Longford Town Football Club(Irish:Cumann Peile Bhaile Longfort) is an Irish professionalfootballclub playing in theLeague of Ireland First Division.The club, founded in 1924[1]and elected to the league in 1984,[1]is based inLongford,County Longford. They play their home matches atStrokestown Road,which for sponsorship reasons is also known as Bishopsgate. Club colours are red and black, and it goes by the nicknameDe Town.
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| Full name | Longford Town Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Town or De Town | ||
| Founded | 1924 | ||
| Ground | Strokestown Road | ||
| Capacity | 5,097 (4,977 seated) | ||
| Chairman | Jim Hanley | ||
| Manager | Wayne Groves | ||
| League | League of Ireland First Division | ||
| 2024 | League of Ireland First Division,9th of 10 | ||
| Website | http:// ltfc.ie | ||
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History
editLongford Town Football Club was founded in 1924 at a meeting held in the Temperance Hall. At the meeting, it was decided that the club colours were to be those of the famous Dublin club,Bohemians,‘Red and Black’. Present at the meeting were Michael (Ikey) Farrell, Paddy Farrell, Michael Hanley, Tom Malone, Johnny Foley, Willie Jarrett, Tom Kelly, Tom Colbert and Jim Mulligan.[1]
The Town had £24 in the kitty to start off and their first big success was winning the Leinster Junior Cup in the 1930–31 season when they beat St. Malachy's of Dundalk at Longford Park. After the game, the Foresters Brass and Reed Band and Longford Pipe and Drum Band led the victory parade through the streets of the town. The Longford team included Tom O’Beirne, Packy Shine, Mel Deane, Jimmy Malynn, John Dennigan, Jimmy and Billy Clarke, Freddy Dykes and Jimmy Breslin. In the 1935–36 season, the Town were promoted to Division 1 of theLeinster Senior League.The following season saw the Town clinch theFAI Intermediate Cupwhich was a considerable achievement coming so soon after promotion from the Junior ranks. Further Intermediate Cup successes, as well as Metropolitan Cup wins, followed in the 1950s and 1960s.[1]
Longford Town reached the final of the Leinster Senior Cup in 1954, when they lost 2–1 toShamrock Rovers,on St. Stephen's Day. The Hoops, then at their peak, got the winning goal with less than three minutes to go. Longford's team on the day was: Peter Keogh, Seamus Devlin, Sonny Canning, Billy Murphy, Paddy Kinsella, Johnny Peelo, Paschal Quinn, Andy Reville, Paddy Gilbert, Gerry Malone and Joe O’Brien.[1]
Many Longfordians players received International or inter-league honours over the years. Mel Deane was the first, when he was capped against Scotland in a Junior International. Then followed Junior International honours versus England for Jimmy and Paddy Clarke, as well as Youth International caps for Ignatius Branigan (against Holland) and Teffia Park's Mark Devlin.[1]
The club was 60 years in existence before its election to theLeague of Irelandin 1984. In their first season in the league they finished last in the Premier Division and were one of the four sides to be relegated to the newly created First Division for the following season.[1]In their second season they finished bottom of the First Division with only 7 points. Town finished in the bottom six of the ten-team First Division in each of the next eleven seasons.[1]
The appointment of the then 26-year-old rookie managerStephen Kennyin the summer of 1998 proved the catalyst for a major upturn in the club's fortunes on the pitch. In the 1998/99 season, they missed out a place in the promotion/relegation play-off by just four points. The following season saw further improvement when the Town finished in second place and, as a result, won promotion to the Premier Division. This was secured on the final day of the season, 22 April 2000, with a 2–0 victory away toCobh Ramblers.The starting XI was: Stephen O'Brien, Enda Kenny,Wes Byrne(captain), Paul McNally, Stephen Kelly, Paul Perth,Vinny Perth,Stephen Gavin, Shay Zellor, Keith O'Connor andRichie Parsons.Early goals from O'Connor (the 1999/2000 First Division top scorer) and Byrne proved the difference.
Longford performed admirably in their first season back in the Premier Division finishing in mid-table. That season also saw the club reach theFAI CupFinal for the first time, where they lost 1–0 toBohemians.As Bohs had also won the League title that season, De Town qualified to play in theUEFA Cupin July 2001. A meeting over two games withBulgarianclub sidePFC Litex Lovechended in a 3–1 aggregate victory for the Bulgarians.[1]
Things were less comfortable in the league during the 2001/02 season after that, as they ended up in the relegation/promotion play-off, where they playedFinn Harpsin a two-legged affair. Longford won in apenalty shootoutafter the tie ended 3–3 on aggregate. After the 2002/03 season, the club became an established top division side, led by managerAlan Mathews,with four successive top-six finishes.
