phone: + 353 (0) 90 649 8 649 postal: athlone town football club, magazine road,
fax: + 353 (0) 90 649 8 838 athlone, co. westmeath, republic of ireland
Club name: Athlone Town
Founded: 1887 (Elected to League in 1922)
Home ground: St Mel's Park, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
How to get there: From the train station, turn left. Take another left at the first roundabout onto Grace Road. St Mel's Park is 250 metres down the road on the left.
Phone: 090 6498649
Fax: 090 6498838
Website: www.athlonetownfc.com
Email: [email protected]
Club colours: Home: Blue and black vertically striped jersey, black shorts, black socks
Away: White jersey, blue shorts, white socks
Nickname: Town
Sponsor: Ganly's Hardware
Manager: Alan Kelly
Honours: League titles (2)
1980-81, 1982-83
FAI Cups (1)
1924
League Cups (3)
1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83
Athlone Town F.C. first entered League of Ireland football in 1922-23 when the original League of the previous season was extended, with 6 new clubs -Athlone Town, Midland Two clubs, Frankfort and YMC dropped out.
The Town was first league member's form outside the Capital. The midlanders started tentatively, losing 1-3 vs. St. James' Gate (H), 0-2 vs. Bohemians (A), Gained a home point vs. Shelbourne United 3-3, lost again 0-2- vs. Rathmines (A), before their historic first ever win 4-0 vs. Olympia on 14th Oct. 1892 at the Sports Ground , Athlone.
A creditable 6th position place was achieved by season's end and following campaign positions of 4th, 7th, and 7th again, 5th, and finally 10th, in 1927-28 season were recorded. That season also saw a 3-9 1st round F.A.I. Cup defeat by then non-league team Drumcondra. After such a disappointing year and taking their financial position into account it was decided not to re-apply for league membership in 1928-29 and their cup conquerors Drums filled the vacant place.
Athlone's early flirtation with the top-flight football was not totally bleak, however. In their very first season Town reached the Shield final, only to fall to Shelbourne by the odd goal in three. The moment of glory for the Westmeath club came less than a year later when, on Dinny Hannon's solitary strike. This is the only time Athlone have won the blue Riband and they did so in style, being the first Club to win without conceading a goal in the competition.
After a long exile of 41 years, during which the highlight was an F.A.I . Junior Cup victory in 1938, Athlone regained league status in 1969-70 along with new boys Finn Harps. Their return was quickly celebrated with a fine 4-0 Leinster Cup Final trouncing of Shelbourne.
During the 70' Town firmly established themselves as a worthy League of Ireland outfit, achieving runners-up spot to Bohemians in 1974-75 and European qualification for the first time. And the Midlanders certainly did the country proud in the UEFA Cup despatching VALERENGEN 3-1 (St. Mels) and 1-1 (OSLO).
In the 2nd round came the fairytale clash with Italian giants A.C. Milan. The visitors escaped with a scoreless draw, mainly due to a missed penalty by John Minnock, but all the honours went to the homesteads. In the away leg they held out gallantly before falling to three late goals. It had been a marvellous adventure and was to be the appetiser for further success.
In the appointment of Turlough O'Connor as manager was to be the launching pad for Athlone's rise to national prominence in the early 80's. The Tyler Cup and Leinster Cup came to St. Mel's in the 1979-80 before the league title was at last captured the following season.
On the European stage once more, they again performed with distinction, unluckily losing to KB Copenhagen on away goals after drawing both ties. The Championship was won again in 1982-83, but Standard Liege proved much too strong in the Champions Cup winning 3-2 in Athlone and 8-2 in Belgium, Town's last European appearance.
During this period 3 League Cups and the Presidents Cup also made their way to the St. Mels trophy cabinet. But the great days were coming to an end. O'Connor was enticed to Oriel Park where he would continue his success and Shamrock Rovers were emerging as the dominant force in the land. Athlone went into gradual decline and were eventually relegated in 86-87, finishing bottom. Fate decreed another O'Connor, Turlough's brother Padraig, would be the one to re-juvenate the club.
After a poor start his players responded magnificently to his shrewd guidance and the first Division title was won, on the very last day of the season, with a 2-1 win over Cobh Ramblers at St. Mels Park. The Leinster Cup was also won so Padraig could claim a minor Version of the double Turlough was achieving Dundalk!
Athlone Town have shown, in their second bite of the League of Ireland "Cherry" that the aspirations of the late Seamus O'Brien, who was instrumental in guiding them back to league status, have been fully realised and that the faith placed in the clubs return has been more than justified. The story of Athlone Town has been a story of success
Name: Athlone Town Association Football Club
Founded: 1887
Club Colours: Blue & Black
Ground Address: Golden Island Park,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath
Office Address: Magazine Road,
Athlone
Co. Westmeath
Phone: + 353 (0) 90 649 8 649
Fax: + 353 (0) 90 649 8 838
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.athlonetownfc.com
Main Sponsor: Ganly's of Athlone
Associate Sponsors: Golden Island Shopping Centre
The Tap Bar, Dublin
Bus Eireann
Under-17 Sponsor: O'Callaghan Windows
Kit Supplier: O'Neill's Sportswear
Match Day Details
Admission: Adult �10
Student �6
Youth � 4
OAP �3
Accompanied Kids Free
Match Day Programme The Bit of Blue �2
Events Manager: Nicky Moran
Asst Events Manager Gareth McDermott
Head Groundsman: John West
Coaching Staff
Manager: Stephen Kelly
Asst Manager: Padraig Dully
Under-21 Manager: Padraig Dully
Under-21 Asst Manager: Paddy Reilly
Under-17 Manager: Jimmy Greene
Under-17 Asst Manager: Philip Coffey
Youth Dev Officer: Jimmy Greene
Physio: Gerry Joyce
Management Committee
Hon. President: TBC
Chairman: Ken Bryan
Vice Chairman: Tony Connaughton
Treasurer: John Comber
Asst Treasurer: Tony Knight
Secretary: Tommy O'Neill
Asst Secretary Ray Egan
UEFA Licencing Officer: Michael Brennan
Youth Liasion Officer: Noel Lennon
Stadium Liasion Officer: TBC
Match Day Organiser: Michael Francis
Events Controller: Nicky Moran
Supporters Club Rep: Liam Gaffey