The facilities at the Strokestown Road Ground up to the end of last season were sub-standard in many respects. A reasonably good pitch and floodlights, minimal dressing room, shower and toilet facilities only served to accentuate the poor spectator facilities available, and no forward-looking club could hope to prosper unless more – much more – customer – friendly facilities were put in place. Thankfully, our promotion to the Premier Division was the catalyst required, along with some FAI minimum standards, to undertake the development now under construction and nearing completion. Over £400,000 has been spent on the grounds to date, but some under funding and cost overruns has meant that further funds / grants are now required to allow the development to continue to completion.
At this juncture, I am satisfied the development will be fully completed by the end of the season, and all systems go for August 2001 (our second season in the Premier Division!). A sum of £250,000 will be required to complete the development. In view of that any financial contributions will be very welcome. To the local and national business community, I would just say that there are plenty of advertising and / or sponsorship opportunities available, and with television about to take an ever – increasing interest in the National League, it might be an opportune time to consider a modest investment (complete with 40% Tax rebate).
Jim Hanly
Chairman Longford Town FC
Donations
If you would like to contribute to the development of Longford Town F.C. Please forward your cheque to:
Frank Murtagh Longford Town F.C. Secretary,
5 Ardnacassa Avenue,
Longford,
Co. Longford.
Ireland.
You will receive an official receipt by return and a supporter certificate for the development of Longford Town F.C. Park.
Longford Town
Founded: 1924 (Elected to League in 1984)
Home ground: Flancare Park, Strokestown Road, Longford Town
How to get there: Turn left at the Longford Arms Hotel (in Longford town centre) down the Strokestown (Castlebar) Road. Flancare Park is approximately two miles outside the town centre.
Phone: 043 46231
Fax: 043 41233
Website: www.longfordtownfc.com
Club colours: Home: Red and black vertically striped jersey, black shorts, red and black
socks
Away: Blue jerseys with gold trim, blue shorts, blue and gold socks
Nickname: Town
Sponsor: Flancare
Manager: Alan Matthews
Honours: FAI Cup (2) 2003, 2004
eircom League Cup (1) 2004
History of Longford Town FC
At a meeting held in the Temperance Hall in 1924, it was decided to form Longford Town FC and the colours chosen were those of the famous Dublin club, Bohemians, 'Red and Black'. They have remained the same until the present day. Present at the meeting were Michael (Ikey) Kelly, Paddy Farrell, Michael Hanley, Tom Malone, Johnny Foley, Willie Jarrett, Tom Kelly, Tom Colbert and Jim Mulligan.
The Town had £24 in the kitty to start them off and the Town's first big success was winning the Leinster Junior Cup in the 1930-31 season when they beat St. Malachy's of Dundalk at Longford Park. Afterwards, the Foresters' Brass and Reed Band and Longford Pipe and Drum Band led the victory parade through the streets of the town.
Longford's Team at the time included Tom O'Beirne, Packy Shine, Mel Deane, Jimmy Malynn, John Dennigan, Jimmy and Billy Clarke, Freddy Dykes, Jimmy Breslin and P Dempsey.
In the 1935-36 season, the Town were promoted to Division 1 of the Leinster Senior League and the following season they got banner headlines in the sports pages of all the National Papers for their feat in qualifying for the Free State Cup semi-final and also for winning the Intermediate Cup so soon after their promotion from Junior ranks.
The team that qualified for that first Free State Cup semi-final was: Johnny Farrell (Athlone), Packy Shine (Athlone), Peter Walsh, Christy Shiels, Johnny Malynn (Athlone) Jimmy Mills (Sligo), Paddy Clarke, Steve McManus (Sligo, who died in a Japanese prison camp during the war), Frank Giffen, Billy Clarke and Paddy Moran (Athlone).
Longford Town again reached the last four of the Senior Cup in 1954, when they lost 3-0 to the eventual winners Shamrock Rovers, who were held scoreless until the last quarter of the semi-final clash. That was a remarkably successful season for Longford Town, as they also met Rovers in the Leinster Senior Cup Final on St.Stephen's Day. The Hoops, then at their peak, got the winning goal (2-1) with less than three minutes to go.
The Longford Town team on the day were: Peter Keogh, Seamus Devlin, Sonny Canning, Billy Murphy, Paddy Kinsella, Johnny Peelo, Paschal Quinn, Andy Reville, Paddy Gilbert, Gerry Malone and Joe O'Brien. Many Longford-born players received International or inter-league honours over the years.
Mel Deane was the first, when he was capped against Scotland in a Junior International. Then followed Junior International honours v England for Jimmy and Paddy Clarke, Stephen Leavy; a Youth International Cap for Ignatius Branigan v Holland and the same honour was bestowed upon Teffia Park lad Mark Devlin in more recent years. Jimmy Clarke, one of four footballing brothers, was a brilliant player who excelled in all three codes.
Club Honours:
Leinster Junior Cup: 1931
Connaught Cup: 1932
FAI Intermediate Cup: 1936-1937, 1954-1955, 1959-1960, 1961-1962
Metropolitan Cup: 1950-1951,1957-1958, 1959-1960, 1961-1962
League of Ireland 1st Div: Runners up 1999-2000 & promotion to Premier League
Eircom League Cup: Runners up 2003; 2004
FAI Carlsberg Cup: Runners-up 2001; 2003, 2004.
Club Directory:
President: Peter Keenan
Vice President: John Donlon
Chairman: Jim Hanly
Vice Chairman: n/a
Treasurer: Aidan Corkery
Secretary: Frank Murtagh
Assistant Secretary: Josephine Clancy
PRO & FAI Delegate: Donald Keogh
Marketing Manager: Pat Hussey
Commercial Manager: Dennis Dowd
Executive Committee: Tony Ghee, Adrian Duncan, MC Farrell, Eamon Ginty, Mick Cox, Donal Considine, Tom Kelly.
Grounds & Security: Mick Cox, Andy Dardis, Paddy Conway, Frank Glancy, Mick Ghee, Roy McCormack, Tony Flaherty, Christy Brady.
Programme Editor: Noel Tracey
Official Supporters Club: Carmel Browne (Chairperson), Tiernan Dolan, Tom Kelly, John Nevin, Liam Healion, Billy Beahan, Noel Treacy.
Ticket Office, Draw & Shop Gary McMonagle, Colm McCormack, John Donlon, Liam Healion, Denis Dowd, Tom Cunningham, Gerry Mathews, R Nevin, D Rooney Jnr, Andy Dardis, Mary Canning, Barbara Keogh, Josephine Glancy, S Dalton Jnr, Aishling Conway and Patricia Conway.
Website: Neil Halligan, Pat Hussey, Robert Ghee, Mark Neilan