevant parties and informed them that this decision was based purely on footballing and not financial reasons. At no stage did Dublin City FC seek to benefit financially as a result of this approach to relocate. This decision was taken in light of the opinions garned from people who have put a to of time and effort into the development of this club and while we understand that Shamrock Rovers may be discommoded by our stance, we must do what is best for Dublin City FC.

We have nothing but respect for the management, players and directors of Shamrock Rovers but this decision has been taken in the best interests of Dublin City FC and not the best interests of Shamrock Rovers FC. For this, we make no apology and cannot be held responsible for historical or political pressures which have been brought to bear on this issue. We have been inadvertently dragged into a situation which is not of our making"

The coming season is of immense importance to Dublin City FC. The request to locate was considered but with much of our logistical pre-season work already underway and the mindset of the players focussed on Tolka Park as our home venue, the decision to operate out of Tolka Park was arrived at in a considered and measured way. This arrangement was put in place last March and was taken regardless of whether Dublin City was a first Division or Premier Division club.

We believe that we have a better chance of success on and off the pitch by basing ourselves out of Tolka. We also feel that there are alternative solution which could also be explored which could address the Shamrock Rovers issue in a beneficial way. As such we reject any notions which would hold us to ransom in telling us where we should or should not play our home games this season. We have put a lot of time and effort into ensuring best practice was in place and late approaches to move elsewhere do not help us as a club. We make no apologies for staying put in Tolka Park"

As first division champions we appreciate the huge effort it is going to take to make an impact in the Premier Division this season but Dublin City intends to give a thoroughly professional and committed showing this season and with all these elements considered, it was decided that in the best interests of the club, we should take up the arrangement which has been in place for close on a year.

http://www.dublincityfc.net/news.php?id=590

**TommyT** · 19/02/2004, 5:19 PM

Natural fan base area ???

What happened to the support base stretching form Bray to Balbriggan ???

If anything Dalymount with it's larger reception areas would be better suited to your purposes for investors sponsors etc. Apart from games against Bohs there I couldn't see a situation where you'd fill the Jodi.

Logistical pre-season work ???

''We also feel that there are alternative solution which could also be explored which could address the Shamrock Rovers issue in a beneficial way'' agree 100%, eg the FAI back down and allow both to play at Tolka.

Are Belgrove moving to Whitehall ?

**patsh** · 19/02/2004, 5:23 PM

No matter what anyone might say, Dublin City should in no way be dragged into, or try to be blamed for, the mess that Rovers are in.

**Ringo** · 19/02/2004, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by patsh
No matter what anyone might say, Dublin City should in no way be dragged into, or try to be blamed for, the mess that Rovers are in.

rovers failed to get a licence because they had no ground , why do rovers feel its everyone elses fault. Their over 18, about time they took responceability for themselves.

**Red_terror** · 19/02/2004, 11:08 PM

I don't see why other clubs should be put out by the actions of a **** board of directors. dublin city do right to reject this stupid idea and maybe when rovers are at their lowest ebb in dalymount then they will get their act together. the scum element even attmpted to pick fights at the ireland match so to say they are non existant is simply brushing the matter under the carpet. I would love to see a strong S.R.F.C but its their own fault that they have slipped since the 80's so let them deal with it

**liamon** · 20/02/2004, 8:38 AM

While I do feel that this problm is completely of SRFC's own making, I wouldn't go along with the tone of the messages above. It saddens me to see them slip like this. THe league needs them. It's not like there are loads of other clubs pushing to sign up and relace them if they fall apart. And they always draw a large crowd when they visit the X.

The league would be much poorer without them.

**fergalr** · 20/02/2004, 1:04 PM

Originally posted by liamon
While I do feel that this problm is completely of SRFC's own making, I wouldn't go along with the tone of the messages above.

Thanks for the sentiment.

As for some of the other comments, it makes a mockey of the whole "EL United" movement.

boynesider · 20/02/2004, 2:20 PM

interst by Shamrock Rovers to ground share with Drogheda United
? I think it would work out !

**Macy** · 20/02/2004, 3:03 PM

Bit rich when Cork insisted on wearing their home jersey's for that game last year...

**S�C** · 20/02/2004, 3:29 PM

Originally posted by Macy
Bit rich when Cork insisted on wearing their home jersey's for that game last year...

Insisted or just that Rovers (the board) never protested/voiced an opinion?

**fergalr** · 20/02/2004, 3:48 PM

Whatever you might say about Dolan, he is spot on here.

In its present precarious state, the EL stands or falls together. If Rovers end up going to the wall over this it'll be the last feckin time I'll "support the EL" by going to support the other local clubs in european games.

**patsh** · 20/02/2004, 4:31 PM

Originally posted by Macy
Bit rich when Cork insisted on wearing their home jersey's for that game last year...

Yeah, that will surely turn out the final nail in the coffin....

Clubs should help out Rovers, but no club should get grief for looking out for themselves first.

**TommyT** · 20/02/2004, 4:47 PM

Originally posted by Ringo
rovers failed to get a licence because they had no ground , why do rovers feel its everyone elses fault. Their over 18, about time they took responceability for themselves.

