by John Donohoe

The Longford club want to develop the grounds in readiness for entry into the premier division of the Eircom National League in August 2000.

The chairman and executive of Longford Town propose to erect a 1,500 seat stand with dressing rooms, toilets, tea-room, shop, medical room, laundry, bootroom, equipment store, general stores, boardroom, hospitality suites, offices, canteens and toilets.

This £550,000 proposal would ensure compliance with eight league rules, and the remaining two league rules to be complied with relate to turnstiles and the complete enclosure of the ground.

It is also proposed to develop an outer concourse, complete with ticket and programme booths, new turnstiles and entrance gate, and an inner concourse betwen the turnstiles and the new stand.

The final proposal is to drain, surface and floodlight the existing car park.

Planning permission has been applied for and it is hoped it will be granted by early March. According to Longford Town chairman, Adrian Duncan, the club hopes to raise £300,000 of the total cost and make up the balance through grant-aid from the FAI Eircom League and the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation’s Sports Capital Programme.

Paying tribute to manager Stephen Kenny and his team who are on the threshold of entry into the Premier Division of the Eircom National League, he said the onus was now on the club to prepare adequately for the tougher challenges presented by the virtue of perticipating in a higher division, and called on everyone interested to “stand up and be counted.”

One of the challenges, and the most immediate from the club’s point of view, he said, is the provision of proper spectator facilities at Strokestown Road.

“Under the heading Ground Facilities in the new blueprint for the Eircom League, twelve league rules are listed for enforcement in the 2000-01 seasons for all National League Grounds.”

Of these twelve league rules, the home ground complies with only one. It is proposed to fundraise the £300,000 through various levels of sponsorship.

A ten year ‘Gold’ membership for £3,000 will entitle one to a season ticket, club membership, golden nameplate on seat, name on commemorative scroll, accessto hospitality suite and 10% discount in club shop - all for 10 years.

A five year silver membership of £1,500 will entitle the donor to the same deal for five years, and a bronze for £200, for one year.

“The executive feel that this is an ideal method of fundraising, as it gives all our supporters an opportunity to support the club in a unique way, and in doing so, they can ensure a facility which we can all be proud of and which will be in place for our premiership campaign next season,” Adrian Duncan stated.