Rovers scum do it again

**Macy** · 24/06/2005, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Student Mullet

That sounds a little bit like you're making a threat, surley no rovers fan would cause disruption outside a ground?

Sounds to me that they'd protest blocking the road. A threat maybe, but don't think necessarily a threat of violence. Peaceful protest fine imo.

**Roverstillidie** · 24/06/2005, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Student Mullet

That sounds a little bit like you're making a threat, surley no rovers fan would cause disruption outside a ground?

no im not, but we may walk slowly away from the ground if not let in. just to be arkward like!!!!

**rebs23** · 24/06/2005, 11:54 AM

Is this for real? More bloody agendas here. Do Longford owe Ollie something?

It really is getting farcical all this overhyped nonsense about handbag hooliganism in the EL. I have said it loads of times but it used to be a lot worse but now since we have the Internet & forums like these every little incident is blown out of all proportion.

This is just ridicoloous.

By the way can someone change the title of this thread to Ollie does it again!

**mypost** · 26/06/2005, 6:49 AM

Originally Posted by �anna

Longford are a disgrace. Who the **** do they think they are to do this? If their security could do their job without causing trouble, this probably wouldn't have been an issue. The fact that the knuckle-draggers they employ for crowd control seem to **** people off for fun might have more to do with the problems the last time rovers were there. I would seriously consider going up to the game to support rovers on the night, just to make the point

We've been banned from travelling, full stop, for no specific reasons. It's an outrageous, disgraceful decision, which sets a very dangerous precedent for visiting fans of any club. In all my time watching LOI football, I have never heard of a decision to ban fans from travelling to a game. I am shocked that a club that is (used to be) a role model for other NL clubs, could stoop as low as to ban away fans from their ground, regardless of who the club is.

The trip to Longford is personally, one of my favourite away trips of the season. The town is nice, the people are friendly, the ground is great, (by LOI standards), and Longford are one of the few clubs who choose to play at home on Saturdays. Unfortunately, at the first Longford-Rovers league game there last season, there was a minor incident at half-time, when a couple of stewards prevented some of Rovers' fans changing ends. Nobody told our fans beforehand that it wasn't allowed, so some fans were not happy with the situation. The stewards totally overeacted and a handbags scuffle ensued. When we first went there, the stewards controlled the crowd in a professional manner. Then you couldn't change ends at half time. Then you couldn't go to the shop for a tray of chips and a drink, at half time. Then fans were pushed around by incompetent stewards and police there, creating avoidable problems. Now, our fans have been banned.

Longford might like to preserve their "family" image, but with respect to Longford, the majority of Rovers fans who go to our games are, literally taking full responsibility for keeping the club afloat. If kids can't be brought to Longford-Rovers games at FP, due to one minor scuffle in 5 years, then where do you draw the line? Will other clubs' fans be banned from attending FP for drinking, swearing, or chanting which may have the odd F-word thrown in, in case it upsets kids? After the recent incidents in the CG, will Bohs fans be banned from attending Bray-Bohs games? If so, where will it end? Like I said, this decision sets an uncomfortable, and dangerous precedent for other clubs' fans. We hope that the action taken by Longford Town will not be repeated elsewhere.

In this country, we really struggle to get people to go to NL games. The league needs big games, and it needs big crowds. This appalling and ludicrous decision will do nothing for the league's image, and will do terrible damage to the previously good relationship that existed between Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers. Longford used to be a role model for other clubs. Unfortunately, they have now sadly created a terrible reputation for themselves, as the only club in the league to say "AWAY FANS MAY NOT ATTEND". I would strongly recommend fans of other clubs to bear that in mind, when it's your turn to travel to Flancare Park.

**Mr A** · 26/06/2005, 8:29 AM

First of all Eanna and Cork fans- your own stewards are nothing short of a joke, their treatment of Harps fans who'd spent the whole day travelling to get to a game and some of whom were retired older people was atrocious. I mean what did they think 9 fans were going to do, and what was their problem with our megaphone. In general where stewarting exists it tends to be heavy handed in this league, and that applies at many grounds, not just Finn Park. Either you tend to have people who are doing the job for free and are less likely to get involved at all or you have people hired in who tend to be over zealous and heavy handed.

