2011 Preview: Drogheda United
Credit:
Drogheda United
Year founded: 1975
Major honours: 1 League title (2007), 4 First Division titles (1988/89, 90/91, 98/99, 01/02), 1 FAI Cup (2005), 1 League Cup (1983/84)
Stadium: Hunky Dorys Park.
Manager: Bobby Browne.
Captain: TBA
Transfers in: Gareth Whelan (Shelbourne), Brian Gannon (Sporting Fingal), Dinny Corcoran (Shelbourne/Sporting Fingal), Stephen Quigley (Shelbourne), Mark O'Brien (Shelbourne), David Freeman (Longford), Sean Skelly.
Transfers out: Conor Sinnott (Waterford United), Paul Crowley (St. Patrick's Athletic), Eoghan Osborne (Dundalk), Yael Haro (UCD), Paul Skinner (Shelbourne), Brendan McGill (Shelbourne).
Last season was certainly one to forget for Drogheda United as they finished bottom of the Premier Division table six points adrift of Bray Wanderers in the above play-off stop. The manager merry-go-round was in full swing throughout the season with numerous managers coming and going. Bobby Browne stepped in towards the end of the season but was unable to steer his side clear of the relegation places. No wins in their final 15 games sealed Drogheda’s place at the bottom of the pile.
Despite relegation, Drogs have gone from almost having no team, to maybe having an amateur team in the First Division, to now taking a place back in the Premier Division. Money raised from a share issue scheme has seen the club able to take its place in the top division again and manager Bobby Browne has now been able to sign the back-bone of his new squad.
With a more competitive than ever Premier Division, Drogheda may already be in for a relegation battle with Browne having had little time to put a quality Premier Division side together, although he is expected to complete more signings before the new season starts.
ExtraTime Prediction:10th.
Year founded: 1975
Major honours: 1 League title (2007), 4 First Division titles (1988/89, 90/91, 98/99, 01/02), 1 FAI Cup (2005), 1 League Cup (1983/84)
Stadium: Hunky Dorys Park.
Manager: Bobby Browne.
Captain: TBA
Transfers in: Gareth Whelan (Shelbourne), Brian Gannon (Sporting Fingal), Dinny Corcoran (Shelbourne/Sporting Fingal), Stephen Quigley (Shelbourne), Mark O'Brien (Shelbourne), David Freeman (Longford), Sean Skelly.
Transfers out: Conor Sinnott (Waterford United), Paul Crowley (St. Patrick's Athletic), Eoghan Osborne (Dundalk), Yael Haro (UCD), Paul Skinner (Shelbourne), Brendan McGill (Shelbourne).
Last season was certainly one to forget for Drogheda United as they finished bottom of the Premier Division table six points adrift of Bray Wanderers in the above play-off stop. The manager merry-go-round was in full swing throughout the season with numerous managers coming and going. Bobby Browne stepped in towards the end of the season but was unable to steer his side clear of the relegation places. No wins in their final 15 games sealed Drogheda’s place at the bottom of the pile.
Despite relegation, Drogs have gone from almost having no team, to maybe having an amateur team in the First Division, to now taking a place back in the Premier Division. Money raised from a share issue scheme has seen the club able to take its place in the top division again and manager Bobby Browne has now been able to sign the back-bone of his new squad.
With a more competitive than ever Premier Division, Drogheda may already be in for a relegation battle with Browne having had little time to put a quality Premier Division side together, although he is expected to complete more signings before the new season starts.
ExtraTime Prediction:10th.
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile