Just signed a 3 year contract with Linfield - the *******s:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57571021
End of a era. He was a great player for Dundalk over the past few years.
Just signed a 3 year contract with Linfield - the *******s:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57571021
The heart of De Town :-(
I think it would be a poor move from Shamrock Rovers if they sign AS. What was the last club he played for was that the Iranian club? So much bad press about him with the courtcase I wouldnt touch him with a bargepole but hey what do I know. We signed Keith Gillespie. Sad to see CS leave Dundalk but with him living up north now it makes sense for him and his family.
Gary Cronin is he the right man to manage Longford Town?
Dunno if this has been answered already, but what's the craic with Shields leaving? Budget cuts/past his prime/non-football reasons? No slight on Linfield, but it's a very sudden departure from a successful club where he was well-established
From the outside looking in its hard to understand with DFC being seeded for probably 3 rounds of the ECL
I dont get it
3 year contract at a club that is closer to his home. Was always on the cards with the change in contract policy. But yeah, the key role he plays he could get a side over the line against Welsh 'minnows' and Estonians so whatever the minimal fee in, it weakens the possibility of Euro money in so possibly short sighted. He isnt a centre half but considering the injuries we have in that position he was an option to fill in. I think its a not standing in the way thing as undoubtedly any manager would want Chris Shields on the books. The expediting of the transfer is due to Linfield being worried about their rival clubs stealing in with big money in November. Get their man now even if there is a nominal fee involved and he will add to their European squad. It is what it is
His farwell statement is spot on - bitter sweet.
He's not exactly going to a club that struggles to win trophies.
Linfield is now a full time club, we've got a healthy bank balance to sustain full time football & we are able to offer him 3 years of stability.
Not that I follow dundalk or know much about it, but it appears they are marching towards financial instability which unfortunately is far too often a problem in the LOI football (shelbourne, Cork, derry City, drogheda, sporting fingal etc etc)
So the proposition at Linfield could be very attractive to a lot of players.
The Hallion Battalion Molests football.:D
No, but it is a step down from the Dundalk of old. Linfield won't be appearing in the group stages of Europe any time soon for example.
I agree with you on where Dundalk seem to be headed, and if that has played a part in Shields' decision, then that would be quite worrying as a Dundalk fan. Hence the question though.
Financial stability, near to family life, chance to win trophies - I'd call that the holy grail for any pro footballer on this island. Linfield is a step up for Shields from the clown car he's exiting.
We where an away goal away from it 2 summers ago vs qarabag. We lost 5 important players this season so im not expecting anything this year but our goal is to be in the group stages in the near future.
As for Dundalk of old, if linfield where to build on quicksand like many other clubs who have had success in the LOI, im sure we could have been a higher standard much sooner. But thankfully our board has built up our revenue, kept the expenses well in budget & built a large amount of reserves so that if we do fail to qualify for Europe we can afford the hit.
Ironically the initial Dundalk success doesn't appear to have been built on quicksand. The first EL group stage qualification was quite genuine. They've failed spectacularly to build on things since then of course.
Anyways, this is away from the point of why Shields has left exactly.
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