Our Under 14 squad will travel to Liverpool this weekend as we continue to grow our partnership with the English Premier League club.

In January 2021, we announced a strategic partnership with The Toffees with the view that we would partner on initiatives and cross-promotional activities ranging from fan engagement, marketing, content collaborations and tailored membership packages to the development of joint football summer camps and the opportunity for pre-season training bases for Academy teams at both clubs.  

With COVID 19 impacting on travel throughout 2021, Bit O’ Red Chairman Tommy Higgins, Head of Academy Conor O’ Grady and First Team Men’s assistant manager John Russell took the opportunity to visit The Blues at the start of this month for a two day visit.

The lads met with former Bit O’ Red star Seamus Coleman as well as other Everton staff and watched the sides victory over Brentford in the FA Cup.

Our Under 14 squad, managed by Alan Farry will take on their Everton counterparts in a friendly at 4pm on Friday at the club’s state of the art Finch Farm training centre.

On Saturday the squad will take in Everton first team Premier League tie with Manchester City at Goodison Park as special guests of the club.

On Sunday at Fleetwood Town FC, the squad will take part in a six-team tournament. The lads are in a group of three against the hosts and Oldham Athletic.

Under 14 boss Alan Farry:

”It promises to be a weekend to remember for the lads. To play at Finch Farm tomorrow will be something special for them and then to see such a high quality game on Saturday will be a fantastic learning curve for them. We wrap up on Sunday with an exciting tournament at Fleetwood which they are all really looking forward to”.

We look forward to continuing to work with Everton over the coming months on other projects which are currently being worked on by both clubs.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to reveal our brand-new 2022 Third choice jersey as we take to the road for the first time this season with a trip to Inchicore this Friday night.

The kit, designed in association with our kit supplier JOMA Sport, is a fresh design which will incorporate our Bit O’ Red on its crest.

Designed with a V-neck and raglan sleeves for ease of movement, it incorporates a Micro-Mesh technology in underarms and sides to provide optimal breathability. The kit will be donned for the first time in Friday’s game along with a black short and black sock combination.

The club are also delighted to announce a new contract extension with our Kit and Sportswear supplier JOMA, who have now been our suppliers for the last 6 years. The new extension will see the brand be part of the Sligo Rovers team until at least the end of 2024.

JOMA Sport Brand Manager for Ireland Susanne McNamara:

‘’JOMA Sport is delighted to renew its sponsorship with Sligo Rovers FC for a third consecutive contract. Having developed a strong working relationship with the club on many levels, Joma will continue to provide all On-Field Playing Kits, Training, Travel and Leisurewear.

We look forward to continuing our support for a club that plays such an important part in Ireland’s soccer community, particularly with new developments such as the Ladies Teams and Academy. We wish them the very best of luck in the ongoing season.’’

Club Chairman Tommy Higgins expressed his satisfaction with the news:

‘’As a club, we are delighted with both the service and product on offer from JOMA Sport. Since 2016, we have had an excellent working relationship with the brand and look forward to working together for at least the next three seasons. The new jersey is a beautiful design and we hope that our supporters like it’’.

The jersey is out now and available online here https://srfcdirect.com/kits/third/ .

You can also visit The Showgrounds Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm to purchase yours or call into partners at Intersport Elverys in Johnston Court Shopping Centre open daily from 9.30am.

The club will be releasing our 2022 Third choice jersey tomorrow morning at 9am on our online platforms.

The jersey, designed in association with our sponsors AvantMoney will be available online at www.srfcdirect.com and at our partners Intersport Elverys.

The jersey will be a must have for all Bit O’ Red supporters as we begin our campaign away to St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night in Dublin.

The team will wear our new kit on the night.

Sligo Rovers host Bohemian FC on Saturday night in The Showgrounds as the new SSE Airtricity Premier Division season gets underway for both clubs.

The match is subject to a 10am pitch inspection. Tickets will be on sale on match night at turnstiles as well as online at srfcdirect.com. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

The teams last met on the final night of the 2021 season, playing out a 1-1 draw. Rovers enjoyed two wins over the Gypsies during that season, while Keith Long’s side also had a home success. 

The Bit O’ Red have not won the opening game of the season since 2014 with a 2-1 win over Athlone Town the last victory.

Rovers achieved their highest finish (third) since 2013 last season. 

