Tickets for the opening home game of the season are now on sale.

Sligo Rovers host Derry City in the League of Ireland’s Men’s Premier Division on Saturday 24th February, kick-off 7.45pm.

They can be purchased here

Match Tickets (srfcdirect.com)

Our rates for 2024 for all 18 home games will be €20 for adults, €12 concession and €5 adults.

With season tickets, individual match tickets already sold and the away allocation for Derry City, we are already approaching 2,500 tickets gone for the game.

We are encouraging all of our community to be part of the special occasion and ask to purchase your tickets in advance of the game.

Last year’s opening fixture topped 4,000 spectators in The Showgrounds. We will be building to the game on our social media channels and local media as we feel it can be a similar occasion.

It is vital we start the season with a large and passionate crowd supporting our team and financially in revenue on the night so please encourage friends and family to be part of the great occasion.

Season tickets are also still available to purchase. Click on the image below.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce Ellis Chapman has signed for the club on a permanent basis to the end of the 2024 season. The former Cheltenham midfielder had joined the club on loan until the end of June but this has now been made permanent.

John Russell expressed his delight at getting the deal done:

“We have had Ellis in since the start of preseason, obviously the plan was to have him on loan until the end of June. He has done really well since he came in, we’re delighted to get him on a permanent contract. 

“I feel his is an exciting addition, he is a box to box player, he’s had a really good preseason scoring goals, and he fits the profile of the type of player we want at this club. 

“He is a quality player who has settled in really well with the group as well. 

“It is great that he see his future at the club and we’re delighted to get the deal done”

Match tickets for our first three home games are now available below:

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Supporters who have not yet ordered their Season Ticket are encouraged to order it in good time to collect it from the Showgrounds before our first home game of the season on Saturday week v Derry City 24th February.

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Sligo Rovers travel to Dalymount Park for opening game of the season against Bohemians tomorrow, Friday night at 7;45pm.

The game is sold out with a large crowd travelling up from the north west.

Manager John Russell has a full squad to choose from except for John Mahon who is out with a long term injury, and Max Mata who is awaiting clearance following his signing back with the club on loan.   

“We’re looking forward to getting started tomorrow, we have a lot of new players in and I’m happy with where we are in terms of  how they have integrated as a group.

“It is a real boost to get Max back to the club. We know there is a big crowd travelling up which is great to see, and we’re excited to get going”

Our supporters will get a first chance to see our new arrivals in competitive action.

The preseason saw the Bit O’ Red add new arrivals Wilson Waweru, Ellis Chapman, Simon Power, Connor Malley, Charlie Wiggett, JR Wilson, Ollie Denham. In addition Ed McGinty and Max Mata have returned to the Showgrounds on loan, with Owen Elding singing his first professional contract.

The new look Rovers team return to the Showgrounds on Saturday week 24th February against Derry City with a large crowd expected.

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

Sligo Rovers are pleased to announce the return of striker Max Mata on loan from Shrewsbury Town. The New Zealand international was top scorer in the SSE Airtricity league when he left for the League One side last year, and will add firepower to the Rovers squad ahead of the 2024 season.

The New Zealand international will rejoin on a short term loan, when he will return in line with English preseason. The transfer is subject to International Transfer Clearance and work permit and all going well it is hoped he will be available for our first home game v Derry City.

John Russell:

“I’m absolutely delighted to get Max back in. When he left he was top goalscorer in the league, and in my opinion the best centre forward in the league too.

“To get him back into the fold for start of the season is a real boost.

“Max is a modern centre forward, he can link play, run in behind and he’s a real threat. He knows the environment, knows the players, knows the way we want to play, and we feel he can hit the ground running.

Tickets for our first home game v Derry City on 24th February are selling well and as detailed in our recent club update we would urge supporters to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment . We also encourage our supporters to introduce a friend or family to come along to experience the Showgrounds atmosphere.

We are expecting a large crowd to attend and look forward to welcoming supporters back to the Showgrounds.

Match Tickets https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Season Tickets https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2024/

As we approach the beginning of the new season for our men’s team and the women’s team next month, the club would like to issue an update to all of our supporters.

We are pleased that our fans are excited by the hard work and diligent recruitment by John Russell and Tommy Hewitt in recent months.

As a committee our responsibility remains the day-to-day running of the club, to future proof it and build on over 90 years of our proud existence.

Today’s announcement of a new three-year sponsorship agreement with Avant Money is arguably the most important in the history of our club.

Our thanks to Niall Corbett and all of the team at Avant Money can not be understated as their understanding of Sligo Rovers and what it means to the community has made it possible.

It also reflects the growing appeal as one of just two-member owned teams in the top flight.

In an environment where €2 million is the cost of running a Premier Division side and most clubs within the league finance it through billionaire or millionaire investment, we must stress the future will be challenging and requires the expansion of the football club.

Our goal is to have teams that do justice to the proud history of Sligo Rovers. We make an even stronger case for government support on our Masterplan, which we’ll touch on shortly, if, despite the obstacles we have to overcome, we remain a bastion of soccer on the island.

This season we will ask our supporters to help a number of initiatives, geared to keep the side competitive. We will aim to be united on all fronts.

The first of those initiatives is a proposal to create a special night with a packed Showgrounds for the opening home game against Derry City.

Below are the details and following that is an update on the club’s Masterplan.

Attendance for Derry City game

Sligo Rovers v Derry City, the North West derby on Saturday February 24th, is our first game of the 2024 season.

We have been extremely pleased with the level of season ticket sales and we thank for the loyal support. As you enter the ground for the game you’ll see marked improvements in the stadium including new floodlights which will make a marked difference in your match-watching experience.

