Stadium shambles leaves Rovers facing League KO

[Troy.McClure]

Maguire's quoted in the Irish Times as saying the ground is 60% complete - surely this is nonsense? Apparently the pitch is "second to none" as well... Article mentions that the council gave Rovers a very good deal on the land on the grounds that it was for a sports facility, so it's very hard to argue against their decision really.

Well most of a stand is up, there doesnt look like much else needs to be done to it + the pitch looks immaculate, it'll be the best in the premier, Ive no doubt about that.

i hope rovers stay in existance too so that the city fans can kick the **** out of there ultras yet again!!!!

The number 16 goes to the Morton doesnt it?

[pineapple stu]

Well most of a stand is up, there doesn't look like much else needs to be done to it + the pitch looks immaculate, it'll be the best in the premier, I've no doubt about that.

They're ultimately planning on building four stands, though. Phase 1 may just about be 60% complete, but the stadium certainly isn't. The stand that's there still needs a roof and seats. The turnstiles look fairly incomplete as well. Are there changing rooms or anything like that? There aren't any floodlights yet (from the photos on a previous thread here). This is from observations while driving past it occasionally (apart from the floodlights obviously), but it sounds like Maguire's talking nonsense again.

Even if they do get in, getting the next three phases up could be almost as painful as getting in there in the first place.

[exile]

i think the bottom line here is not wether people would like to be rid of rovers or not but is should they be punished for their boards incompetence other wise how long is the circus going to keep running maybe a spell in the first division might be a wake up call to get their house in order

[joeSoap]

i hope rovers stay in existance too so that the city fans can kick the **** out of there ultras yet again!!!!

Can someone consider banning this dick....what kind of a comment is that??

[trevy]

What an awful mess.I do hope Shamrock Rovers get this sorted out.Its been a terrible saga from the start and shows the lack of money and poor running of Irish football that its dragged on so long.Its a lesson to other clubs too planning to move to new grounds on how not to do things.

[Macy]

WAR - never mind that last post from the Town fan, I'm a Town fan and really hope you can get this sorted.

I think WAR is well aware that one or two dicks don't represent the entire town support.

I don't know the people involved but to be able to keep the club going while all this is going on is a major achievement. Slag them off alright, but what do these people get out of it, would they not be happy to walk away if there was a viable alternative?

It's their continued mismanagement that has the club in the state it's in now. The boards since Tallaght was announced have been either incompetent or too interested in getting a nice property portfolio for their company.

[Comic Book Guy]

Have to say that it's a great pity to see Rovers in this way, oddly enough I always had time for them, probably something to do with the **** they had to put up with off the field over the years, and they still have a good hardcore of support, I wonder how many of the supporters of other clubs who have had a go at them today would have a club to support if their own club had gone through the same thing over the past 17 years, I have to admire Rovers' fans resilience but I am sure even that must be wearing thin.

[Slash/ED]

Even if they do get in, getting the next three phases up could be almost as painful as getting in there in the first place.

I'm not so sure, they'll at least stop wasting money on renting other grounds by then and should be earning revenue from the completed stand, the hard part is getting the first part up and that's looking close to impossible right now.

[mypost]

I think the club is a haven for thugs and anti-social behaviour. Im personally sick of the havoc threy wreak when they travel to places like Longford for away games.

Woe, woe, woe, hold on a minute, steady on!!

I have been at all, bar 1 of our away games in Longford since January 2002. For the majority of our visits there, there has been no trouble of any sort, between both sets of fans. There was a minor (by Rovers standards) incident at half time of the first league game there last season, when your stewards wouldn't allow some of our fans change ends. There then followed a short scuffle involving a section of both teams fans, and the stewards, of which a fan from both sides was taken away. That was completely avoidable. Then at the second league game there, there was a short standoff, involving one of your stewards, who for some reason, was harassing one of our fans, and other fans wanted to see what was going on. That's all it was, not "havoc". We don't even slag off your fans, or club when we play you.

I would also like to point out, that Longford fans, and people, are very friendly, and welcoming, and we usually don't have any problems down there. Yours is one of my favourite away grounds to visit, and they are a model club to look up to. So don't exaggerate minor problems with a section of our support in the past.

Also, we are not a "haven for thugs". While our fans are not angels, only a small minority cause aggro. Our fans come from all over Dublin. The vast majority come to simply watch the team play, but they all passionately support the club, all over the country, even through some very dark days for us, as they are now. Most clubs fans don't know what it feels like to have to hold vigils outside grounds, go to Cork for "home" matches, or being pushed around Dublin just to find somewhere to play matches, or to have to use 14 training grounds in half a season, or being unable to pay wages, nor would we want them to experience what's happened to us. Just be grateful that your club has somewhere to play, that you can pay your wages on time and in order, and have the basic things that a club needs to survive, instead of continuing to kick us when we're down.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Woe, woe, woe, hold on a minute, steady on!!

