Athlone Town Issue Funding Ultimatum
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Athlone Town has issued a further plea to supporters to sign up to its patron scheme as the club battles to secure a playing licence for the 2009 season.
The club outlined plans for the scheme back in December in a bid to clear debts of over €320,000. With the 2009 campaign due to get underway in less than eight weeks, club spokesman John Croughan says 400 people are required to sign up to the scheme if the Athlone’s future is to be secured.
In a statement released tonight, the club said:
The key to the success of this strategic plan is that supporters and friends of the club sign up for the patrons scheme, and while the club is heartened by the general reaction to the scheme, Athlone Town AFC is now issuing an urgent and final appeal to the public to become patrons of the scheme before this weekend in order for the club to submit an application for a playing licence for the season 2009. A failure to secure a playing licence would automatically result in Athlone Town leaving the League of Ireland.
Club spokesman John Croughan said: "We are now making an urgent final appeal to everyone who has an interest in keeping Athlone Town playing senior football to subscribe before this weekend as if the patrons scheme is not successful by this weekend the club will not be in a position to receive a licence for the 2009 season.
"There still remains a very real and possible danger that the club could go out of existence if the necessary 400 patrons required to provide a viable financial platform for the coming years do not come forward," he continued.
The club had previously indicated that there was up to 200 offers of support and is now also requesting those who have indicated their interest in the scheme to formally submit their patron’s scheme forms.
Forms can be downloaded from the club website (www.athlonetownfc.ie) and completed forms can be posted direct to Athlone Town Stadium, Lissywollen, Athlone or dropped into Croughan's Centra on Castlemaine Street, the Palace Bar or Gateway, Magazine Road, or to any committee member.
"This week really is crunch time for the club and we are once again asking the people of the Midlands to show their support," Mr Croughan concluded.
The benefits of the patron’s scheme are also available on the club website. For any further information, or to assist in any way please contact: Mr. John Croughan 087 2544911; Mr. Chris Enright 087 9918956