Through the help of the Bit O’ Red Supporters Trust there is also an expanded merchandise unit.

With season tickets, individual match tickets already sold and the away allocation for Derry City, we are already approaching 2,500 tickets gone for the game.

We are encouraging all of our community to be part of the special occasion and ask to purchase your tickets in advance of the game.

Having sold out the away allocation for Dalymount Park on Friday five days out, we know our supporters are excited to see our young and hungry side ready to represent the Bit O’ Red.

Last year’s opening fixture topped 4,000 spectators in The Showgrounds. We will be building to the game on our social media channels and local media as we feel it can be a similar occasion.

It is vital we start the season with a large and passionate crowd supporting our team and financially in revenue on the night so please encourage friends and family to be part of the great occasion.

Tickets are available here Match Tickets (srfcdirect.com) and we will update you throughout next week. Our rates for 2024 for all 18 home games will be €20 for adults, €12 concession and €5 adults.

Update on Masterplan

As mentioned substantial work has been carried out in the grounds of phase 1 of the Masterplan with the addition of new floodlights, coming from a grant of over €200,000 from the current government as well as significant spending by the club on this project.

The Showgrounds has been the home of Sligo Rovers since the club was founded in 1928.

Sligo Football and Sports Development Society (SFSDS) is a co-operative society, wholly owned by the people.

In 2021, as part of the preparations for the Sligo Rovers in 2028, the club carried out a widespread consultation process. The resultant Masterplan sets out how the club and the Showgrounds might serve future generations.

Statutory Planning Approval for the development, in accordance with the Masterplan, was sought from Sligo County Council and secured in February 2023.

In advance of the new season, the information below provides the latest information about the next phase of the plan.

Following a public procurement process in accordance with the EU rules, an experienced multi-disciplinary design team was appointed in November 2023. The detailed design and costing of the proposed facilities is underway.

The Integrated Design Team comprises the following professionals:
• Rhatigan and Company, Architects (Architect, Assigned Certifier and Employer Representative)
• Atkins Ireland (Civil and Structural Engineers)
• Patrick McCaul (Mechanical and Electrical Engineers)
• ORS (Fire Safety Engineers and PSDP)
• CQS Group (Quantity Surveyors)

Sligo Rovers lodged an application for funding under the IIP scheme last year. It is due to be evaluated during 2024. Westport United FC, Dublin GAA, Monaghan GAA, Connacht Rugby and DCU are among the organisations who have received support under this scheme.

The Department of Sport has indicated it will shortly invite applications for a new round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Sligo Rovers will lodge an application for support. It is expected that allocations from this fund will be made during the lifetime of this government. Earlier work carried out, including receiving planning permission and the appointment of a Design Team, leave Sligo Rovers in contention to benefit from substantial LSSIF funding.

The club is grateful for the ongoing support it is receiving from the local authority, Sligo County Council, the FAI and national and local public representatives in relation to the Masterplan.

We are conscious of the club’s rich history. We hope that the required level of state funding will be provided to allow Sligo Rovers serve the needs of future generations and continue its role as a valued ambassador for the League of Ireland in the regions.

New Role in the Community

We are currently recruiting a Football & Social Responsibility (FSR) Officer who will be responsible for delivery of a Football Community Engagement Strategy for the Club.

The Full Time role will involve the development and implementation of the Club’s social responsibility policy and procedures using football as the mechanism to have a positive and sustainable impact on the community in the region.

The role is supported through and by Sligo County Council and we look forward to an announcement when the process is complete.

We expect to provide further supporter information about specific changes made during the preseason in the lead up to the first home game v Derry City.

https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/

Sligo Rovers and consumer finance and mortgage provider Avant Money today announce an extension to their sponsorship agreement where Avant Money will remain as the club’s main sponsor.

This latest agreement, three-years in duration, will be in effect, up until the end of the 2026.

Built on a shared commitment to elevating the support and commitment to the club, players, fans and communities, the partnership will provide support for SRFC, as well as year-round youth and community-focused events and programs.

Leitrim and Dublin-based Avant Money has been a loyal, dedicated and supportive partner of the Bit O’ Red since the 2020 season.

The company is thrilled to extend the partnership considering the importance of the role the football club plays for the people of the north-west.

Avant Money has also formed a major part of the growth of the women’s Premier Division side, coming on board as primary sponsor since the birth of the side two years ago to add to their contribution to Rovers.

While many clubs have adopted a one-year cycle to jersey changes, the Bit O’ Red and the our sponsors continue to prioritise value for money to loyal supporters who have purchased the jersey.

Considering this, Sligo Rovers, Avant Money and JOMA Sport have agreed to continue with the current Bit O’ Red home jersey for the 2024 season.

The announcement was made by Sligo Rovers CEO Andrew Feakins and Avant Money’s CEO, Niall Corbett at the Showgrounds in Sligo.

Niall Corbett, Avant Money CEO, said: “The extended partnership marks another significant milestone for both Avant Money and Sligo Rovers, and provides participating teams with a great opportunity to prepare for the very competitive league of Ireland that gets under way later this week.

“Supporting talent at a local club and county is immensely important to Avant Money. We understand the pride and passion from players and supporters, which is why we are proud sponsors of the club. We wish the team every success this Friday when they play against Bohemians, and throughout the 2024 league campaign. I know that many of our members, employees and customers are looking forward to a great season ahead.”

“We are delighted that Avant Money will be extending its partnership as main sponsor for Sligo Rovers”, said CEO, Andrew Feakins.

“I would like to express our gratitude to Avant Money’s commitment to the club and its players and am very much looking forward to the opportunities working together brings about as we kick-off the new league season.”