2014 League of Ireland.

**Charlie Darwin** · 05/01/2014, 1:52 AM

It's hard to know how popular Rovers B will be - a lot probably depends on the strength of the squad. The novelty value might be quite high, added to the general enthusiasm on the opening day, but if it's all U19s and lower FD standard players it might not be a huge draw. Same goes for the Rovers fans - if the A side aren't playing the same night, you might get a decent travelling crowd depending on the strength of the team. An away game against Longford on a Saturday night, if the A team are playing the night before or down in Munster, would be an attractive trip for a lot of people.

**Ezeikial** · 05/01/2014, 8:48 AM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

What more do you want Athlone to do for you to take us seriously ha

For you to stop the "ha" at the end of every post

**nigel-harps1954** · 05/01/2014, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

Had to laugh. Galway and Rovers youth team are bigger draws than us. Ok Nigel. Still have your bitterness towards us

We clearly showed 2nd half of last season that if we can do well we have big potential as a club. What more do you want Athlone to do for you to take us seriously ha

Well, that's not what I meant, but since you want to take your ridiculous agenda further, what I said was, Shelbourne bigger than Athlone, Galway over Mervue, and Shamrock Rovers B over Salthilll. But hey, if you want to believe that I have an agenda against Athlone, if it helps you sleep at night, then be my guest.

Your petty snipes really annoy me though. Besides, all three of those teams will arguably draw bigger crowds than Athlone at Finn Park anyway.

**ATFC-1887** · 05/01/2014, 3:48 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

For you to stop the "ha" at the end of every post

no ha

**Dodge** · 06/01/2014, 1:09 AM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

Had to laugh. Galway and Rovers youth team are bigger draws than us.

In what way do you think Athlone were a draw last year? Seriously?

**ATFC-1887** · 06/01/2014, 1:13 AM

Well most of the other 7 teams biggest gates of the season was when they played us. Just cant understand how playing Galway (mervue/salthill mix) and a rovers youth team is any attraction.

**Charlie Darwin** · 06/01/2014, 2:32 AM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

Well most of the other 7 teams biggest gates of the season was when they played us. Just cant understand how playing Galway (mervue/salthill mix) and a rovers youth team is any attraction.

You're seriously misinformed about Galway football if you think Galway FC is just a merger of two barely-supported suburban junior teams.

Longford and Waterford's two biggest gates were for Athlone - both were for critical games at the end of the season where they were challenging for the title/play-off spots, and obviously Longford's biggest game will be their next door neighbour in a crucial end-season match. The other one was Salthill and god knows where they pluck their attendances from. You're hardly the biggest draw in the league, otherwise Harps wouldn't have attracted twice as many people when Longford came to town.

**ATFC-1887** · 06/01/2014, 2:47 AM

They didnt? When Longford played them mid season the attendance was 400. When we played them mid season the attendance was 436

Mervues biggest gates was also against us Not that it really matters.

**Charlie Darwin** · 06/01/2014, 3:02 AM

Harps' biggest attendance was 723 v Longford. They didn't play Longford at home mid-season. Mervue's biggest was 1,000+ for the playoff.

**ATFC-1887** · 06/01/2014, 4:06 AM

Apologies, but anyways Harps played them 2nd home game of the season. When they were expecting to challenge for the league. We played them in June when they were effectively out of the title race. Cant really compare crowds when ya take that into account. And as for Mervue, the attendance of the 1st leg in Mervue was 607. Not 1000+. Their attendance against us near the end of the season was 700 and something.

**Charlie Darwin** · 06/01/2014, 4:10 AM

You know what? You're right, I'm wrong. I look forward to Rovers hosting Athlone at a packed out Aviva in May.

**tippex** · 06/01/2014, 10:59 AM

I know all discussion is frowned upon.
But Bray are today labelled a joke shop in the mirror (apparently a former player from last seasons squad is quoted) no way to narrow it down as I am sure most feel that way.