I have been at all, bar 1 of our away games in Longford since January 2002. For the majority of our visits there, there has been no trouble of any sort, between both sets of fans. There was a minor (by Rovers standards) incident at half time of the first league game there last season, when your stewards wouldn't allow some of our fans change ends. There then followed a short scuffle involving a section of both teams fans, and the stewards, of which a fan from both sides was taken away. That was completely avoidable. Then at the second league game there, there was a short standoff, involving one of your stewards, who for some reason, was harassing one of our fans, and other fans wanted to see what was going on. That's all it was, not "havoc". We don't even slag off your fans, or club when we play you.

I would also like to point out, that Longford fans, and people, are very friendly, and welcoming, and we usually don't have any problems down there. Yours is one of my favourite away grounds to visit, and they are a model club to look up to. So don't exaggerate minor problems with a section of our support in the past.

Also, we are not a "haven for thugs". While our fans are not angels, only a small minority cause aggro. Our fans come from all over Dublin. The vast majority come to simply watch the team play, but they all passionately support the club, all over the country, even through some very dark days for us, as they are now. Most clubs fans don't know what it feels like to have to hold vigils outside grounds, go to Cork for "home" matches, or being pushed around Dublin just to find somewhere to play matches, or to have to use 14 training grounds in half a season, or being unable to pay wages, nor would we want them to experience what's happened to us. Just be grateful that your club has somewhere to play, that you can pay your wages on time and in order, and have the basic things that a club needs to survive, instead of continuing to kick us when we're down.

A move to Drogheda is better than going out of existence, even fielding an all amateur team would be better than going out of existence. Good luck in United Park.... as for Shedender..... ignore him. It is people of his ilk who have racially abused el players in the past.

[Clones Road Cas]

Id rather see Rovers in the premier than Longford.
You obviously brand all their supporters with the same stick ?

I'M Suprised at you dortie, prefer Rovers to Longford. I dont like the tenor of that Longford fans email, but in fairness there are few teams i would prefer to see in the premier league. A team which has developed from f**k all to being a progressive club with good results ( a cup double) , regular european football and an impressive stadium.

We are always complaining about the FAI and every one else being unprofessional in this league. Longford are a well managed club in terms of finances, facilities and playing staff. Rovers on the other hand have been run by clowns. nearly 20 years without a ground despite having a solid core support. If Dublin City can stay in existence and get promoted as a Dublin Club with very few fans, how is it Rovers cannot manage to get a home together, cannot get a decent team together despite having a corfe of committed fans.

I dont want rovers gone, Id love to see the fans topple the board and if they have to go part time as a result to get the stadium finished and build from there, big deal. But in a NATIONAL league, the most dramatic success story since inception is Longford Town.

Clones Road Casual

[Passive]

If Dublin City can stay in existence and get promoted as a Dublin Club with very few fans, how is it Rovers cannot manage to get a home together, cannot get a decent team together despite having a corfe of committed fans.

Fair point about Rovers being run by clowns for the last twenty years. However, DC don't have a ground either and have only been in existence for three (?) years. I'd be very surprised to see them still polluting the league in five, let alone twenty, years time. As regards getting a decent team together, we won the league in '94 and spent most of the last decade as a solid midtable club (impressive finishes considering we had very little income and were renting off our rivals). We've managed to get into Europe three times over the past few years, so we didn't do too badly on the field. Off the field, however, leaves much to be desired. Rovers rented the RDS from 1990 - 1996 and then immediately launched the Tallaght plan. That we aren't in Tallaght at this stage is largely down to gross incompetence.

[Clones Road Cas]

Fair point about Rovers being run by clowns for the last twenty years. However, DC don't have a ground either and have only been in existence for three (?) years. I'd be very surprised to see them still polluting the league in five, let alone twenty, years time. As regards getting a decent team together, we won the league in '94 and spent most of the last decade as a solid midtable club (impressive finishes considering we had very little income and were renting off our rivals). We've managed to get into Europe three times over the past few years, so we didn't do too badly on the field. Off the field, however, leaves much to be desired. Rovers rented the RDS from 1990 - 1996 and then immediately launched the Tallaght plan. That we aren't in Tallaght at this stage is largely down to gross incompetence.