On 26 October 2003, the Town clinched their first title in senior football when winning theFAI Cupfollowing a 2–0 victory overSt. Patrick's AthleticatLansdowne Road.The starting XI was: Stephen O'Brien, Alan Murphy,Barry Ferguson(captain),Brian McGovern,Seán Dillon,Alan Kirby,Vinny Perth,Philip Keogh, Sean Prunty, Shane Barrett andSean Francis.Barrett and Francis found the net and victory more than made up for the disappointment of having lost theLeague Cupfinal, against the same opposition, two months previously.
2004 would prove to be the most successful year in the club's history. The Town produced a cup double by first winning theLeague Cupwith a 2–1 victory overBohemians,in a final held in Longford, with the crucial second goal scored by local player Seán Prunty. The FAI Cup was retained following a dramatic 2–1 win overWaterford UnitedatLansdowne Roadon 24 October 2004. Trailing with five minutes to go, late goals byWaterford-bornAlan Kirbyand subPaul Keegansent the 6,000 Longford fans present into a frenzy. The starting XI was: Stephen O'Brien (captain), Alan Murphy,Graham Gartland,Seán Dillon,Sean Prunty, Dean Fitzgerald,John Martin,Alan Kirby,Shane Barrett,Dessie BakerandEric Lavine.[1]
The FAI Cup successes saw the club enter theUEFA Cupin both 2004 and 2005. On both occasions, however, they lost in the first qualifying round on aggregate.[1]
The 2007 season was a disappointing one for the midlands club as, along with losing theFAI CupFinal toCork City,the team were relegated after finishing bottom of the Premier Division. That does not tell the whole story however, as De Town were deducted six league points during the season for failing to comply with club licensing procedures.[2]These six points proved crucial in the end as, without this deduction, they would have finished safe from relegation and the relegation play-off.[1]
This cost the club dearly, as there followed six frustrating years in theFirst Division,before being promoted as Champions at the end of the2014 season.The title was clinched, under the management ofTony Cousins,following a resounding 5–0 victory at home toShamrock Rovers Bon 3 October 2014.[3]This league title triumph was the club's first-ever in senior football with the trophy presented to club captainMark Salmon.The goals of David O'Sullivan andGary Shaw,along with the contribution of the experienced quartet ofPat Sullivan,Pat Flynn,Stephen RiceandKevin O'Connor,were pivotal in the season's success.[1]
In their first season back in the Premier Division,de Townfinished off the 2015 season in a creditable 6th position. The 2016 league season was very disappointing with Longford finishing bottom and relegated back to theFirst Division.[1]
The2020 League of Ireland First Divisionseason was suspended after a few weeks due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.De Town had played, and won, their two opening league matches before the suspension in March. It wasn't until 31 July, after a break of almost five months, that matches resumed. Finishing the league season in fourth place saw the side enter the promotion play-off series. Victories overUCDandGalway Unitedset up a final appearance againstShelbourneon 15 November 2020. A Rob Manley goal earned a 1–0 win for the Town to secure promotion back to thePremier Divisionfor 2021. The2021 seasonwould prove a difficult one with the side bottom of the table for most of the year and relegated with six matches remaining. Despite plenty of spirited performances and no lack of effort, a 25-game winless streak from March to September consigned them to an immediate return to the First Division.
In 2024, the club celebrated its 100th year in existence. To mark the milestone, a Longford Town legends game againstManchester Unitedlegends took place on 15 June 2024 finishing 3-3.