I think the Longford Town FC view on this is pretty much 'Why should we spend thousands on security to accomodate a few hundred Rovers fans?'. At a time when so many clubs are in financial dire straits I do have a certain amount of sympathy for that view. It may be that the security rating the FAI passes down for the game means that Longford choices are either to pay the money for the security or keep Rovers out. Surely however some compromise could have been reached with Rovers regarding arrangements for the game.

However, the decision is a PR disaster for the league, and it could get a hell of a lot worse if Rovers fans react to it. And I don't think Rovers are entirely blameless in this, in general they seem to be more concerned with pretending everything is other people's fault always- but ultimately they do have a bad element- I mean every incident can't just be people making it up to get at Rovers. If fans of Rovers (and other clubs) didn't have a history of causing hassle at and around games then this situation would never have arisen.

**joeraki** · 26/06/2005, 11:35 AM

How many thousands are LTFC spending on security ? I've seen figures of �7/7500 on their forum. Seems way over the top. Stewerts get paid �10 an hour, with 4 hours work max. 50 at the very most is probably way more than is needed, thats �2k. 20 of those probably do games every other week so its an extra �1200. As for the Garda, not sure how many you'd need, but the rule for the GAA is 1 Garda per 1000 people. Any other dog, horse units and riot police can be all left outside in case of trouble. Any Garda outside the ground at KO the club doesn't pay for.

**anto eile** · 26/06/2005, 5:49 PM

Originally Posted by rebs23

Is this for real? More bloody agendas here. Do Longford owe Ollie something?

It really is getting farcical all this overhyped nonsense about handbag hooliganism in the EL. I have said it loads of times but it used to be a lot worse but now since we have the Internet & forums like these every little incident is blown out of all proportion.

This is just ridicoloous.

By the way can someone change the title of this thread to Ollie does it again!

sensible post

**anto eile** · 26/06/2005, 6:02 PM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Sets a terrible precedent for the rest of the League and smacks of double standards. I wonder what the motive is here as you were happy to host a load of Linfields worst lot in the Setanta and after all the racist abuse and sectarian sh*te they came out with there wasn't a peep out of Longford Town, it was the decent Linfield fans and the club who had to come out and condemn their own fans.

Wouldn't it have been better to wait until after the outcome of the League investigation is known?

thats a very good point

as for D2 red. your stupidity deserves contempt

**anto eile** · 26/06/2005, 6:05 PM

Originally Posted by pete

a:
Come on. Its not like this is unexpected. Oily knows where every fan lives & would probably ban from Tolka if didn't follow the club line.

b: Are Longford entitled to just ban a group of fans?

a: true.a mate of mine (shels fan) hates olly byrne but cant really voice his displeasaure (even from the relative anonymity of shels web) as jabba would be straight onto his phone. hes done it before,rang my mate up to give out to him

ollybourne is a football hooligan

b: they could hide behind catch-all terms like "management reserve the right to refuse admission" blah blah. but it could be challenged successfully imo

**anto eile** · 26/06/2005, 6:06 PM

Originally Posted by Slash/ED

Fair play Sheridan, that is superb

I love how you've asked a question, answered it for him, then called him a hypocrite for the answer you gave him. F*cking superb, well done.

but his answer was hypocritical.

**Anto McC** · 26/06/2005, 7:36 PM

Originally Posted by anto eile

as for D2 red. your stupidity deserves contempt

Good point

**�anna** · 27/06/2005, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Galway Harps

First of all Eanna and Cork fans- your own stewards are nothing short of a joke, their treatment of Harps fans who'd spent the whole day travelling to get to a game and some of whom were retired older people was atrocious. I mean what did they think 9 fans were going to do, and what was their problem with our megaphone. In general where stewarting exists it tends to be heavy handed in this league, and that applies at many grounds, not just Finn Park. Either you tend to have people who are doing the job for free and are less likely to get involved at all or you have people hired in who tend to be over zealous and heavy handed.

