Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Lukas Browning from Dalkurd in Sweden until at least the end of the 2023 season, with an option for a further year which can see him remain at the Bit O’ Red until 2024.

Lukas was born in Drogheda and moved to Sweden, aged two.

The 23-year-old has been capped at both Swedish and Irish underage level and spent time in Holland with FC Twente before moving back to Sweden.

A ball-playing midfielder, he comes to Sligo having been high on Manager John Russell’s radar and is a player Russell is delighted to have on board:

‘’Lukas is a player I’ve been tracking for some time and, I’m delighted he’s agreed to join us.

‘’He has all the attributes of the modern midfield player.

‘’He has a fantastic passing range, good game intelligence, as well as being physically strong. Lukas will bring a different dynamic to our midfield next season.

‘’He is a very ambitious player and I know he sees this move as a really good step in his development. I’m sure the fans will enjoy watching him play’’.

Browning:

“After Sligo Rovers and John presented the plan for the club moving forward I was immediately intrigued and knew this was the place I wanted to continue my football career and development.

“I’m looking forward to joining the team and meeting the players.

“I can’t wait to play in front of the supporters at the Showgrounds.

“John is a manager who demands a lot and wants to progress and develop in every aspect of the game, this aligns well with my view on progression and development”.

The Bit O’ Red now have 18 professionals signed ahead of the 2023 season, with more signings expected in the coming days.

Lukas will wear the number 19 shirt for Rovers next season.

2023 Season Tickets are now available online at srfcdirect.com and with fixtures expected in the next couple of weeks, excitement is now building among supporters.

Sligo Rovers can confirm that a number of supporters have been issued with barring orders from attending Sligo Rovers fixtures at The Showgrounds following an investigation into recent incidents at our fixture against St. Patrick’s Athletic in October at The Showgrounds.

Trouble broke out at half-time in the fixture between both sets of supporters and following investigations in association with An Garda Siochana, we have identified a number of individuals and issued them with stadium bans.

These incidents not only tarnish the club’s good name, built by our supporters and volunteers over our 94 year history, but they also bring needless expense on the club, which it simply does not budget for an can not continue to pay for. The club were issued with fines in excess of €1,500 from this fixture, which is more disappointing knowing that other supporters raise money for the club year on year by buying lotto tickets, season tickets, draw tickets and so on.

An Garda Siochana are in dialogue with their counterparts in Dublin with regards away supporter behaviour on the night and these investigations are ongoing.

Sligo Rovers does not tolerate and will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour at The Showgrounds or at any club fixtures and will continue to endeavour to ensure that problems such as those against St Patrick’s Athletic will not happen again.

While Sligo Rovers do not wish to ban any supporters from coming to The Showgrounds, we will continue to stamp out these incidents by issuing more bans in the future should we need to.

Sligo Rovers has a proud history, with a strong name and strong values in our community, welcoming people from all walks of life and welcoming families to our club and these incidents are not welcome or accepted at The Showgrounds.

We would remind supporters that CCTV cameras are operated throughout our match nights and these cameras were extremely important in dealing with this matter in the manner we have. Cameras are located in all areas of the ground.

We wish to thank Power Right for their help in installing these cameras in support of the club in 2020.

Ends

This Monday’s Lotto jackpot stands at €16,000.

The draw takes place at 3pm at The Showgrounds.

You can enter from as little as €2 per line online via the below link:

https://sligoroversfc.clubforce.com/products/sligo-rovers-fc-lotto

We also have a Black Friday offer which offers you 2 lines in every lotto draw for a full year, which usually would cost €208. (52 weeks x €4)

We are doing a special offer of 2 lines in every draw for just €100, making a huge saving of €108.

You can get this via the link below:

https://srfcdirect.com/black-friday-lotto-offer-2-lines-for-one-year-subscription/

Best of luck to all our entrants in Monday’s draw and thanks for the ongoing support.

Sligo Rovers are delighted to announce that Anthony Elding has returned to the club today to take up the position of Under 17 Men’s Head Coach.

Anthony was part of Longford Town’s Academy set up over the last couple of years and was previously Sligo Rovers’ Under 13 Assistant Manager in 2019.

Elding has a long-standing history with Sligo Rovers and 2023 will mark the tenth anniversary of signing with the club back in 2013, a season which ended with him scoring the winner in the FAI Cup final against Drogheda United.

The new Under 17 Men’s Head Coach is excited for the challenge ahead:

‘’I am delighted to be joining Sligo Rovers as a head coach of the u17s. I appreciate this opportunity that has been given to me by Conor O’Grady our Head of Youth Development, along with everyone else at the club in making this possible.

‘’Over the past years I’ve been away from the football club, looking in, it’s evident that the football club has made huge successful strides on and off the field, I am honoured to be a part of the club’s next phase.

‘’To see so many former players involved throughout the football club from the first team down to u14s is just incredible, all of which, knows exactly what it takes to achieve success at this wonderful football club’’.

Elding is a UEFA A licence holder and has impressed in his time both here and Longford Town with his professionalism and drive and will get to see some of his potential squad for the first time on December 11^th when the club hold trials at The Showgrounds.

Head of Academy Conor O’ Grady is thrilled to have Anthony back at The Showgrounds:

‘’Anthony is a top coach and will no doubt bring the lads on in their development here at the club next season.

‘’Along with our other coaches in the Academy, Anthony will look to develop players and ultimately give them the best opportunity of progressing through the system and into the first-team.

‘’He is a top professional and brings with him a real willingness to help players and maintain the most professional environment for them to work in’’.

Elding is keen to get going and continuing to develop players through the Academy and into the first-team plans:

‘’When we look at the number of underage players who have transitioned from our youth system into the first team squads, making multiple appearances in the league of Ireland and in Europe is incredible to see, the future really does looks bright! I have a burning desire to continue this excellent work as head coach of the U17s.

‘’I am extremely self-motivated with strong leadership qualities whilst applying excellent organisation skills, I am adaptable to any given challenge with a professional working attitude. At this stage of my coaching/managerial career, having managed at Longford town over the past 3 years where I finished off with an u17 league title win, gave me excellent opportunity to improve as a coach, I will always be grateful to Longford Town FC for the 3 year’s opportunity they gave me in allowing me to excel. I was interested in expanding my professional horizons in securing this challenging new role within our ambitious football club’’.

Our Under 17 team are sponsored by Ivor Parke Painters and Decorators who have been sponsors of this side since its introduction to the League.

We look forward to 2023 working with Anthony and this young squad.

It was a proud day for Mayo’s Aoife Brennan yesterday as she was awarded with Buy4Pets Online Goal of the Season for her wonderful goal against Treaty United at The Showgrounds back in April, which helped the Bit O’ Red to a 3-1 win.

Brennan won the award as part of an online vote.

The award was sponsored by Buy4Pets online, part of the Pet Stop brand.

Congratulations Aoife.

Emma Doherty was included in the Womens National League Team of The Year at last night’s Womens National League awards at The Gibson Hotel in Dublin.

Doherty scored 11 goals this season in her debut year at this level and impressed throughout, earning her 11 International appearances for The Republic of Ireland Under 19’s along the way.

Doherty is currently on a Sligo Rovers/ATU Sligo scholarship and part of the Universities Womens Senior team.

Congratulations Emma.

The SSE Airtricity Women’s National League Awards take place in Dublin tonight, with Sligo Rovers represented by Manager Steve Feeney and players Emma Doherty and Aoife Brennan.

Feeney is up for Manager of The Year after steering his side to an 8th placed finish in the club’s first season at this level. The Bit O’ Red finished the season on 20 points and picked up key wins over experience sides such as Wexford Youths and Shelbourne along the way.

Striker Emma Doherty is nominated for Young Player of The Year after an impressive season in front of goal, scoring 11 times. Doherty also picked up 11 appearances for Ireland Under 19’s in 2022.

Aoife Brennan is in line for the goal of the season award after being nominated for her brilliant free-kick in April in a 3-1 win over Treaty United at The Showgrounds. Brennan scored twice on the day with two perfect set pieces.

Sligo Rovers will hold a fan’s forum at our partners, The Clayton Hotel Sligo next Wednesday, November 30th at 8pm.

Men’s senior team Manager John Russell will be in attendance to discuss his reign so far and what’s to come in 2023 as well as take questions from the floor.

Club Chairman Tommy Higgins will be joined by other club officials and will discuss the club’s Master Plan, Membership and other club activity and news.

The event starts at 8pm and fans can purchase Season Tickets, Wall Tiles and 500 Club Membership on the night.

Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that midfielder David Cawley has signed a one-year contract extension today, keeping him at The Showgrounds until at least the end of the 2023 League of Ireland season.

Cawley is the club’s all-time record European appearance holder and captained the side in our 2022 European campaign earlier this Summer.

Cawley, from Ballina, will go into his tenth season at the club next year during two different spells here from 2012 to the end of 2015 and re-signing before the 2018 season until now.

In that time, he has made over 250 appearances and scored over 25 goals, making him an important part of the club and an influential player to the younger members of the Bit O’ Red squad throughout his time here.

The Mayo man underwent a minor procedure on his hip before the end of the season to ensure a faster recovery well in time for a return to training when the squad assembles in January.

Manager John Russell is delighted to retain Cawley for another year:

‘’David has been a brilliant player for this club. He is now moving into his tenth season with Sligo Rovers and, he is still as hungry as ever to be successful.

‘’He has won trophies throughout his career and understands what it takes to win matches.

‘’He is an intelligent footballer who will play a big part both on and off the pitch with his quality and in setting standards around the club.

I feel he will be like a new signing after his recent operation and I’m delighted he has re-signed for 2023’’.

In 2012, Cawley was a key part of the club’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division title win under then Manager Ian Baraclough. Cawley signed for the Bit O’ Red at the start of that season from Ipswich Town, where he signed as a teenager from his home-town Ballina.

