Troubled Limerick can be a force if the club, fans and community unite
A former chief executive of the Premier Division club, John O’Sullivan looks at the Blues’ current position — on and off-the-field — in his latest column.
TWO LOSSES, EIGHT goals conceded, none scored and Limerick FC have sunk to the foot of the Premier Division.
It was a difficult off-season for the club with chairman Pat O’Sullivan declaring his need to reduce his significant level of investment, which left Martin Russell’s young side favourites for relegation among many commentators.
Soon after came the announcement of a significant delay in the return to their spiritual home at the Market’s Field.
This week the club has confirmed the banning of thirty supporters, a noticeable and noisy group among the hardcore attendance. Ostensibly for foul and abusive language, it seems an issue that has escalated rapidly and which could have been handled better through effective and honest communication.
Apologies and recognition of responsibility on both sides seems appropriate so that everyone can get back to focusing on the club and the visit of Longford Town on Saturday.
The truth is that the club needs everyone pulling together now more than ever. Despite the current difficulties Limerick FC still has many positive. The club’s foundations, the focus of much of Pat O’Sullivan’s investment, are solid. This can be a temporary storm to weather, with huge potential on the horizon.
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Limerick FC chairman Pat O'Sullivan. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Last year the club announced the purchase of the former FCJ convent in Bruff and adjoining land which provides a 20acre training facility. The site in Bruff is already pulling in a significant rent from third parties, businesses filling the former school.
The club has been intelligent in their vision for the facility, within the Ballyhoura development area, to become more than Limerick FC’s training base. It will encompass a multi sport centre of excellence, a social centre for the region and a business incubation hub.
The facility is already a hive of activity, and source of income, before a training pitch has been laid. It will need sports capital grants, some good planning, but few clubs will match the Bruff campus should Limerick FC’s vision be realised.
The Market’s Field will not, for financial reasons, resemble the stadium of which Pat O’Sullivan dreamed when he presented the news back in 2011. However, when ready this May, it will be a city centre home for the club, one steeped in history for Limerick FC and the City itself.
Over time it can become a stadium more suitable to the league than Thomond Park. The club staff will bring with them experience of Thomond, Jackman, Hogan Park and Rathbane.
Like Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght, a circuitous voyage to your home can give you time to figure out what works, and what does not.
The club’s academy is the envy of other LOI clubs and has seen over 20 individual players represent Irish national teams at various age levels over the past 18 months. In Martin Russell they have the ideal manager to develop the quality young players they have coming through.
Manager Martin Russell is the right man to develop young players. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Also in Russell they have a level-headed and understanding professional who know the league and accepts it ups and downs. Fans need to demonstrate patience with him as he charts a course he probably hadn’t signed up to on day one.
There are signs that the club can pull together as with the announcement on budget reductions has seen the green shoots of an independent Supporters’ Trust. Supporters recognise the need to financially support the ongoing good work. Despite Pat’s reduction in investment, the reality is that today and in the immediate future, it is still his personal money which is keeping the club afloat.
Limerick need to work on a few key areas, business in Limerick still haven’t embraced the club as one would expect, even after bringing 20,000 fans to Thomond Stadium for the Manchester City friendly in 2012.
Those businesses need to recognise the positive work the club is doing and the potential it has, but the club needs to sell that free of distraction. It needs everyone, down to each individual supporter to talk up the club, to sell the club and to believe in the club.
Each individual supporter can be an advocate and an ambassador and the club needs to recognise, support and encourage that. Supporters must also examine if their public comments and actions could damage the profile of the club they love, and take responsibility for that.
Football without fans is nothing. Limerick FC needs to understand this, but equally the club’s supporters need to understand that Pat O’Sullivan is one of them. If he’s not a fan, if he doesn’t love the club, why has he put so much into it over the years?
Every club has ups and downs, success comes and goes. Limerick FC is in a relegation battle already, but if they can survive the season in the Premier Division, they are still a club with huge potential.
