Sligo Rovers and Cork City say that unity will be important for the league going forward as the sides are set to face off in a unique fundraising match to be played virtually this weekend.

The game, hosted by the Bit O’ Red, will take place on the night the teams were due to play in The Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity League.

Club staff have been busy preparing for the game all week, while the Rovers fans have picked the side to line out in the game. Gate receipts have already totaled thousands of euro to give some relief in difficult times and likely even harder to come.

A match programme has been created, a half-time raffle will take place and a video walk through of the ground as you take your seat will also be part of the night.

The e-programme will be a souvenir item with lots of different features, with Tommie Gorman and Tony O’Donoghue writing articles over 24 pages.

Click here to buy the package of match ticket, programme and raffles

The match will be broadcast live on YouTube, played on FIFA 20, with commentary from RTE Sport’s Adrian Eames and analysis from Alan Cawley of Soccer Republic.

RTE Soccer Correspondent Tony O’Donoghue will bring us the team news ahead of the game.

A bundle package of a match ticket, programme, half-time and full-time raffle is €20 with proceeds going to the club.

An individual match ticket is just €10. All items are listed here

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “For me it is brilliant to be able to hold this event with another club in tandem. We need unity going forward and I think there will be that.

“On Saturday we see two clubs coming together for a virtual game that will not only raise some vital funds but brings the League of Ireland community together as well.

“That is important. We all want to be back playing football as soon as possible and we wait and see how that will pan out.

“There are many different types of clubs in the league. One thing Sligo Rovers and Cork City share is superb fan bases and they are run by their supporters.

“Those supporters are coming out on Saturday night, albeit in their own homes, and I’m delighted to welcome Declan Carey and his colleagues to the virtual Showgrounds.

“This is going to be a great evening of entertainment. I’ve watched some of the contributions already and I think people will be surprised by the quality of the broadcast.

“There is archive, interviews, guests from the media world, raffles. It’s the closest thing we can have at the moment so I would encourage all our fans to watch with us.

“We’re offering tickets from just €10, or €20 with the programme and raffles, and it will be great value for money when you see the product on your screens on Saturday.”

The Sligo Rovers 500 Club has turned into the most important aspect of fundraising for the club as it is our only income stream at the moment.

The draw for March took place last week with Kathleen Burns claiming the top prize.

Conducted by chief executive of Sligo Rovers, Colin Feehily, and organised by 500 club chairman Vincent Nally and committee member Robbie Fitzpatrick, it was done using social distancing methods and with government guidance in mind.

At €20 a month, there is a chance to win some of the €13,400 on offer each year and all proceeds go to Sligo Rovers through the 500 Club, headed by Vincent.

To join click here

March results:

€500 – Kathleen Burns – Cliffoney
€100 – Marcel Gordon – Strandhill
€100 – Karl McGowan – Ballymote
€100 – Al Murphy – Pearse Road
€100 – David Rouse – Dublin
€100 – Brian Scanlon – Molloway Place
€50 – Donal Kearns – Grange
€50 – Michael Donegan – Cartron Point
€50 – Niall Barlow – Riverstown
€50 – Ray Gallagher – Strandhill Road

Sligo Rovers will play Cork City on the night the teams were due to play in the SSE Airtricity League as virtual becomes reality.

On the night of Saturday 16 May, the Bit O’ Red will meet the Rebels and we will bring you The Showgrounds experience.

The two clubs are coming together for this joint fundraiser. Tickets will be sold by both clubs. 

A match programme, half-time raffle and video walk through of the ground as you take your seat will be present. 

The e-programme will be a souvenir item with lots of different features. 

Click here to buy the package of match ticket, programme and raffles

The event will be as close to a live television production as possible, with guest interviews and there’ll also be half-time musical entertainment. 

Manager Liam Buckley will give his pre-match press conference to the media next week and we’ll also be going through the archives to look back on some of the memorable games between the sides in the last 30 years to whet your appetite.

Supporters will select the Sligo Rovers team to play on the night through a series of social media polls as we build up throughout the week, and we’ll have updates from players on how training has been going to help you choose. 

Cork City will have visiting supporters with their ticket sales going directly to the Rebels. 