I think the Longford Town FC view on this is pretty much 'Why should we spend thousands on security to accomodate a few hundred Rovers fans?'. At a time when so many clubs are in financial dire straits I do have a certain amount of sympathy for that view. It may be that the security rating the FAI passes down for the game means that Longford choices are either to pay the money for the security or keep Rovers out. Surely however some compromise could have been reached with Rovers regarding arrangements for the game.

However, the decision is a PR disaster for the league, and it could get a hell of a lot worse if Rovers fans react to it. And I don't think Rovers are entirely blameless in this, in general they seem to be more concerned with pretending everything is other people's fault always- but ultimately they do have a bad element- I mean every incident can't just be people making it up to get at Rovers. If fans of Rovers (and other clubs) didn't have a history of causing hassle at and around games then this situation would never have arisen.

we know all about our own stewards short-comings and have raised it with the club

**Colm** · 27/06/2005, 4:24 PM

Originally Posted by �anna

I would seriously consider going up to the game to support rovers on the night, just to make the point

I'd nearly consider that too. It could be "fun" when those idiot stewards try to stop a few hundered ****ed Rovers fans from getting into the ground!

I hope Rovers fans travel in numbers and rtry to gain access to the ground regardless just to show Longford that ridiculous decisions like this won't work and are more trouble than they're worth.

**mypost** · 30/06/2005, 4:57 AM

The policy has been reversed, so the crisis is over, at least for now.

After Longford, we're due to go down to the South Pole to play Cork. Although the game may not go ahead as scheduled, because of a) their European commitments, or b) whether we survive examinership, which is due to expire the same week. If we don't survive it, Cork will receive a bye and an automatic three points, the easiest three points they'll get all season. The trip to Longford could be our last in senior football.

**Roverstillidie** · 30/06/2005, 9:10 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

The policy has been reversed, so the crisis is over, at least for now.

After Longford, we're due to go down to the South Pole to play Cork. Although the game may not go ahead as scheduled, because of a) their European commitments, or b) whether we survive examinership, which is due to expire the same week. If we don't survive it, Cork will receive a bye and an automatic three points, the easiest three points they'll get all season. The trip to Longford could be our last in senior football.

no, it could be our last as full time prefessionals. its not that drastic.

**patsh** · 30/06/2005, 9:35 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

Cork will receive a bye and an automatic three points, the easiest three points they'll get all season.

Eh no, the easiest three points was when we beat you 3 - 1 in April up at your "home" game.........

**mypost** · 01/07/2005, 5:40 AM

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

no, it could be our last as full time prefessionals. its not that drastic.

Do I have to spell it out for you??

The only reason the club currently exists is because it's in examinership. This period is due to expire soon. If the club has not successfully found an investor(s) by that time, the club will not be in a position to pay off it's creditors, the club will enter liquidation immediately, and will have to leave the league as a result. It's as blunt as that, I'm afraid.

**Roverstillidie** · 01/07/2005, 7:29 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

Do I have to spell it out for you??

The only reason the club currently exists is because it's in examinership. This period is due to expire soon. If the club has not successfully found an investor(s) by that time, the club will not be in a position to pay off it's creditors, the club will enter liquidation immediately, and will have to leave the league as a result. It's as blunt as that, I'm afraid.

tomorrow actually. you dont need to explain the situation to me. but you are wrong on a few major points there.

if we enter liquidation, we arent out of the league. remember, the el took back our licence, so we cant be expelled. anither merrion sq **** up, but what can you do.

and the 400c will take over if there is no invesor, which is likely. the creditors get paid from the examinership process. the players have been put up for sale to reduce the wage bill, to a level the 400c can afford. worst case is we finish bottom of the league with kids playing in santry and restructure completly.

there is no danger of us leaving the league.

**thomas** · 01/07/2005, 12:11 PM

The security cost for the dalymount game was €500. Longford are just idiots if they cant deal with the situation and the FAI have forced them to back down anyway.

Try this. Rovers fans behind the goal as usual, free to use the facilities, courteus stewards and staff andit will all go well, just like the brandywell.