The 2019 SSE Airtricity League awards took place in the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim Co. Meath yesterday, with the Bit O’ Red represented at the ceremony by club employee Shane Crossan.

There were eight awards in total, with Sligo Rovers making an application for four categories. Applications for the awards were sent to the FAI by Shane Crossan in September.

It proved to be a worthwhile trip to the east for the Bit O’ Red, with the club receiving three awards in total which included “Best Family Initiative 2019” “Best Supporters Contribution 2019” and runners up in “Best Matchday Experience 2019”.

In regards to “Best family Initiative 2019” the FAI commented on the Breakfast Club associated with our kids camps, the memorabilia around the ground, activities with our younger supporters such as our Super Red open day and our birthday parties which take place at the club every week.

For “Supporters Contribution Award 2019” the FAI referenced the new seating which was installed this year in the main stand, the phenomenal money raised in the Annual Draw this year and our strong average home attendance of 2,000 supporters per game.

In the category for “Best Matchday experience” the Bit O’ Red received the runners up award with the FAI complimenting the club on its entertainment at home games such as local clubs playing at half time, acknowledging our sponsors on the pitch at half time, allowing supporters access to players on match nights and providing a safe and fun environment for supporters to enjoy.

Shane Crossan spoke at the ceremony on behalf of the club and thanked the FAI and SSE Airtricity for holding the event and thanked them for acknowledging the hard work Sligo Rovers do off the pitch.

He added ” To collected these awards on behalf of Sligo Rovers Football Club is something I am very proud of”.

“These awards are in recognition for all the hard work we do as a football club off the pitch”.

“The three awards today are for everyone associated with the club. From club employees, to committee members, volunteers, sponsors and supporters these are for you”.

The SSE Airtricity Club Awards have been running since 2017. In their maiden year, the club received runners up in “Supporters Contribution Award” while in 2018 we also received runners up in “Best Matchday Experience”.

The club were saddened to hear of the passing of Shirley Goulden, Ballinacarrow this week.

Shirley was a big Sligo Rovers supporter and we wish to extend sympathies to her family.

Shirley’s funeral mass takes place today, Wednesday at 1:30pm at Rathbarron Parish Church.

Ar Dheis De Go Raibh a anam.

Sligo Rovers season tickets are now on sale for 2020, with a new credit union scheme to make your season ticket more accessible.

As with every year, supporters are encouraged to buy before Christmas Day, as prices increase after this.

Click here to purchase season tickets
https://srfcdirect.com/season-tickets-2020/

Supporters have the chance to reserve their own seat for every league game in 2020, as well as all the cup games too. In previous seasons, Gold Season Tickets only reserved your seat for league games, however in 2020 we have added cup matches so you don’t have to worry about coming early to secure a seat, your name will be on it.

Gold Season Tickets:

A Sligo Rovers Gold Season Ticket allows the supporter to select their favourite seat in the ground and have it reserved for every game of the season. Whether you work late and can only make kick off, enjoy a pre-match tea or coffee in the clubhouse, or you simply want to wait until the last minute to avoid the cold, your seat is secured.

Gold season tickets will work out at around €3.50 extra per match.

Adult Season Tickets:

Adult season ticket prices for 2020 have been frozen, with no increase from last season at €220.

An adult Gold ticket costs €300, where you can reserve your seat for every game, as explained above.

Gold Season tickets are continuing to prove extremely popular with an increase in demand each season.

Student and Concession categories:

We are again offering discounted rates for second and third level students. Secondary school tickets are €100, around half the amount you would pay by paying on the gate each week, and Third Level Student tickets are €140, saving you around €40 for the season.

Bit O Red supporters who are unemployed can purchase a concession season ticket which will cost €150, with an up to date letter required from your local Intreo office to show your you are not working.

OAP/Senior Citizen Tickets:

These tickets are €140 for 2020, with the gold option just €210.

Family Season Tickets:

As with previous seasons, we are offering families a discounted rate for entry to The Showgrounds. For two adults and to children aged 12 or under, it will cost €500. This is a big saving for families of four, however we understand as a club the significant spend these families will have over the course of the season, so we feel this offer will be a great help to them.

Super Reds:

Our fantastic Super Red offer will again remain for 2020.

Season Ticket prices will be €60 for kids aged 12 and under, but this season they will get even more.

Kids will receive a Sligo Rovers training kit, including a crested T-Shirt, club shorts and socks, which will be worn Liam Buckley’s first team in 2020.

Kids will also be given a voucher for €10 off our new 2020 home kit, as well as entrance to our hugely popular Super Red open day where Super Red ticket holders will receive their training kits, meet the first team players and be put through their paces by manager Liam Buckley and his staff in an hour long coaching session. Kids will also receive a birthday card in the post in time for their big day in 2020, signed by their favourite player.

Credit Union Finance:

To make it easier for supporters to purchase their season tickets for 2020, we have teamed up with Sligo Credit Union who will offer supporters a short term loan, in order to purchase their ticket and enable them to pay for it over the course of the season, rather than in one lump sum before Christmas.