The match will be broadcast live on YouTube, played on FIFA 20, with commentary from RTE Sport’s Adrian Eames and analysis from Alan Cawley of Soccer Republic. RTE Soccer Correspondent Tony O’Donoghue will bring us the news ahead of the game. 

We are looking to bring you real match night experience, and for you to show us your #bitored from home on the night. 

More features will be added as we build up over the next two weeks, including we as reveal the live interview guests. 

A bundle package of a match ticket, programme, half-time and full-time raffle will be €20 with proceeds going to the club. An individual match ticket is just €10. All items are listed here https://srfcdirect.com/virtual-match/

Sligo Rovers chief executive Colin Feehily said: “This is a night to bring the Sligo Rovers community together as best we can. 

“We will endeavour to bring The Showgrounds experience to your screen. The Interactive Quiz was a huge success because it brought all of us together for one night and lots of laughs on the way.

“The game will be competitive and you will be directly involved in how we do. It’s time to put points on the board!“

Cork chairman Declan Carey added: “We are delighted to take part in what is another great fundraising initiative by a League of Ireland club. What these times have taught us is that it’s important to pull together in times of need.

“We haven’t kicked a ball since March 6^th but this “off-season” certainly doesn’t feel like a traditional one. Clubs are as active as they can be on online channels and social media. CCFC has ramped up our merchandise operation and fundraising efforts and the response has been fantastic.

“We keep a close on other clubs and how they’re dealing with it, and as always, Sligo and their fans are a credit to their town.

“Together we look forward to what will be a fun night for both sets of fans.”

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins has said the football authority in the country should be credited for what they are trying to do in finding a solution to return to action, but it is unlikely to be practical.

In an update today on Ocean FM ahead of the Sligo Rovers Interactive Quiz on Thursday night, the Rovers chairman said the document issued to clubs compiled by the FAI, NLEC and PFAI that is titled “Return to Football – Behind Closed Doors” brings with it a lot of complications.

Financial projections will be delivered by the FAI later in the week. The government are set to issue their latest update on restrictions overall in society later in the week.

The chairman said: “First of all we have to give credit to the FAI for trying to get everything up and running. They are doing their very best for all of us under very difficult circumstances.

“Finance is one thing, but the practicalities are another. There is a 40-page list of to-dos and not to do. The resources required would be prohibitive. From our point of view it is not practical for us.

“I think our club would be against it. It is just not feasible. They have to do this exercise for UEFA to see what is happening all over Europe. It’s not just an Irish problem, it’s a European and worldwide problem. The cost factor is prohibitive and I don’t know who would be able to afford it

“We’d have to have social distancing and whether we have the facilities to input that for players, I don’t think it’s on. But I have to give support for trying it and checking if it is feasible.”

The management committee have been working behind the scenes on what remains in control for the club – including on the possibility of streaming games if they do return with limited to no spectators – and the details of which are being compiled.

However, with cost analysis, consumer research and appraisal of the market on a longer-term basis, the Rovers chairman believes it will come nowhere close to meeting revenue needs.

“There would be an initial support for that. I’m not so sure that we would get enough streams on that to finance the entire operation.

“We know our demographics, we know there could be issues with broadband in certain areas, we know there could be competition against other leagues when they return. When we weigh it up, it’s probably not looking a viable operation. We’ll continue to look at that.”

The FAI listed a series of proposals for a return, including two which are to begin in September. They remain the most likely scenarios but it is “early days” according to the chairman.

“My view from the start was that the 19 June was very ambitious and it would be September at the earliest when games could be played.

“Again you have to credit the FAI because they gave us choices and put a plan in place. If it is not June, we look to September, but it is still early days yet so we will see what happens if September is a time for kicking off again.

“That puts up another obstacle again. We would have to go back to winter football. In the circumstances that would be fine. We’re just itching to get it back up and running again.

“However, we have to listen to scientists and experts. The entertainment industry is looking like they are nearly writing off all of 2020. All events this year, the vast majority have been switched to 2021, they’ve just flipped it a year. That does tell us something in terms of events and it is a worldwide practice.“

There are many unknowns going forward, some of which are impossible to plan for, but the chairman reiterated a promise to guard the club and that while there is no activity on the pitch, there is lots of thought going on behind the scenes.

