Supporters’ Club Notes (18/02/2018)

WE'RE BACK!

It's been a long, dark, wet and cold winter but with the stretch in the evenings, everything is looking brighter as we kick off our 2018 season. This Saturday night, we entertain Cobh Ramblers for the first game of the season with a 7.30pm kick off. Players have come and others have gone but the show goes on regardless. Like every club in the league, we look forward with great hope and optimism. This time last year the bookies had us favourites to be at the top but a poor start soon finished that aspiration. This season, we have an extremely tough opening few games. Cobh pushed Waterford all the way until the latter stages and after Cobh we have Finn Harps away on March 2^nd, many people's favourites for automatic promotion. So yes, it's a tough start for sure. But we're up for the challenge.

The Premier Division kicked off last week end and there were some great crowds out enjoying the return of the beautiful game. Even Sligo Rovers managed over 3,000 at their clash with Limerick but couldn't manage any points. RTE showed the Dublin Derby between Bohs and Shamrock Rovers which was booked out weeks in advance and the game itself turned out to be a real thriller. A photo of the Bohs players celebrating a goal with 2 girls in the chipper in the background joining in has to be one of the early contenders for sports pic of the season.

What about our own hopes for the season ahead? Hopefully we'll be still in contention at the business end and that we'll see some excellent football right throughout a warm, dry, sunny summer/ And of course, we'd love to see many, many more supporters making the trip out to the City Calling Stadium. Just a few days ago, we received a Premier licence which is testament to all the hard graft put in by so many behind the scenes.

There's a new kit, the dressing rooms have been recently re-painted, the players are raring to go and it's almost kick off time. We hope to see you there to roar them on. C'mon De Town.

JOIN US

The Supporters' Club continue to be the backbone of the club. We set up and run the Clubhouse, organise awards like Player of the Month, raise much needed funds through Car Boot Sales and Christmas raffles and the merchandise shop, secure ball boys and girls, update our Facebook page with photos and news and generally help keep the show on the road. We'd love if you could join us either as an ordinary member or join our committee aka the working gang. We'll be having our AGM shortly and no doubt, we'll see you there.

MEDIA STUFF

Well done to Kieran Burke and his team on Between the Stripes which continues to make great strides in the social media world. James Donnelly, also has been working hard as photographer and Twitter expert. John Caulfield of Cork City was none too pleased with RTE's coverage of the President's Cup and he was right to be fed up. No TV coverage and 10 seconds on radio. RTE then made the long trip to cover Bohs v Rovers and while they got a terrific game, why do they persist with the managerial interviews during the game. Can you imagine interviewing Ryan Tubridy as he presents his Late, Late Show. On a totally different media note, 3 had a full page ad in the Leader last week. It featured well known local landmarks and it was pleasing to see the City Calling Stadium featured alongside St Mel's Cathedral.

CAR BOOT SALE

The season hasn't even kicked off and already we're receiving calls nationwide about our car boot sales for 2018. Well, the good news is that our first one will be on the Bank Holiday Monday, following St Patrick's Day. As usual it'll be from very, very early until 3pm. Our final car boot sale last season was so successful, we simply found it difficult to accommodate all who turned up. If you're buying or selling or just gawking, then be on time to bag the best bargains.

LONGFORD'S LORCAN

Heartiest congratulations to Lorcan Towey from the U19s who has been selected to represent the Republic of Ireland U18 squad in back to back games against Wales this week. It's a massive honour for Lorcan and his family as well as Longford Town FC. We're all chuffed for Longford's Lorcan. Well done too to Town supporter Chris Walsh who gave De Town a great shout out while he was featured on the Humans of Longford Facebook page recently. And finally, safe driving to our club chairperson on his new 181 Micra!