Paddy Kirk (Longford Town), Aidan Keena (Falkirk), Karl O’Sullivan (Finn Harps), Will Fitzgerald (Derry City), Nando Pijnaker (on loan from Rio Ave), Jordan Hamilton (Indy Eleven) and Max Mata (Real Monarchs) are the new Rovers signings this campaign.

In team news, Liam Buckley will have a full squad to choose from with no absentees. 

Buckley said: “It is great to get to the point where the season is about to begin. Pre-season has involved a lot of hard work and commitment from the players. 

“It’s a period of trying to be as best prepared as you can for the first game and the next nine months that come with it. It’s only the competitive matches that truly bring you on and test you. Every pre-season brings its own challenges and while we had the occasional setback, I’m happy we’re able to go into the game with all of our players available. We’ll assess the group and picks the team we feel best equipped for Saturday.  

“It’s fantastic for everyone at the club to be getting ready for a game with The Showgrounds at maximum capacity and the atmosphere and occasion that comes with it. I want the players to experience that and get a feel for the support that will be with them. 

“Bohs have a fine squad assembled and a very good management team. I’ve no doubt they’ll be setting their sights on at least a European finish and have equipped themselves with that in mind. We put the focus on ourselves.

“I’ve been delighted with the players we’ve retained here. They’ve done fantastically well and now we’ve brought in some new faces who we also feel are driven and ambitious and want to bring us forward again. That’s the challenge and one that excites us all. 

“We’re looking forward to the game and getting the season underway.”

Saturday night sees Sligo Rovers men’s team begin the new season at home to Bohemians. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Tickets:

Home fans:

Tickets are on sale online here and will be up to kick-off. They will also be available are on match night at turnstiles.

As well as cash, a credit card system option will also be available this season.

Supporters are encouraged to use the tap facility to avoid delays.

Seating:

Seating is on a first come basis with the exception of golden season tickets where they are reserved in the Treacy Avenue Stand. Please note the names on seat and respect the reservation. Anyone sitting in a seat that has a name will be asked to move.

Away fans:

Tickets are sold out. No more will be available.

Any Bohemians fans attempting to gain access via home turnstiles will be refused entry. There is no access to the away end from the home entrance.

Parking

The Showgrounds car park is for players, staff and officials and will close to the public at 6:30pm.

Public parking is available around the area but it’s limited. Please respect the local residents. Sligo Rovers fans arriving after 7pm and Bohemians supporters unfamiliar with the area have the option of parking in Sligo town which is just a 5-10 minute walk away.

This includes Summerhill College, Wine Street, Adelaide Street.

Coaches will be permitted in the stadium.

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce the signing of striker Max Mata from US outfit Real Monarchs for the 2022 season.

Mata, 21, has been capped by New Zealand and has previous experience in Europe with Swiss side Grasshopper and a loan spell with Estonian outfit Nomme Kalju.

The striker had a prolific run of form with Kalju, scoring nine times in 11 league starts and playing in their Europa League qualifier against Celtic.

His overall record was 12 goals in 20 appearances. During that spell he was a team-mate of former Rovers player Sander Puri.

Having shone at academy level in New Zealand as a youngster, he joined Wellington Phoenix where his form in the reserve league and appearing in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with New Zealand led to an initial move to Grasshopper.

At 20 he joined the Monarchs in the USL Championship, the second tier of the US, in 2021 and scored twice in 11 starts.

His international debut came against Lithuania as he appeared as a substitute along with recent Rovers signing Nando Pijnaker.

He joins subject to work permit and international clearance.

Mata said: “I’m very happy to join Sligo Rovers. When the chance came up I didn’t have to think long about it. I want to play games and I want to score goals and Ireland was very appealing. I’ve played in Europe before and done well and I definitely think I can do it again.

“I enjoyed the experience in America last season, with a regret of not playing as much as I would have liked. I’m very motivated to come to Sligo, play games and score goals.

“I don’t think integration will be a problem being an English-speaking country. I’m excited to experience the League of Ireland and play here.

“It’s just a matter of being focused and I’ll be totally committed to succeeding here.

“Sligo Rovers have been doing well in Ireland, I’ve spoken with the coach about what he wants the team to be and it all added up to me wanting to be in Sligo and achieving both my own targets and those of the team.”

One familiar face for Mata will be Pijnaker as the duo link up again.

“I was with Nando in Switzerland and with New Zealand obviously so it’ll be a help for sure. It’ll also be good for settling into training and the team so that’s great. I’m looking forward to meeting all my team-mates and making my debut as soon as I can.”

Manager Liam Buckley said: “We’re delighted to get Max. He’s another really good footballer and a forward player to compliment Aidan Keena, Jordan Hamilton and Cillian Heaney who has done well this pre-season.

“He’s done well in Europe beforehand. From a career point of view he’s on the up and we can see how driven he is and how much he wants to do well in the game.

“He’s still only 21 and played in the USL Championship last season so he’s coming here with good experience already.

“He’s most certainly a number nine and can also play in a two. It’s good to have that option. Max is in a very good physical condition, and it’ll just be about getting him up to speed from a match point of view and settling into the league. Both Jordan and Max will be with us this week hopefully and be part of training before the Bohemians game.

“The squad is close to completion but we remain in the market certainly. There are players out there who are of interest. It’s important to have a squad to get us through the season and that it is balanced. It’s a long season with 40+ games in all competitons and we want to make sure we’re covered.

“Bringing in Nando, Jordan and Max really compliments the players we have at our disposal. I’m happy with where we’re at, the players are working very hard to be ready for Saturday night and we’re looking forward to getting underway and particularly in front of our own supporters on Saturday night.”

Two Californian based Bit O’ Red supporters have shown their support for local Sligo charities by sponsoring a Men’s team player on their behalf for the 2022 season.

Joseph Lima and Lisa Beach have been kindly donating to the club in recent seasons and allowing a local charity to benefit from the exposure that comes with such sponsorships.

This year, they have paid for sponsorships for Will Fitzgerald, Mark Byrne and Adam McDonnell.

New signing Fitzgerald will be sponsored in name by Sligo Volunteer Centre. Sligo Volunteer Centre provides a link for people looking to volunteer locally and non-profit groups looking for volunteers.

Ciara Herrity, manager of Sligo Volunteer Centre:

”Sligo Volunteer Centre are delighted to sponsor Will Fitzgerald for this upcoming season. This was made possible by donors Lisa Beach and Joseph Lima in California, USA.

“As much as we love Sligo for the beauty of the region, the most important natural resource is the people within it. We hope to celebrate their strength and resilience during these times with this sponsorship on behalf of the Sligo Volunteer Centre, and hope you volunteer through them and support their work.” Joseph Lima & Lisa Beach.

Mark Byrne will be sponsored by Sligo Tidy Towns. Sligo Tidy Towns is organised and run by a group of volunteers who are passionate and proud of the place they live in. Their mission is to help Sligo continue to tap into its huge tourism potential – and to further develop Sligo’s tourism.

Sligo Tidy Towns is always on the lookout for extra help and new volunteers. If you think you have a couple of hours to spare each week, they’d love to hear from you. You can email sligotidytowns@gmail.com.

Adam McDonnell will be sponsored by Sligo Lend a Hand. Lend a Hand is provided free of charge by a pool of voluntary handy-persons and helpers. The service includes minor repairs and small jobs inside and outside of the house. The emphasis is that no job is too small.

To avail of the Sligo Lend a Hand Service call a dedicated phone line 087 177 6386 from 11 am – 3 pm, Monday-Friday. The coordinator will organize a team of volunteers to make a home visit. The repairs will be carried out in pairs, at a time agreed with the service user and the Sligo Lend a Hand coordinator.

The club would like to thank Joseph & Lisa for their sponsorship of the club and also their promotion of these important local organisations.

None of these organisations have spent any funding on these sponsorships and have been fully funded by Joseph & Lisa.

Canadian striker Jordan Hamilton has signed for Sligo Rovers for the 2022 season.

The 25-year-old has joined subject to work permit and international clearance.

Hamilton was a member of Toronto FC’s historic 2017 treble-winning team and also won three Canadian Championship trophies.

He scored 11 goals in 54 MLS regular season games. In 2020 he joined Columbus Crew where he was again part of an MLS Cup winning-squad and was last with Indy Eleven in the USL as he scored five goals in 18 matches.

In the USL his total record is 21 goals in 61 games, having scored regularly with every club he has joined.

Hamilton is also a former international having been capped twice at senior level by his country.

Rovers boss Liam Buckley: “Jordan is a technically good and talented footballer with not just strong MLS experience but also having done really well in the USL. We feel Jordan is a good signing for us and he can bring his form in the US to the league here.