To purchase your ticket online, visit www.srfcdirect.com

To purchase your ticket, you may also visit one of the following outlets:

• The Showgrounds
• Barton Smith, Sligo
• Collery Menswear, Sligo
• Lavins Menswear, Ballymote
• John Lowe, Carrick On Shannon
• Greenan Electric, Boyle
• Gerry Kenny Sport, Ballina
• Colerys Shop, Ballina
• Gillespies, Tubbercurry
• Tansey’s Centra, Gurteen
• Tony Quinn, Cliffoney

The Sligo Rovers Christmas Shop will again open at Barton Smith in Sligo Town this Saturday.

There will be brand new training gear on sale as well as season tickets and more for 2020.

Items will also be on sale on srfcdirect.com. Details will be announced shortly and orders must be made as soon as possible to be in time for Christmas.

We have teamed up with CrossFit Sligo who have come on board as our Strength & Conditioning partner for the 2020 season.

As part of the partnership, our first team squad will use the facilities in Finnisklin Business Park and work with club strength and conditioning coach Tom French as well as the staff at CrossFit, who will be on hand to help with each session.

Rovers’ Strength and conditioning coach Tom French explains the benefits of the partnership.

“It’s fantastic to have a large space available to us with some top of the range equipment for the lads to use to help them build strength and help them improve their overall fitness, which ultimately makes them better players.

“We all know how far the game has come and it’s not just about on field work and preparations. This side of training is vitally important for a professional team and ultimately, we hope it improves performances and helps us get to where we want to be.

“The boys will still avail of the great facilities at Clayton Hotel for recovery sessions as well as some individual gym sessions, and it’s great to have a large space at CrossFit to help us train all the lads together as a team.”

Edel Fitzpatrick from CrossFit Sligo explains a little bit more about the partnership and the gym:

“CrossFit Sligo is proud to be the new training facility for Sligo Rovers. We have been working with the first team squad for a number of months now and we look forward to hosting them again in 2020 as they train throughout the season.

“Our gym offers experienced coaches who deliver quality programming for both the competitive athletes and those seeking a healthy lifestyle.  We pride ourselves on having state of the art equipment and are always looking at ways to improve to maintain a high level of training.

“Our main goal at CrossFit Sligo is to promote long term health and fitness in a fun and social environment.”

The first-team squad will attend CrossFit when pre-season training commences in early January and continue throughout the season in 2020.

Visit the CrossFit website here: www.crossfitsligo.ie

The Sligo Rovers Christmas Draw is now underway with some extra special prizes this year.

The winner of the draw will receive €500.

Second prize: Tickets to Westlife’s concert in Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Clik here to buy tickets: https://srfcdirect.com/christmas-draw-ticket/

Third prize: Two night’s B&B in the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny

Fourth prize: Sligo Rovers season ticket for 2020

Fifth prize: Two tickets for Republic of Ireland Nations League game in the Aviva Stadium

Sixth prize: Christmas Hamper

Seventh prize: Dinner for two in the Clayton Hotel, Sligo

Eighth prize: Sligo Rovers 2020 jersey

Tickets available here or from committee members or the club office

As a community club, we are delighted to be visiting schools in the region as part of our 2019 schools programme.

Children are treated to an indoor presentation which covers player profiles, club history, major honours and the first team’s training regime.

This is then followed up by an outdoor coaching session in week two, all of which is being provided by the club free of charge.

Manager Liam Buckley has stated how important it is for children to be involved with the club through our various initiatives such as camps, birthday parties and Super Red membership.

‘We’re trying to build something here. That doesn’t mean we’re focusing on the short term, we have some longer term goals too, which includes getting as many children supporting their local club as possible. It’s fantastic coming into work here at The Showgrounds and seeing Summer Camps or Birthday parties taking place, and seeing smiles on kid’s faces. They will always remember their first impressions as youngsters around the club, and if we put on a good show for them on and off the pitch, they’ll be here to support the club for years to come’

Thank you to the schools we have visited so far and we look forward to working with more schools in the coming weeks.

We remind parents and children to register to become a Sligo Rovers Super Red in 2020 and receive entry to every game, a full club training kit, a personalised birthday card and discounts on our new 2020 playing kit.

To purchase yours online, visit www.srfcdirect.com

Sligo Rovers wish to note the contribution of Dante Leverock, Kris Twardek and Sam Warde to the club following the conclusion of the season.

The Bit O’ Red can confirm that the trio will not be re-joining for 2020.

We wish them well in their future career and thank them for all of their efforts.

Rovers have 13 players signed for 2020.

Sligo Rovers squad 2020

Goalkeepers:

Ed McGinty

Luke McNicholas (2021)

Defenders:

John Mahon

Danny Kane

Lewis Banks

Johnny Dunleavy

Regan Donelon

Kyle Callan-McFadden

Midfielders:

David Cawley

Niall Morahan (2021)

Strikers:

Romeo Parkes

Ronan Coughlan

Ronan Murray

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Sligo Credit Union which will allow Bit O’ Red supporters to avail of a loan offer from the Union to help them buy their 2020 season tickets.

