Long-time Athlone Town supporter, Joe Cassidy, is embarking on an interesting fundraiser for the Midlanders ahead of the SSE Airtricity League First Division season.
Cassidy is seeking to collect one euro from each house in Athlone to assist the club. “We need a strong Athlone Town so it is great that we now have people like Philip Nolan in as commercial and marketing manager,” Cassidy explains. “He has been a brilliant help, he has great ideas and supporters think that he can help to move the club forward.
“Money is badly needed for all League of Ireland clubs. I think something similar to my idea was done in England before, but we are working hard to make sure it will be a success for the club." There has been a positive response from fellow Athlone enthusiasts too according to Cassidy: “It is all over social media at the moment, my son has been a great help to me," he says.
"The plan at the moment is to start on February 17 out at Forest Mills and to work my way in to town then. I'll do it on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I'll start at five and finish at nine o'clock. One part of the challenge is to see if I can do it, but I have no timescale set. We need to raise funds for the new structure of the club, €1 per house is what we will be asking for. If people want to give more that would be great, but I'm looking forward to it.”
Having returned to training on Monday evening, Athlone will embark on a pre-season campaign packed with friendlies. At Crumlin Astro Pitch on Friday, February 5, Athlone face St Patrick's Athletic. Lissywoollen hosts a Saturday, February 13, clash with Finn Harps, while Athlone visit City Calling Stadium a week later for a match with Longford Town.
On Wednesday, February 24, Sligo Rovers visit the Midlands, while Athlone's last game before the competitive action commences is against Bohemians at Dalymount Park. That encounter with the Gypsies is scheduled for an afternoon kick-off on Saturday, February 27.