Only an idiot would say it was EVERYONE else's fault when the two other clubs agreed and Continuity Home Farm wouldn't. BTW since you haven't answered it I take it you agree that insisting on Tolka makes a mockery of the whole ''we're not Home Farm'' thing.

**Ringo** · 20/02/2004, 5:32 PM

Originally posted by TommyT
Only an idiot would say it was EVERYONE else's fault when the two other clubs agreed and Continuity Home Farm wouldn't. BTW since you haven't answered it I take it you agree that insisting on Tolka makes a mockery of the whole ''we're not Home Farm'' thing.

I've never said its everyone elses fault, its Rovers fault. Dublin City do not own a ground Pats , bohs etc do. Not quite sure what your last comment is. But we've been playing at Whitehall for most of the time we've been formed, so Tolka does make sence to our fan base. Thats why last March we signed a contract to lay there. Believe me, Home Farm were delighted to see the back of us. You could see the disgust on the faces as we won Match after match, last season. When we won the division last year, Home farm weren't rolling out any champagne. Do you not think Rovers board should have sorted something out before applying for a licence. Its like going for an NCT we 4 bald tyres and no bulbs, there was no way they could get a licence. Ask yourself the question, why won't clubs in Dublin rent their grounds to Rovers

**Ringo** · 20/02/2004, 5:37 PM

Originally posted by fergalr
Whatever you might say about Dolan, he is spot on here.

In its present precarious state, the EL stands or falls together. If Rovers end up going to the wall over this it'll be the last feckin time I'll "support the EL" by going to support the other local clubs in european games.

Its hard enough to run our own clubs, without having to run Rovers as well. Dolan wouldn't be falling over himeself to rent out "the stadium of light" if he was still there. Why doesn't he rent out Turners X to them.

**TommyT** · 22/02/2004, 12:33 AM

Originally posted by TommyT
[B]Natural fan base area ???

What happened to the support base stretching form Bray to Balbriggan ???

If anything Dalymount with it's larger reception areas would be better suited to your purposes for investors sponsors etc. Apart from games against Bohs there I couldn't see a situation where you'd fill the Jodi.
[B]

That's what you never answered

Originally posted by Ringo
[B] (a)I've never said its everyone elses fault
(b)But we've been playing at Whitehall for most of the time we've been formed, so Tolka does make sence to our fan base.
[B]

(a)Your saying Rovers are blaming ''everyone else'' I just pointed out that everyone else apart from Dublin City had been very helpful
(b)Fan Base ??????????
FFS you're talking about 30 people max. If Tolka is handy then so is Dalymount (I live about 1.5 miles away)

Originally posted by Ringo
[B]Dolan wouldn't be falling over himeself to rent out "the stadium of light" if he was still there. Why doesn't he rent out Turners X to them.
[B]

He did and he already has. Kind of.

**Gary** · 22/02/2004, 1:01 AM

[SIZE=8]FINALLY, A SOLUTION FOR ROVERS[/SIZE]

Go get a ground or else just fcuk off and stop annoying everyone.

**Ringo** · 23/02/2004, 6:58 AM

Originally posted by TommyT
That's what you never answered

(a)Your saying Rovers are blaming ''everyone else'' I just pointed out that everyone else apart from Dublin City had been very helpful
(b)Fan Base ??????????
FFS you're talking about 30 people max. If Tolka is handy then so is Dalymount (I live about 1.5 miles away)

He did and he already has. Kind of.

A) how have they been helpful? suggesting Dublin City move!
b) no one in EL can slag of fan bases.
c) What is kink of??

You still have not answered, why the board of rovers did not sort out a ground before applying for a licence?

**Macy** · 23/02/2004, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by Gary
Go get a ground or else just fcuk off and stop annoying everyone.

Surely you mean get use of a ground.... Most other clubs don't own their own ground, they rent it.....

Besides in this thread, it's a bit rich when the club that are blocking Tolka are a club that have made no effort or spent no money trying to sort out their own ground at all. Could be argued that while their first division challengers were trying to at least have plans in place if they got promoted (eg Bray with the new stand, Harps with the new ground) Home Farm just took the easy and cheap option...

**Ringo** · 23/02/2004, 11:51 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Macy
Surely you mean get use of a ground.... Most other clubs don't own their own ground, they rent it.....

Besides in this thread, it's a bit rich when the club that are blocking Tolka are a club that have made no effort or spent no money trying to sort out their own ground at all. Could be argued that while their first division challengers were trying to at least have plans in place if they got promoted (eg Bray with the new stand, Harps with the new ground) Home Farm just took the easy and cheap option... [/QUOE]

How are we blocking Tolka?. We signed a lease last year, because we knew that whitehall would not pass the UFEA licence. Shamrock Rovers did fcuk all & now its everyone elses fault.
Have you seen the price of land in Dublin?

As regards Home Farm, they have no interest in what we do & we have no interest in what they do. Considering Dublin City is only up & running in the last 3 years we've done rather well.