Point accepted about Europe, but i spent many years watching Bohs v Shells games growing up in Milltown and Rovers were unbeatable. A couple of Inter Toto runs is hardly earth shattering, however i was probably a bit harsh.

This year how many points were you away from visiting us in Century Homes Park next year. In any other season you would be at best in a play off.

My point was thought that if you get rid of the board you deserve to survive, if not well (not to sound to mean) tough. They seem hell bent on putting you to the wall. People talk about investors in the clubs, the real investors are people who have over their lives spent thousands on tickets, draws, merchandise, pints in the bar etc.

CRC

[mypost]

DC have only been in existence for three (?) years. I'd be very surprised to see them still polluting the league in five, let alone twenty, years time.

They have been in existence for over 30 years, under a variety of different names. They call themselves under an acting name now, no doubt it will change again when Carrolls go. But whatever they call themselves, they still remain Home Farm, often relegated, and promoted in a "yo-yo" fashion. They are an amateur club with no ambition in senior football, almost no fan base, which has never changed despite their various name changes down through the years. They would be better suited to junior football, given their status, but nowhere near the Premier Division of Irish football.

[mypost]

Point accepted about Europe. A couple of Inter Toto runs is hardly earth shattering, however i was probably a bit harsh.

My point was thought that if you get rid of the board you deserve to survive, if not well (not to sound to mean) tough. They seem hell bent on putting you to the wall. People talk about investors in the clubs, the real investors are people who have over their lives spent thousands on tickets, draws, merchandise, pints in the bar etc.

What else can we do, to get rid of a board who treat us the way they have. They already know what we think of them, and they continue to treat us the same as before. We're only the fans who pay over the odds to watch us go 16 games without a win, lose a manager, listen to endless talk about strikes by players because of overdue wages, not to mention having to listen to endless false dawns about what direction the club is going, and the never-ending move to a new stadium, that ain't finished yet, with hopelessly wild predictions on when we can play in it.

Yes, you were harsh regarding our participation in Europe. Not everyone can beat Hajduk Split. However, we've been to Poland and won, the Czech Republic, and Sweden in European games in the last couple of years. The nearest Monaghan get to Europe, is their annual trek to Cobh every season.

[thecorner]

i hope rovers stay in existance too so that the city fans can kick the **** out of there ultras yet again!!!!

theres one muppet born every day

[Clones Road Cas]

The nearest Monaghan get to Europe, is their annual trek to Cobh every season.

Oooh Touche. Have to give you that one. But we own our own ground and have no debts and thankfully far lower expectations of success.

Still smiling at the Cobh line though.

[Éanna]

Most clubs fans don't know what it feels like to have to hold vigils outside grounds, go to Cork for "home" matches, or being pushed around Dublin just to find somewhere to play matches, or to have to use 14 training grounds in half a season, or being unable to pay wages, nor would we want them to experience what's happened to us.

brilliantly put. When it comes down to it, everyone loves to hate Rovers. And much as we may say we hate them, you've got to admire their fans who've stuck by them like they have. I really hope ye get rid of maguire etc and get things sorted- if nothing else, the real rovers fans deserve it.

[Éanna]

Originally Posted by Shed resident
i hope rovers stay in existance too so that the city fans can kick the **** out of there ultras yet again!!!!

Can someone consider banning this dick....what kind of a comment is that??

I'll start by rubbishing the post. that kind of crap is totally unwelcome here, or anywhere else in civilised society

[anto eile]

jamaican pm youre an ignorant fool.
gspain youre right,football wouldnt be the same if the teams you hate ceased to exist
shed resident youre an idiot

as for homefarm fans:far be it from dublin farm fans to begrudge Rovers.
youre a franchise. that to real football people makes you a ******* whore of a club. it might work in american throwball or basketball but sports franchising will never work in football.look at milton keynes dons,chf are no better.
IF you wanted to be taken seriously you should have started football in the leinster football league and worked your way up to the highest level,not just simply being transported into the eircom league.you dont seem to realize you have no right to be in the EL.as for ambition,or lack of it, youve been around for 30ish years and done absolutely nothing regarding a stadium,youre happy to remain mediocre and rent from other clubs,with absolutely no ambitions or intention of doing anything about it
remembr you finished 13 points behind Rovers,so dont try whinging about had you not been the victims of "foul play" that you would still be in the premier.

as for our stadium,its a mess which the board have worsened since they took over. the sdcc taking lease back is actually good for Rovers-stops property developers raping our club. but as war says its very complicated (would make an epic novel if you were to write about it)