“There will be a period he has to acclimatise to the league and a new season, but I think he will show to be a really good addition to the group.

“He can score goals and as a footballer he’s very accomplished as well as in the air. He joins subject to a work permit which we hope to process as soon as we can.

“We are in the market for more attacking players, bearing in mind we have lost Johnny Kenny. Aidan Keena and Jordan are great signings for us and when we finish the group in the next week or so I think it’ll show we’ll have some fantastic players at our disposal.”

Jordan Hamilton said: “I’m very pleased to join Sligo Rovers. It’s exciting to play in a new league and in Europe and I can’t wait to experience it. I want to help the team achieve its goals this season and show what I can bring.

“The team has been in the top four of the table for two years and the manager has told me about what a competitive league it is. I’m excited for the challenge and to play in front of all the Sligo Rovers fans.”  

Sligo Rovers today welcome the news of the awarding of a sport capital grant of €211,674 for redevelopment work in The Showgrounds.

The announcement was made by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sports and Media and the Bit O’ Red wish to thanks Minister Catherine Martin, Minister of State Jack Chambers and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, for their support.

Today’s announcement is a crucial next step in the Sligo Rovers Masterplan that allows for Phase 1 of it to begin.

This includes new floodlights in the stadium which will see The Showgrounds achieve the minimum requirements set out in both UEFA Category 2 and UEFA Category 3 stadia as well and other ground improvements.

The Masterplan vision for Sligo Rovers is a new 6,000 stadium to achieve all the needed all the requirements of a UEFA Category 3 stadium.

This week Sligo Rovers invested €100,000 of the club’s funds in a planning process and will spend a further six-figure sum later in the year to bring the project forward with the support of the club’s fans and members through the club’s renowned fundraising mechanisms.

The club also acknowledges how all four of the constituency TDs are providing cross-party support of Sligo Rovers. We also thank all of the elected members of Sligo County Council and its management team who are backing the club’s development plan.

Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “It’s very heartening for a community-owned club to have practical encouragement as we strive to create the facilities the region deserves.

“In our discussions with ministers and elected representatives on a local and national level, we feel they see the vision we have but also the results we are producing. That is through investing in footballers and giving a pathway, both male and female, and being a focal point within the region providing facilities and a place of inclusivity.

“I wish to thank Ministers Catherine Martin and Jack Chambers for this allocation which will bring great improvements to The Showgrounds. Through our application we have demonstrated the ambition of so many stakeholders to take Sligo Rovers to a new level. 

“We have the FAI being fully supportive, describing Sligo Rovers as the standard-bearer in community work. Sligo County Council are very much behind us and on a national level we believe there is an understanding that football, and in particular the League of Ireland, must grow in order for the game as a whole to thrive in years to come.

“There is no time to waste and we will bring forward the next phase of our plan as soon as possible. We want to develop more international footballers in our academy, male and female, and have our facilities utilise the incredible talent in a huge catchment north-west area while we generate increased revenue to invest more in trying to achieve our overall target.

“Our centenary is just six years away and we want to bring the plan forward with that in mind.

“Finally, I wish to thank the ministers again and my colleagues at Sligo Rovers for their fantastic work in reaching a new stage of this plan.”

Oh Hello Clothing have become official partners to our Senior Women’s team for the 2022 season.

As part of the partnership, The Oh Hello Clothing logo will appear on the back of our match shirts across all games in our first ever Women’s National League season. In 2021, the company appeared on our Women’s Under 19 team kit as the team reached the Shield Semi-Final after a brilliant first season.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership on Friday, owners of Oh Hello Clothing Graham & Kimberley Lee said:

‘ We are absolutely delighted to be involved with the Bit O Red Ladies once again this year and particularly proud to be sponsoring the Senior team in their inaugural season. The club as whole is growing from strength to strength through hard work and determination, and this ties in perfectly with our company ethos. We wish the ladies every success this season and can’t wait to see them in action.’

Sligo Rovers manager Steve Feeney commented: ‘’Its great that The Lee family have once again backed the club and in particular the women’s team. The company has gone from strength to strength and shows what good businesses we have here on our doorstep in Sligo. We’ll be looking forward to seeing the kits in competitive action as we get closer and closer to the league season in March’

Oh Hello Clothing are located at Unit 6a, GWI Business Park, Collooney and you can visit their website ohellocothing.com