With the launch of the 2020 season tickets today, we also now launch details this new initiative which will help supporters secure their tickets for the year ahead and ease the strain on their pocket at the Christmas period.

Season ticket prices remain the same, with existing Credit Union members simply filling the loan application form, along with their season ticket form and handing it in to the local office, located on Stephen Street in Sligo.

Supporters without a Credit Union account can also avail of the offer. Pop into the Credit Union and set up an appointment to join, and the friendly staff will take you step by step.

Supporters must still fill out a standard season ticket application form from the club as well as the loan application form from the Credit Union.

It is a quick and easy process and one we hope will help our loyal fanbase.

‘We’ve come up with this idea to try and help people out before Christmas. We can all find it difficult to part with a couple of hundred quid around Christmas, whether your buying presents for kids or partners or whatever, so this will help those supporters who want to buy their ticket at the Pre-Christmas prices. Those buying a ticket for a loved one can also avail of this new offer, so it might be a perfect Christmas present for the Rovers supporters in your family.’

Sligo Rovers’ Chief Executive Officer Colin Feehily

Loan application forms can be got at The Showgrounds and all the usual season ticket outlets across the region. Our new Christmas club shop will again open at Barton Smith, Sligo in early December, where forms can be collected.

 The offer starts today and continues right up to the season opener in mid-February. Supporters are reminded that prices increase after Christmas so are advised to buy their tickets between now and close of business Christmas Eve.

Gold seats are also available with this offer, where you may choose your seat before the season starts and have it reserved for every league and cup game.

There is also an option if buying different types of season ticket where you may choose the ‘other amount’ column. This will allow parents to buy more than one Super Red ticket for example/

To set up an appointment to become a member in the Sligo Credit Union and avail of this offer, simply visit the Union on Stephen Street in Sligo or call 071-9117500

Today we launch our new 2020 season ticket prices, which really starts the process for Bit O Red supporters in looking forward to a brand new Premier Division campaign.

As with every year, supporters are encouraged to buy before Christmas Day, as prices increase after this.

Supporters have the chance to reserve their own seat for every league game in 2020, as well as all the cup games too. In previous seasons, Gold Season Tickets only reserved your seat for league games, however in 2020 we have added cup matches so you don’t have to worry about coming early to secure a seat, your name will be on it.

Gold Season Tickets:

A Sligo Rovers Gold Season Ticket allows the supporter to select their favourite seat in the ground and have it reserved for every game of the season. Whether you work late and can only make kick off, enjoy a pre-match tea or coffee in the clubhouse, or you simply want to wait until the last minute to avoid the cold, your seat is secured.

Gold season tickets will work out at around €3.50 extra per match.

Adult Season Tickets:

Adult season ticket prices for 2020 have been frozen, with no increase from last season at €220.

An adult Gold ticket costs €300, where you can reserve your seat for every game, as explained above.

Gold Season tickets are continuing to prove extremely popular with an increase in demand each season.

Student and Concession categories:

We are again offering discounted rates for second and third level students. Secondary school tickets are €100, around half the amount you would pay by paying on the gate each week, and Third Level Student tickets are €140, saving you around €40 for the season.

Bit O Red supporters who are unemployed can purchase a concession season ticket which will cost €150, with an up to date letter required from your local Intreo office to show your you are not working.

OAP/Senior Citizen Tickets:

These tickets are €140 for 2020, with the gold option just €210.

Family Season Tickets:

As with previous seasons, we are offering families a discounted rate for entry to The Showgrounds. For two adults and to children aged 12 or under, it will cost €500. This is a big saving for families of four, however we understand as a club the significant spend these families will have over the course of the season, so we feel this offer will be a great help to them.

Super Reds:

Our fantastic Super Red offer will again remain for 2020.

Season Ticket prices will be €60 for kids aged 12 and under, but this season they will get even more.

Kids will receive a Sligo Rovers training kit, including a crested T-Shirt, club shorts and socks, which will be worn Liam Buckley’s first team in 2020. Kids will also be given a voucher for €10 off our new 2020 home kit, as well as entrance to our hugely popular Super Red open day where Super Red ticket holders will receive their training kits, meet the first team players and be put through their paces by manager Liam Buckley and his staff in an hour long coaching session. Kids will also receive a birthday card in the post in time for their big day in 2020, signed by their favourite player.

Credit Union Finance:

To make it easier for supporters to purchase their season tickets for 2020, we have teamed up with Sligo Credit Union who will offer supporters a short term loan, in order to purchase their ticket and enable them to pay for it over the course of the season, rather than in one lump sum before Christmas.

To purchase your ticket online, visit www.srfcdirect.com

To purchase your ticket, you may also visit one of the following outlets:

• The Showgrounds
• Barton Smith, Sligo
• Collery Menswear, Sligo
• Lavins Menswear, Ballymote
• John Lowe, Carrick On Shannon
• Greenan Electric, Boyle
• Gerry Kenny Sport, Ballina
• Colerys Shop, Ballina
• Gillespies, Tubbercurry
• Tansey’s Centra, Gurteen
• Tony Quinn, Cliffoney