Rovers fans hopeful of favourable FAI decision
Amid fears that the FAI could expel Rovers from the league, Dave Carpenter, club spokesman and a representative on the Management Committee of the supporters’ group, the 400 Club, said that any sanctions would be a setback to the on-going examinership process.
“I think they would be very detrimental to future prospects for the club,” he said, “and I would sincerely hope that the FAI would not seek to punish the club for any actions which may have been taken by individuals in the past and which would not be representative of the wider fan base. We, as fans, want to move the club forward. We’re supporting the club financially to do that. And I would be hopeful that the FAI would look on it in that light.”
It’s understood that the 400 Club will claim they drew the attention of the FAI Club Licensing Committee to their concerns about club accounts, which were filed as part of Rovers’ application and were a year out of date.
This may explain why Carpenter said that it was “for the FAI themselves to review their licensing process.”
Seven different investors have expressed interest in Rovers but Carpenter said he had not heard from anyone that one of the seven was former FAI Chief Executive Fran Rooney.
Other reports have named Umbro Ireland boss John Courtenay and former Rovers star Liam Buckley as potential investors. But Carpenter did confirm that the 400 Club would consider the possibility of forming their own consortium to secure the long-term future of Rovers.
Their more immediate concern is to keep the club afloat in the short-term and, to that end, the 400 Club is currently covering the players’ salaries.
Reflecting on the season so far, manager Roddy Collins admitted that it’s been difficult for everyone.
“But you’ve got to get on with it, he said. “It’s been difficult for Rovers for 18 years and it would be cheap for me to come in and say how hard life is now. But the financial support of the 400 Club has been great. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
For the game against Cork, the 400 Club begins the inauguration of ‘Half Time Heroes’, whereby a former Rovers great will make a guest appearance. First up is legendary striker and Irish international Mick Leech.
“I’ve been a Rovers for 30 years - anything I can do to help, I’m willing to do,” said Leech yesterday.
For further details of plans for Friday night, and other 400 Club initiatives, see www.shamrockrovers.ie/400club.
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