Athlone Town FC have appointed John Croghan as club chairman following their AGM with Damien Milton in the role of vice-chairman. Tommy O’Neill is the club secretary with John Comber elected as treasurer, and Tony Knight is the club’s president.
Today, February17, is the closing date for applications for the post of CEO of the football club. Spokesman Damien Milton told the Advertiser it is hoped the new post would be filled by the beginning of next season. However he added if Athlone Town feel they have not found the person they are looking for, they would be re-advertising the post.
The new chief executive officer will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the club, and will forge strong ties with the Athlone and District Schoolboys and girls League (ADSL ), and with Athlone IT.
This is also a role that will involve the successful candidate working closely with the board of management in the ongoing development of the club, to develop and implement a strategic business plan that will guide the future development of the football club.
“There are up to 1,400 boys and girls playing each week in one of the best organised leagues in the country, namely the ADSL. We would like to see more five-a-side being played at half time during home league games.”
It’s hoped the club will return to being a stronger part of the community he stated as it is only as strong as the people behind it. It’s no secret that the gates at Lissywollen have fallen in recent years in line with a fall-off in attendances in other sporting codes.
The new club vice-chairman confirmed there had been a big number of applications and some of the candidates are well known with at least one of those known on a national level.
An interview process will now be put in place to select the successful candidate.
Mr Milton has called for more people within Athlone and the wider community to become involved in various committees. A new all-weather pitch is planned close to the stadium and there will be special emphasis on growing club membership in an effort to safeguard the future of the club.
Meanwhile Athlone Town FC have been successful in being awarded a premier licence for the 2012 season at Sunday’s FAI Club Licensing meeting.
The licensing officer Chris Enright said he was delighted that Athlone Town was able to hold onto its premier licence and that it was only through the hard work and the dedication of the management committee and the volunteers and ground staff, that it could be achieved.
Athlone Town take on Shelbourne in a pre-season friendly on Saturday February 25 at 3pm.