“The club is okay at this moment, we’re happy with where we are today in the situation. With thanks to our club lotto and 500 Club, we do have at least some income. That has been a great help to us. So we have some outgoings and they are helping us to meet those.

“I think of the players and staff because it is very difficult for them, they are just waiting and they have been very understanding and supportive. We’re thankful for that. The supporters have been asking constantly about the club and we’re grateful too because we want them to stay involved with us and keep in touch with us.

“We will have a couple of small events like the quiz on Thursday. They will be fundraisers too and very much low key because the fans are suffering as well out there. A lot of them are not working or have changed circumstances.

“We are very conscious of that and we will be careful with how we approach everything. There is no major danger at the moment and that is because of the measures we took last month. That could change, we just have to plan as best we can and much of it is out of our control.

“It is horrible that we are in this situation but hopefully we can get back to football. We’re okay. I’m concerned more about the players right now.

“They are training alone and it’s very difficult when in isolation. I think every club in Europe is in the same position so we have to keep on with it.

“As we said last month, when all of this started, our target to reach the other side of this, is that we are in a position to have a strong club ready to function fully again.”

The interactive quiz begins on Thursday at 8pm on the club’s YouTube and Facebook page, with entry available here.

“I hope as many people as can play along. It’s something for all the family.

“You can enter on SRFCDirect and all the proceeds will help us. I want to thank everyone who does support it.”

Sligo Rovers will host an interactive quiz on Thursday night, available to all supporters from just €10.

The quiz is open to individuals and will be based on four rounds, with a host of prizes available.

We’ll have special guest interviews and our hosts will be Damien Sreenan, plus Jessica Farry of the Sligo Champion and Keith O’Dwyer of the club’s heritage group.

You can watch it on Youtube or Facebook account.

The questions will be based on Sligo Rovers, general knowledge, general Sligo knowledge & sport knowledge.

To enter click here or below

https://srfcdirect.com/bit-o-red-interactive-quiz/

The Sligo Rovers 500 Club has turned into the most important aspect of fundraising for the club as it is our only income stream at the moment.

The draw for February took place this morning with Ursula Dunphy claiming the top prize.

Conducted by chief executive of Sligo Rovers, Colin Feehily, and organised by 500 club chairman Vincent Nally and committee member Robbie Fitzpatrick, it was done using social distancing methods and with government guidance in mind.

At €20 a month, there is a chance to win some of the €13,400 on offer each year and all proceeds go to Sligo Rovers through the 500 Club, headed by Vincent.

To join click here

February results:

€500 – Ursula Dunphy – St Joseph’s
€100 – Eamonn McManus – Tiger Print
€100 – Cormac Hackett – Rathcormac
€100 – Liam McGettigan – Connolly Street
€100 – Simon Martin – Ballinteer, Dublin
€100 – Declan McGaughy – Rathcormac
€50 – Maurice Ryan – Union Street
€50 – Dr Niall Hever – Grange
€50 – Joseph Gallagher – Cleveragh Road
€50 – Thomas Rouse – Cleveragh

Sligo Rovers have today reached the extremely difficult decision to implement temporary layoffs for all management, players and administration staff due to the shutdown of the League of Ireland for the past two weeks and foreseeable future.

Following intensive talks in the last week involving the National League Executive Committee, the PFAI and the FAI, along with receiving government guidance, the club felt there was no option but to come to this conclusion in order to prioritise long-term employment both in football and administrative roles at Sligo Rovers. 

We acknowledge ongoing efforts to find a solution from all parties and we recognise that it is an evolving situation. However we must act today in the best interest of our club in the long-term. 

Last Tuesday An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar outlined that the Coronavirus crisis would extend into a lengthy period. 

This was an expected announcement and made it even clearer to us that League of Ireland football cannot resume until the summer at the earliest, and likely later. 

Our income streams, like nearly all other businesses in the country, have been decimated and we simply cannot afford to function at our full cost level while having little or no income. 

To do anything else would be reckless and would put the very future of Sligo Rovers under severe threat.

We have taken the following measures:

1) Club employees will be paid in accordance with government support for businesses forced to lay off employees temporarily. All staff have been informed of this. 