European record
editLast update: July 2005[4]
Overview
edit| Competition | P | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Cup | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
| TOTAL | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
Matches
edit| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | UEFA Cup | 1QR |  Litex Lovech
|
1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
| 2004–05 | UEFA Cup | 1QR |  Vaduz
|
2–3 | 0–1 | 2–4 |
| 2005–06 | UEFA Cup | 1QR |  Carmarthen Town
|
2–0 | 1–5 | 3–5 |
Current squad
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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|
Technical staff
edit| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager | Wayne Groves |
| Coach | Garrett Dodrill |
| Coach | Robbie Rock |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Gabriel Sava |
| Physiotherapist | Cian Lennon |
| Kit Man | Ian Maher |
| S&C Coach | Daniel Monks |
2024 Results
editSSE Airtricity League First Division
| Home | Home | Opposition | Away | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | 1-1 | Athlone Town | 3-3 | 1-4 |
| 0-3 | 1-0 | Bray Wanderers | 1-1 | 1-0 |
| 0-0 | 2-0 | Cobh Ramblers | 1-1 | 0-1 |
| 0-2 | 1-4 | Cork City | 0-2 | 2-3 |
| 2-3 | 1-1 | Finn Harps | 2-3 | 0-1 |
| 2-1 | 2-2 | Kerry | 0-3 | 1-2 |
| 2-1 | 1-4 | Treaty United | 0-1 | 1-3 |
| 1-2 | 1-2 | UCD | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| 1-2 | 3-0 | Wexford | 2-2 | 2-2 |
Sports Direct FAI Cup
| Round | Date | Opposition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second | 19/7 | Galway United | Eamonn Deacy Park | 0-6 |
PTSB Leinster Senior Cup
| Date | Opposition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22/1 | Shamrock Rovers | Away | 0-2 |
| 30/1 | Athlone Town | Away | 1-0 |
| 5/2 | Maynooth University Town | Away | 0-1 |
Longford Town score first in all cases
2024 Goalscorers
edit| Player | FD | FC | LSC | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Adeyemo | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Dean O'Shea | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Fran Campbell | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Danny Norris | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Adam Wixted | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Emmanuel James | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Chris Lyons | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Luke Wade-Slater | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Karl Chambers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Oisín Hand | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ross Fay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jordan Tallon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Bastien Héry | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mohammed Boudiaf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Emre Topçu | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Shane Elworthy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Conor Crowley | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Own Goal | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 41 | 0 | 1 | 42 |
FD = First Division, FC = FAI Cup, LSC = Leinster Senior Cup
Honours
edit- FAI Cup:2
- 2003, 2004
- League of Ireland Cup:1
- 2004
- League of Ireland First Division:1
- FAI Intermediate Cup:5
- 1936–37, 1954–55, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1968–69
- Connacht Junior Cup1
- 1931–32
- Enda McGuill Cup:1
- 2002–03
Records
edit- League victory: 7–1 vAthlone Town,19 August 2017 and 6–0 vShamrock Rovers B,30 May 2014[1]
- League defeat: 1–8 vWaterford United,12 November 1989[1]
- Points in a season: 70, 1999–2000 (36 games)[1]
- League goals in a season (player): 24, David O'Sullivan, 2013[1](Note 1)
- League goals: 69, David O'Sullivan, 2013–2017[1](Note 1)
- League appearances: 250, Stephen O'Brien, 1998–2005[1]
- Notes
- ^1Including 2 goals in play-offs
Former Managers (League of Ireland era)
edit
Charlie Walker (1984–1985)- Billy Bagster (1985–1987)
- Pat 'Zac' Hackett (1987–1990)
- Ron Langford (1990)
- Pat 'Zac' Hackett (1990–1991)
- Con Flanagan (1991–1992)
- Dermot Keely(1992–1993)
- Liam Brien (1994)
- John Cleary (1994–1996)
- Michael O'Connor(1996–1998)
- Stephen Kenny(1998–2001)
- Martin Lawlor (2001–2002)
- Alan Mathews(2002–2007)
- Aaron Callaghan(2007–2008)
Alan Gough(2008–2009)- Gareth Cronin (2009)
- Tony Cousins(2009–2016)
- Alan Mathews(2016–2017)
- Neale Fenn(2017–2019)
- Daire Doyle(2019–2021)
- Gary Cronin (2021–2022)
- Stephen Henderson(2022–2024)
Supporters Player of the Year
edit| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Dean O'Shea
|
| 2021 | Aaron O'Driscoll
|
| 2020 | Aodh Dervin
|
| 2019 | Lee Steacy
|
| 2018 | Dylan McGlade
|
| 2017 | Daniel O'Reilly
|
| 2015 | Kevin O'Connor
|
| 2014 | Gary Shaw
|
| 2013 | David O'Sullivan
|
| 2012 |  Keith Gillespie
|
| 2011 | Mark Salmon
|
| 2010 | Michael Lee
|
| 2009 | Tom King
|
| 2007 | Dave Mooney
|
References
edit- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrst"Longford Town Club Information".airtricityleague.ie.9 February 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 22 September 2012.Retrieved7 September2012.
- ^Longford deducted six points for licensing indiscretionArchived4 August 2016 at theWayback Machine,eleven-a-side,2007. Retrieved 5 January 2008
- ^"Longford Town claim First Division crown and promotion".Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 8 October 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2023.Retrieved11 August2016.
- ^"Longford –".UEFA.Retrieved7 November2016.
External links
edit