Rovers receive over €35,000 in donations to ease concerns
SLIGO Rovers have confirmed they required donations and contributions in excess of €35,000 when the club battled through the remarkable period of two months without a home league game.
The Bit O’ Red finally return to The Showgrounds this Saturday against Bohemians, with the 0-0 draw with Bray Wanderers on 15 August the last time the club received league gate receipts.
A club statement said Rovers “acknowledges and is very appreciative of the financial assistance being received at present to help address current financial challenges.”
It added: “Supporters and friends are showing again what Sligo Rovers means as the battle to retain Premier Division status continues against the backdrop of the unique calendar situation that made cash flow a major issue.
“To date donations and contributions amounting to in excess of €35,000 have been given to the club by benefactors and committee members.
“The club is also very grateful to supporter groups including the Dublin supporters and the Bit O’ Red Trust for organising various fundraising initiatives.”
A race night in Dublin was held last Thursday raising €5,000 which manager Gerard Lyttle attended along with several committee members and dozen of Rovers fans in the capital.
The Trust are running a KUBE event in November in the Clayton Hotel in Sligo.
The Rovers committee also said strengthening the squad in the transfer window was crucial to giving Rovers a fighting chance of staying in the top flight.
“The funding is vital having
regard to the financial demands on the club at present.
“These include in particular provision for strengthening of the squad which took place during the transfer window.
“Furthermore while the development of the underage structure is a very positive development for the future with three teams being run, it has placed significant extra financial demands and when a period of two months without gate receipts emerges, it presents challenges.”
“The club wants to thank all those who have contributed so generously todate.
“Further donations and contributions will be gratefully received to enable Rovers deal with current demands and strengthen for the future.”
The Supporters Trust met last week and have suggested in a post on their Facebook page that season ticket holders waive their tickets and purchase at the gate this week against Bohs.
It read: “As we know it will be over seven weeks since our last home league game when we face Bohs next Saturday, so there was been no gate income to the club in that tine.
“At the last Trust meeting it was agreed that we needed to do something in the short term to try and help.
“So what we are suggesting is with only two games left could season ticket holders pay in at the gate.
“It’s up to each individual to decide. It’s just our suggestion to try and help the club out. Come on the Bit O’ Red.”
The final home game of the season is against Derry City in two weeks’ time.