Worrying times for Athlone Town and Waterford United

It emerged late yesterday afternoon that last night’s SSE Airtricity First Division clash between Waterford United and Athlone Town was not going to go ahead due to the Midlanders' inability to field a team. 
 
All has not been well in the Athlone camp of late with Alan Mathews going on Shannonside radio to tell people that players were still waiting on wages, some as little as €20 a week. Earlier in the season a clash against Shelbourne had to be postponed owing to the generator for the floodlights not working as the electricity had been cut off during the week over unpaid bills, while a small crowd of just 57 people turned up for the home FAI Cup game against Letterkenny Rovers as a small protest ensued outside the stadium in Lissywollen.
 
Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin was not best pleased with the situation and voiced his displeasure in a statement released by the FAI as news broke of Athlone's inability to field a team for their trip to the RSC.
 
"We take this matter extremely seriously and will be charging Athlone for failing to fulfil the fixture and for bringing the game into disrepute," said Gavin. "This is totally unacceptable. To be notified on the afternoon of an SSE Airtricity League fixture that a club cannot field a team is simply not good enough. We will be meeting with Athlone Town over the weekend to discuss this serious matter."
 
In response to the cancellation of the tie yesterday the Athlone Town board released their own statement in which they have now set a deadline of Tuesday for any parties "in possession of plans for the club to go forward to submit them for consideration." Ominiously, the following sentence reads: "After that date such action as is necessary will be taken by the present Board."
 
The irony of the situation would not have been lost on Waterford United who are fighting for financial survival. Waterford's players hadn't received their weekly wages before they were beaten 4-0 by Cobh Ramblers last Sunday, while the Blues have also recently taken to crowdfunding on GoFundMe.com in an attempt to generate funds. Following Friday's postponement, the page was updated with a message which states:

"To date on the Waterford United GoFundMe you have helped raised €6,732. This money has been used to cover running expenses such as players' insurance, bus transport, referee fees etc...
 
"As you are aware Waterford United v Athlone Town was postponed last night leaving the club without a home gate for a number of weeks. If you have donated already, thank you. If you can share and spread the word around once again it would be great. This is a tough time when you don't have home games but still have bills [to pay] and all money donated is helping to keep the club alive."
 
Friday's game in the RSC had a reduced ticket price in order to entice more people through the gate. Now Waterford United will have to wait until July 8th for their home fixture against Limerick for their next chance to earn gate receipts.
 
 

    About Stephen Walsh

    Stephen Walsh is an extratime.ie reporter since August 2014 as one can see by looking at his LinkedIn page in the bottom right hand corner. Stephen mainly covers games for Cork City and Cobh Ramblers … View Full Profile