Pat O’Sullivan, Martin Russell, the staff and the supporters have a tough year to navigate but if everyone pulls together around Bruff, the Market’s Field, the academy and the incredible social value the club continually provides, there’s no doubt that a united Limerick FC can still be a force in the future.
Troubled Limerick can be a force if the club, fans and community unite
TWO LOSSES, EIGHT goals conceded, none scored and Limerick FC have sunk to the foot of the Premier Division.
It was a difficult off-season for the club with chairman Pat O’Sullivan declaring his need to reduce his significant level of investment, which left Martin Russell’s young side favourites for relegation among many commentators.
Soon after came the announcement of a significant delay in the return to their spiritual home at the Market’s Field.
This week the club has confirmed the banning of thirty supporters, a noticeable and noisy group among the hardcore attendance. Ostensibly for foul and abusive language, it seems an issue that has escalated rapidly and which could have been handled better through effective and honest communication.
Apologies and recognition of responsibility on both sides seems appropriate so that everyone can get back to focusing on the club and the visit of Longford Town on Saturday.
The truth is that the club needs everyone pulling together now more than ever. Despite the current difficulties Limerick FC still has many positive. The club’s foundations, the focus of much of Pat O’Sullivan’s investment, are solid. This can be a temporary storm to weather, with huge potential on the horizon.
Last year the club announced the purchase of the former FCJ convent in Bruff and adjoining land which provides a 20acre training facility. The site in Bruff is already pulling in a significant rent from third parties, businesses filling the former school.
The club has been intelligent in their vision for the facility, within the Ballyhoura development area, to become more than Limerick FC’s training base. It will encompass a multi sport centre of excellence, a social centre for the region and a business incubation hub.
The Market’s Field will not, for financial reasons, resemble the stadium of which Pat O’Sullivan dreamed when he presented the news back in 2011. However, when ready this May, it will be a city centre home for the club, one steeped in history for Limerick FC and the City itself.
Over time it can become a stadium more suitable to the league than Thomond Park. The club staff will bring with them experience of Thomond, Jackman, Hogan Park and Rathbane.
Like Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght, a circuitous voyage to your home can give you time to figure out what works, and what does not.
The club’s academy is the envy of other LOI clubs and has seen over 20 individual players represent Irish national teams at various age levels over the past 18 months. In Martin Russell they have the ideal manager to develop the quality young players they have coming through.
Also in Russell they have a level-headed and understanding professional who know the league and accepts it ups and downs. Fans need to demonstrate patience with him as he charts a course he probably hadn’t signed up to on day one.
There are signs that the club can pull together as with the announcement on budget reductions has seen the green shoots of an independent Supporters’ Trust. Supporters recognise the need to financially support the ongoing good work. Despite Pat’s reduction in investment, the reality is that today and in the immediate future, it is still his personal money which is keeping the club afloat.
Limerick need to work on a few key areas, business in Limerick still haven’t embraced the club as one would expect, even after bringing 20,000 fans to Thomond Stadium for the Manchester City friendly in 2012.
Those businesses need to recognise the positive work the club is doing and the potential it has, but the club needs to sell that free of distraction. It needs everyone, down to each individual supporter to talk up the club, to sell the club and to believe in the club.
Each individual supporter can be an advocate and an ambassador and the club needs to recognise, support and encourage that. Supporters must also examine if their public comments and actions could damage the profile of the club they love, and take responsibility for that.
Every club has ups and downs, success comes and goes. Limerick FC is in a relegation battle already, but if they can survive the season in the Premier Division, they are still a club with huge potential.
Pat O’Sullivan, Martin Russell, the staff and the supporters have a tough year to navigate but if everyone pulls together around Bruff, the Market’s Field, the academy and the incredible social value the club continually provides, there’s no doubt that a united Limerick FC can still be a force in the future.
Follow John on Twitter @johngosullivan
– First published 06.00
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