The Men Who Saved Football

As the season reaches its conclusion Ep 177 reviews Dundalk's clashes with Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda Utd, casting an eye over what players might form the foundation of next year's first division campaign, and what manager might lead us next season. We also discuss the launch meeting of the Dundalk FC Supporters Trust, the nascent 1903 membership scheme and the dilemma faced by both fans groups as they strive for greater fan involvement within a model of ownership where the proposition of greater fan involvement has been thus far coolly received.    

Dundalk's drift to relegation reaches its conclusion as defeat to Derry City confirms the surrender of the Lilywhites Premier Division status. While fans stay after the final whistle to support the devastated squad the chaos off field intensifies as a post match confrontation between current and former owners becomes national news. Ep 176 also discusses the emergence of two rival fan membership schemes what their objectives are in a week where owner John Temple dismissed the notion of fan involvement in boardroom decisions.

Eoin Kenny's late late goal earns the Lilywhites a point in the west to keep Dundalk FC's premier division status alive. Ep 175 discusses the slim but existent chances of survival, the generally poor standard of the league this year and the contradictory statements from the club and local media on whether players have been paid?

Despite a valiant effort Dundalk's inability to score in periods when they have the upper hand sees Bohemians take all 3 points at Oriel and all but confirm relegation. But even life in the first division would be welcome for a fanbase who remain in suspense as to whether the club will survive the financial debacle of another disastrous ownership. Ep 174 ask what is the plan for survival? What steps should be taken now to address the clubs financial woes, and will fans get a seat at the boardroom table to protect the club from run amok owners?

In a week that saw Dundalk FC come close to extinction prior to the life support takeover of the club by John Temple, episode 173 discusses the need for more voices in the boardroom, asks if the new owner will be open to fan representation on the board, discusses the move to a fan based model, the narrow defeat against Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds and the growing shadow of relegation.

Defeat in Waterford and the looming spectre of relegation suddenly seems minor affairs as Dundalk FC's financial difficulties swiftly degenerate into a full blown existential crisis as rumours circulate or imminent bankruptcy and the possible winding up of the club. Is the end of Dundalk FC hours away or can the club endure this crisis as it has in the past? Episode 172 discusses

Ep 171 recaps the last months performances which saw a battling performance earn a point in the Brandywell, but Dundalk failing to build on that with two home defeats against Shelbourne and St Patrick's Athletic as defensive frailties surface again and crucial chances go unconverted. We also discuss off field affairs with rumors of another takeover amidst media reports of unpaid wages as the team heads into the final 7 matches in a battle for survival.

Boos ring out at the final whistle as a toothless Dundalk slump to a 2 - 0 home defeat to John Caulfield's Galway Utd. Basic errors at the back and an inability to create or convert chances are evident again. With Drogheda's draw with Bohemians further eroding Dundalk lead of their neighbours, fans face an anxious few week to see if the Lilywhites slump in form can be arrested.

Dundalk earn a valuable point on the road against struggling Bohemians. However with Drogheda winning against Waterford cutting the 5 point relegation cushion to 3 between the Louth clubs Ep 169 anxiously asks, with its tendency to concede goals much more easily that it scores them, does Dundalk's current squad looks like one that could go down?

In stark contrast to last weeks vital league victory, Dundalk slump to a first round cup exit against neighbours Drogheda Utd. Old flaws surfaces again as a lacklustre display sees the Lilywhites fail to create many goal scoring chances while gifting the Drogs a brace due to defensive errors. Focus now shifts to maintaining and perhaps extending the league lead over Drogheda and ensuring it is them, and not Dundalk who face the drop to division 1.