2) All players and employees will be able to return to their regular wage upon the resumption of the League of Ireland. A date will be agreed in due course.

3) All staff have been put on this measure, no exceptions have been made, from the manager to players to administrative staff to ground maintenance personnel.

4) Players from outside of Ireland have been given assistance to return home and most have done so.

5) We will do our utmost to support our employees where possible over the coming months. 

As a club we have operated as the most consistent completely full-time employer in the League of Ireland since our return to the Premier Division 15 years ago.

Taking this step today has been the hardest decision we have undertaken in our role of committee members, but we feel it is the correct one, we need to be decisive and show leadership to preserve our club. 

We add that not one member of our board is paid in any way or receive any expense, many other volunteers give endless commitment to Sligo Rovers too. 

Our priority has always been our club, and our staff, as an organisation immersed in and funded by the local community.

The road forward from this crisis is not a clear one, we know this temporary measure will have a major impact in the lives of our staff. We are taking it to ensure there is a future. 

We also recognise the widespread business closures in the area which is very visible in any drive through Sligo town and county. The effects this will have on our community will be significant.

We know it will also bring great concern to our fans and sponsors. Our community and supporter base provides extraordinary support that defies logic and helps sustain our club. 

Our promise as a committee is to get through this period and return with a sustainable and healthy Sligo Rovers. 

The Sligo Rovers Lotto continues to be one of the key fundraisers for the club, as it contributes massively to the weekly running of the club as a whole.

In 2019, the Sligo Rovers Lotto has already paid out more than €24,600 in prizes, making it extremely attractive to play while also representing magnificent value at just €2 per ticket.

The draw takes place each week, with a minimum of €2,000 up for grabs per draw and a maximum of €20,000. There is also a runners up prize for one lucky supporter each week who matches three out of the four numbers drawn, being a Tesco voucher.

There are many different methods to play the popular lotto, being online, annually and weekly.

The annual lotto cards can be purchased from The Showgrounds while the weekly tickets can be purchased throughout the region in various outlets including the Tesco Arcade.

UPDATE:

Due to the ongoing COVID 19 crisis, all lotto will now be via the online method only. The draw will still take place on Monday nights each week.

The club would like to thank everyone who continues to play our lotto weekly, and urge those who haven’t yet played, to do so if they are able to.

Best of luck

We have another competition for our young (and old but you can’t win!) to enter.

Simply click on the link below and print out the picture. We accept all colours so any imaginative ideas are welcome.

Send us the best efforts on our social media

In the first stage of the Bit O’ Red Wall, we brought you many tales of people who bought tiles for varying reasons, it was called Stories from the Wall.  

As a result of a surge of interest from Sligo Rovers fans at home and abroad, the first stage took 302 orders.

To purchase a tile click here Bit O’ Red Wall Tile

The first story of stage two is a very apt one in these times.

Ian McLoughlin from Calry has lived in Shanghai for six years and returns home at Christmas most years, unfortunately rarely taking in a game. 

Two years ago he joined the 500 Club and last November just as he was coming home he got word of winning the top prize of €500. The 500 Club win helped pay for a nice Christmas back in our great town.

After seeing the Wall, Ian has just purchased a tile and updates us from China where the Coronavirus has slowed down after tens of thousands of cases and over a month of lockdown. 

He explains: “It was lockdown for over a month but now its beginning to open up again here like bars, restaurants and shops. 

“It’s beginning to return to normal while Europe is at the stage we were at in early February. 

“The government has really taken it seriously and put in extreme measure which have worked in slowing it down, it seems like that’s started at home now. The schools are not opening yet. That is hoped next month.

“I’m a Shanghai Shenua season ticket holder and that hasn’t gone to much use. I’m more concerned about Rovers of course, but the most important thing is following the guidelines and people to be safe.

“I hope the Wall tile helps Rovers and everyone is keeping safe. Isolation is not easy but we got through it. It’s not over but normality is beggining to return slowly.”

The tile will read:

Social Distance

For the Rovers

Ian McLoughlin

We estimate we lose up to €20,000 per match night when cancelled, with two games cancelled so far, as well as the Easter Camps which regularly generate a five-figure sum.

The tile will be erected at the first possible occasion 

To buy a wall tile click here anytime Bit O’ Red Wall Tile