**ATFC-1887** · 06/01/2014, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

You know what? You're right, I'm wrong. I look forward to Rovers hosting Athlone at a packed out Aviva in May.

But i am

**sadloserkid** · 06/01/2014, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

We played them in June when they were effectively out of the title race. Cant really compare crowds when ya take that into account.

By the same criteria (or opposite criteria I suppose really?) all your crowds in the second half of the season are irrelevant as you were pushing for the title by then. It's hardly a true reflection of your real 'average' crowd (if such a thing exists).

**nigel-harps1954** · 06/01/2014, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

Apologies, but anyways Harps played them 2nd home game of the season. When they were expecting to challenge for the league. We played them in June when they were effectively out of the title race. Cant really compare crowds when ya take that into account. And as for Mervue, the attendance of the 1st leg in Mervue was 607. Not 1000+. Their attendance against us near the end of the season was 700 and something.

A very poor memory.

If it wasn't for two or three big attendance at the end of the season, Athlone average attendance would have been 400. Don't call them a big draw, as they weren't for anyone.
I have statistics to back it up too before you bark on about it.

When Harps played Athlone on June 8th, Harps were 2 points ahead of Athlone. Very far out of the title race indeed. It was that loss that saw us start to fall down the table. We were in 2nd place at the time, and going well, yet the visit of Athlone drew our then worst home crowd of the season by 150 people. A real big draw.

I'll get the stats out for the rest of the teams too if you want?

**ATFC-1887** · 06/01/2014, 1:00 PM

Never said we were "a big draw". Read what i say before you comment.

You claim that was your worst crowd by 150 people??
If you look at your attendances, the crowds were declining week by week before ye played us and continued to do so after ye played us.

And as for stats on the other teams?? Im looking at all the official attendance stats right now! What can you show me that i can't already see.

**bluewhitearmy** · 06/01/2014, 1:18 PM

Originally Posted by tippex

I know all discussion is frowned upon.
But Bray are today labelled a joke shop in the mirror (apparently a former player from last seasons squad is quoted) no way to narrow it down as I am sure most feel that way.

Is there any news on if ye will even be around next season?

**wandererfan** · 06/01/2014, 2:00 PM

Originally Posted by bluewhitearmy

Is there any news on if ye will even be around next season?

yes the club is safe. dont know where these rumours of the club going bang are coming from. there are changes behind the scenes and thats all i can say

**Dodge** · 06/01/2014, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by wandererfan

yes the club is safe. dont know where these rumours of the club going bang are coming from. there are changes behind the scenes and thats all i can say

They came from people believeing Devlin is retiring/leaving and the underklying belief of many that B*** are in trouble if/when he goes.

Good to hear that at least one of those believes is wrong

**nigel-harps1954** · 06/01/2014, 3:08 PM

Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

Never said we were "a big draw". Read what i say before you comment.

"Well most of the other 7 teams biggest gates of the season was when they played us".

Not insinuating that you were the biggest draw last season at all.

You claim that was your worst crowd by 150 people??

Read what I say before you comment.

If you look at your attendances, the crowds were declining week by week before ye played us and continued to do so after ye played us.

As I said, we only got 12 points for the rest of the season after we played Athlone in June. Attendances were hardly going to increase.

And as for stats on the other teams?? Im looking at all the official attendance stats right now! What can you show me that i can't already see.

Cobhs biggest attendance was Wexford.
Harps biggest league attendance was Longford.
Longfords biggest was Athlone. In a local derby game.
Mervues biggest was Athlone. Both teams chasing a league title.
Salthill didn't even have attendances. Every single one was below 200. Anyone that went was away fans.
Waterfords highest was Wexford.
Wexfords highest was Waterford.

Only 3 teams had Athlone, the league champions, as their highest attendance. 3 teams didn't even have them as their second highest attendance.

Also very nice of you to completely avoid the rest of my previous post that also proved you wrong. Now, anything else to strengthen my Athlone agenda?