It’s been a momentous journey: from an advertisement in the local paper over 100 years ago, to playing Italian football aristocrats in European competition; it’s all in the history of Athlone Town AFC. The first record of football in Athlone is an advertisement in the Westmeath Independent 121 years ago by one Orlando Coote Esq that he was organising a club to play under association rules.
In only a few years the club got established and was competing with Dublin clubs. The Town took home the Leinster Junior Cup in both 1894 and the following year. In 1913 our representatives were admitted to the Leinster Senior League Division 2. They promptly won the League and were beaten finalists in the Edmund Cup, a top-four knockout competition; no mean feat for a side based outside Dublin. Upon the political changes post-1922, the Town was invited into the draw for the inaugural Free State Cup competition. But they once again took the Leinster Junior Cup in 1922.
Then in the second season of the new League of Ireland, the Town were invited to join, making up a new twelve-team league. Athlone was the only club from outside Dublin and one other team entering the league for the first time was one Shamrock Rovers. The Town acquitted themselves well in their first few seasons. Then came one the club’s greatest triumphs. The Free State Cup was won in 1924. They beat Cork’s Fordsons in the final, the Town did not concede a goal in any round. But alas, any momentum built up in 1924 failed to keep the Town in senior ranks and the club pulled out in
1928.
In 2008, we marked our 40th season in senior ranks, just the time-span we spent in junior level after 1928. But even back then in junior ranks, the men in blue were sucessful, gaining two FAI Junior Cups in 1935 and again in 1938. The Leinster Junior Cup was won in 1932, they only lost the 1935 final after a replay. Records state they actually won the 1937 final of this competition but lost it on a technicality. They won it again in 1962.
A few years on in 1964, the Town were invited to join the inaugural League of Ireland 1st division.
Then came the bridging of a long gap, the Town regained senior status in 1969. We brought home the Leinster Senior Cup in our first season in the top rank. In 1975 we clinched second place in the League; Europe beckoned.
After a great first round win in the UEFA Cup, the Town played its most famous game ever. We were drawn against AC Milan. The Italian giants, complete with one Mr Giovanni Trapattoni on the coaching staff, came to St Mels Park for the first leg. The home side were far from disgraced holding the Italian giants to a no-score draw and even could afford to miss a penalty.
Athlone’s golden era in senior ranks began when local man Turlough O’Connor became manger in 1979. Two league championships (1981 and 1983), three League Cups, a Tyler All-Ireland Cup, a President’s Cup and not least, two European Cup games all came to Athlone before Turley as he became known, left in 1985. The club was relegated soon after. However we gained promotion and won the First Division in our Centenary year, 1988.
Since the mid-1990s we have languished in Division One with only a close shot at promotion in the 2001 season to show for our efforts.
In 2007 moved away from the spiritual home of Athlone Town soccer St Mels Park to a new state of the art complex across the railway line in Lissywollen. With the past behind us we entered a new beginning.
The 2007 season in Athlone Town Stadium started well but results did not continue after that and Athlone Town released yet another manager mid way through the season. The replacement was Dermot Lennon who had held a position on the coaching staff along with Tommy Hewitt who became assistant manager. Another season in the doldrums ensued.
With only minor improvements during the 2008 season applications were invited for the managers position yet again and the choice this time was former Town player Brendan Place. Coming into a club that had almost gone under prior to his appointment but was saved by the people of the midlands and its many loyal supporters countywide. It was a minor miracle that enabled him to assemble a fit and competitive squad come March of that season. His style and professionalism on and off the pitch is admired by all. The football was great to watch with true attacking play from young local players drafted into the team to mingle with some older more experienced heads like captain Des Hope.
Leading into the 2010 season with Brendan still at the helm thinks are looking brighter than they have for seasons.
Twitter
Youtube
Facebook