Cawley also played an important role in our 2013 FAI Cup winning season as well as our Setanta Sports Cup win in 2014, where we defeated Dundalk 1-0 at Tallaght Stadium.

The midfielder is thrilled to sign an extension with the club today:

‘’I am going into my tenth season here at Rovers and I have loved every minute of it, with plenty of ups and downs.

‘’I have managed to win a League, an FAI Cup and a Setanta Sports Cup and captaining the club in the last few years has been a big honour for me.

‘’Our European run a few months back was something else, it was great to see a buzz like that at The Showgrounds and it reminded me of the time we won the league ten years ago. Special moments like that don’t come around too often.

‘’We were disappointed to miss out on Europe for next season, but we aim to get back there next year and have a better run in the cup. We are due a good cup run and hopefully make it to the Aviva again.

‘’From the players we have already and the young lads coming through I have no doubt the future is bright. Add to that the new lads coming in that John has signed and we have a right good group.

‘’The intensity John and Ryan have brought to training since they’ve been appointed has been brilliant and something I believe as a player is how it should be.

‘’You should train as you intend to play and they both demand that, which really helps the squad and the young lads develop.

‘’I am looking forward to playing under John again next season’’.

Cawley returns to pre-season training in January with his fellow Rovers’ team-mates who met up this past week for the first time since the end of the 2022 season.

Cawley’s signing means that John Russell now has 18 professionals signed for 2023.

Sligo Rovers Football Club are delighted to announce that today we have lodged a planning application with Sligo County Council for the first phase of our Master Plan.

The application was prepared by Rhatigan Architects and includes the redevelopment of the Showgrounds to exceed the minimum requirements of a UEFA Category 3 stadium, achieved as follows;

• Redevelopment of the Showgrounds to be an all-seated stadium with a capacity in excess of 6,100 seats
• Construction of a new Spectator Stand at the Church Hill Road End (approx. 1,370 seats),
• Construction of a new Spectator Stand in place of the current Jinks Avenue Stand (approx. 2,060 seats),
• Minor alterations to the Tracey Avenue Stand including the erection of a TV gantry at the rear of the stand and the provision of new toilets beneath,
• Provision of a cantilevered roof to the existing Pet Stop End,
• Provision of additional turnstiles at the rear of the new Jinks Avenue Stand for away supporters,
• Upgrade of the carparking facilities on site including resurfacing, line marking and lighting,
• Upgrade of the playing surface to a higher specification whilst enlarging the pitch towards Church Hill Road to meet UEFA Category 3 pitch size standards.

Sligo Rovers Chairman Tommy Higgins:

“This is a great day for Sligo Rovers Football Club and the first phase of our Masterplan we announced last year.

‘’In order to stay competitive in the Premier Division we have to bring more income into the club and The Showgrounds redevelopment is a vital part of our plans”

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill:

“Sligo Rovers to me epitomise all that is great about League of Ireland football with their commitment to providing the best pathways for male and female players of all ages. These plans for The Showgrounds also confirm the club’s desire to provide the very best facilities for all their players, members and supporters and they provide an example of how we can all work together – our clubs, the FAI and local and national Government – to drive Irish football forward within the framework of our FAI Strategy 2022-2025.’’

The new stands will accommodate multipurpose spaces, match night catering facilities, shop, gym, corporate and sponsors facilities, offices and meeting rooms, new media centre, changing rooms to serve the existing Astro pitch, toilets and ancillary spaces. The stands have been designed with a focus on capturing the special match-night atmosphere in the Showgrounds, with the three new roofs joined to enhance the feeling of enclosure and to assist in capturing and containing the noise of the supporters. Externally the exposed concrete structure will provide a strong new aesthetic to the grounds as fans enter via Church Hill Road.

League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon:

“Sligo is and always has been a hotbed of football and these ambitious plans for the future of The Showgrounds reflect the desire of Sligo Rovers FC to be at the heart of the game in a real football town. We support these exciting plans for the new stadium which will provide modern facilities for the fans to enjoy and a fitting stage for Sligo football for many years to come.”

Following a successful application for Sports Capital Funding the Club is also about to go to tender for the upgrade of the floodlights to UEFA standards. This will be achieved through the provision of 2 new corner columns on the Jinks Avenue side in line with the planning grant received last year and the retrofitting of the existing floodlights on the Treacy Ave side with LEDs. 

Pending receipt of Planning Permission in early 2023 the next step for the club will be to pursue various funding streams to bring this exciting project to the next stage which will include detail design and tendering.

The club would like to thank Rhatigan Architects and their team for their work to date on this project.

Sligo Rovers Treasurer David Rowe:

“The completion of the development of The Showgrounds outlined in the Master Plan would be a game changer for the Club’s finance, in addition to providing our supporters in the community with a well-deserved state of the art facility”

Walter Holleran, FAI Head of Grant Funding & infrastructure Development:

“The FAI welcomes the announcement by Sligo Rovers of their application for planning permission for the redevelopment of The Showgrounds stadium. The ambition shown by the club within these plans should be commended and we look forward to working with the Club on the development of the stadium and all facilities for all their teams.”