Sporting named 'Match Day Management Team of the Year'

Sporting Fingal today recorded their first silverware in League of Ireland football when they were named as the 2008 Match Day Management Team of the Year. The club rounded-off their debut season in the League of Ireland by scooping the inaugural award, which pays tribute to behind-the-scenes work involved in staging League of Ireland fixtures.

The award was decided based on FAI Match Delegates reports throughout the season and took into account issues such as stewarding, stadium environment and application towards match day management training. extratime.ie can confirm that a matchday experience at Morton Stadium was far warmer, and supplied with far nicer tea, than any other venues last year. A special note also to the lovely jubbly burgers on sale, as nice as they are needed.

Announcing Sporting Fingal as the winners of the 2008 Match Day Management Team of the Year, League of Ireland Director Fran Gavin said:

“This award is recognition of all the work that goes in behind the scenes to ensure that match day runs smoothly, comfortably and safely for everybody inside the stadium. Just as we should reward excellence on the pitch, we must also pay tribute to excellence off it.

“As we continue our efforts to increase the number of football fans who attend League of Ireland fixtures, it is crucial that we continue to ensure that our stadiums offer safe and family friendly environments for supporters to enjoy our games. The event which we can offer supporters encompasses more than simply a game of football – fans who attend our games must do so in the knowledge that there is a large team working behind the scenes to ensure that their experience of the League of Ireland is a positive one.”

Accepting the award on behalf of Sporting Fingal, club Secretary John O’Brien said:

“Sporting Fingal is thrilled to receive this award. In our first season in the League of Ireland it was most important to try to get things right, particularly off the pitch. It is most heartening, therefore, to get this acknowledgement. As a community club, we rely enormously on voluntary effort and this accolade is thanks to the tremendous commitment of all of our Event Management team.”

extratime.ie look forward to competitive experiences throughout all the grounds in the coming season.....