New Athlone Town chairman outlines ambitious plans
by Kevin O'Neill Updated: Wednesday, 22nd February, 2012 5:30pm
RECENTLY installed Athlone Town chairman John Croughan has this week tipped Mike Kerley's team to compete in the upper reaches of the 2012 Airtricity League First Division, which is due to begin for Athlone at Lissywollen on Friday week (March 2).
A successful and well respected local businessman, Croughan took the reins at Athlone Town FC's recent AGM, taking over from Tony Knight, who remains on the club committee.
Among Croughan's list of things to accomplish this year includes the rubber-stamping of the club's new full-time CEO; the construction of an astro-turf facility at Lissywollen; and the improvement and growth of club relations with bodies such as the Athlone & District Schoolboy League.
Though off-field matters tend to consume much of the committee's time, Croughan has a great desire to see the club prosper on the playing field. And speaking after last Saturday's 3-0 friendly defeat to Premier Division Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds, Croughan said Athlone are showing "encouraging signs" throughout their pre-season campaign.
Though loathe to place any extra expectation on Mike Kerley's shoulders, Croughan said: "I was very impressed by Athlone against Sligo, and they played some of the best football I've seen Athlone play in over two years. It wasn't kick and rush stuff, it was enjoyable to watch. The team was competitive throughout the game, and you have to realise Sligo are a quality outfit. They challenged strongly for the Premier Division title last year, and have won two FAI Cups in a row.
"Obviously, there's a few weaknesses in the Athlone set-up, but Mike (Kerley) is working hard to improve the squad, and there will probably be a couple more additions to the squad before the start of the season. People also have to recognise Mike is working with a very tight budget, but there's great drive within the team, and I think they'll improve upon last season. There's a lot of young players in the squad, lads who have gained fantastic experience over the past year or so, and they're going to get better too. I definitely think Athlone have enough within the squad to compete in the top three or four in the First Division."
In relation to possible new additions to the first-team squad, Athlone have this week been linked to signing a couple of players on loan from Sligo, with attacker Mark McGoldrick thought to be one of Kerley's targets.
Athlone have until Thursday to make loan signings, and are still desperate to add to their goalkeeping options.
Former Salthill netminder, Bernard Power, played for Athlone in the defeat to Sligo, and could possibly be offered a contract in the coming days. However, it's believed Kerley is also still looking for a more experienced goalkeeper.
Athlone have so far made six new signings during the off-season, and three of those (Garvan Broughall, Ross Kenny and Brian McCarthy) featured in last Saturday's friendly.
Athlone's pre-season build-up gathers pace over the coming days, with the Town taking on UCD in the last 16 of the Leinster Senior Cup at Belfield next Monday, February 27 (7.45pm). Athlone were also due to play another friendly last night at Tullamore Town, and their league campaign begins with a home fixture against SD Galway on March 2 (Lissywollen, 7.45pm).
Meanwhile, Mr Croughan confirmed the club's new full-time CEO should be appointed within a two to four week period.
"The interview panel has been set up, and is completely independent of the club itself," said Mr Croughan.
"The appointment of a CEO is an exciting development for the club, and one we look forward to seeing prosper. There's been 13 or 14 applications for the post, so I'm sure the calibre of whoever is appointed will be very good.
"Personally, I took on the role of chairman because I feel I can bring something to the table. Unfortunately, the club has been run on a season to season basis over recent years, and that's not the way to do it.
"We've lacked a bit of direction, but it's my intention to put the club on a sound footing over the next couple of years, and there are various improvements that we hope to implement in the near future.
"We need to re-establish the club as something of a people's club in Athlone. We need better and stronger youth structures, greater links with the ADSL and other local bodies and organisations, and we want to eventually run the club on a 'co-operative' basis. The people need to be more involved with the running of their club, and we also have to create more streams of regular revenue. To this end, the construction of the proposed astro-turf facility will be crucial.
"Not only will it give the club regular income, but it also helps bring people closer to the club, and gives the whole club a more community feel," Croughan added.
