The Men Who Saved Football
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The Men Who Saved Football is a Dundalk FC Fancast. Mostly just a few lads chatting about Dundalk FC and the wider world of League of Ireland football.
177 Episodes
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As the season reaches its conclusion Ep 177 reviews Dundalk's clashes with Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda Utd, casting an eye over what players might form the foundation of next year's first division campaign, and what manager might lead us next season. We also discuss the launch meeting of the Dundalk FC Supporters Trust, the nascent 1903 membership scheme and the dilemma faced by both fans groups as they strive for greater fan involvement within a model of ownership where the proposition of greater fan involvement has been thus far coolly received.
Dundalk's drift to relegation reaches its conclusion as defeat to Derry City confirms the surrender of the Lilywhites Premier Division status. While fans stay after the final whistle to support the devastated squad the chaos off field intensifies as a post match confrontation between current and former owners becomes national news. Ep 176 also discusses the emergence of two rival fan membership schemes what their objectives are in a week where owner John Temple dismissed the notion of fan involvement in boardroom decisions.
Eoin Kenny's late late goal earns the Lilywhites a point in the west to keep Dundalk FC's premier division status alive. Ep 175 discusses the slim but existent chances of survival, the generally poor standard of the league this year and the contradictory statements from the club and local media on whether players have been paid?
Despite a valiant effort Dundalk's inability to score in periods when they have the upper hand sees Bohemians take all 3 points at Oriel and all but confirm relegation. But even life in the first division would be welcome for a fanbase who remain in suspense as to whether the club will survive the financial debacle of another disastrous ownership. Ep 174 ask what is the plan for survival? What steps should be taken now to address the clubs financial woes, and will fans get a seat at the boardroom table to protect the club from run amok owners?
In a week that saw Dundalk FC come close to extinction prior to the life support takeover of the club by John Temple, episode 173 discusses the need for more voices in the boardroom, asks if the new owner will be open to fan representation on the board, discusses the move to a fan based model, the narrow defeat against Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds and the growing shadow of relegation.
Defeat in Waterford and the looming spectre of relegation suddenly seems minor affairs as Dundalk FC's financial difficulties swiftly degenerate into a full blown existential crisis as rumours circulate or imminent bankruptcy and the possible winding up of the club. Is the end of Dundalk FC hours away or can the club endure this crisis as it has in the past? Episode 172 discusses
Ep 171 recaps the last months performances which saw a battling performance earn a point in the Brandywell, but Dundalk failing to build on that with two home defeats against Shelbourne and St Patrick's Athletic as defensive frailties surface again and crucial chances go unconverted. We also discuss off field affairs with rumors of another takeover amidst media reports of unpaid wages as the team heads into the final 7 matches in a battle for survival.
Boos ring out at the final whistle as a toothless Dundalk slump to a 2 - 0 home defeat to John Caulfield's Galway Utd. Basic errors at the back and an inability to create or convert chances are evident again. With Drogheda's draw with Bohemians further eroding Dundalk lead of their neighbours, fans face an anxious few week to see if the Lilywhites slump in form can be arrested.
Dundalk earn a valuable point on the road against struggling Bohemians. However with Drogheda winning against Waterford cutting the 5 point relegation cushion to 3 between the Louth clubs Ep 169 anxiously asks, with its tendency to concede goals much more easily that it scores them, does Dundalk's current squad looks like one that could go down?
In stark contrast to last weeks vital league victory, Dundalk slump to a first round cup exit against neighbours Drogheda Utd. Old flaws surfaces again as a lacklustre display sees the Lilywhites fail to create many goal scoring chances while gifting the Drogs a brace due to defensive errors. Focus now shifts to maintaining and perhaps extending the league lead over Drogheda and ensuring it is them, and not Dundalk who face the drop to division 1.
Jon Daly's transfer window moves come up trumps as Dundalk FC's new look team puts 4 past Drogheda Utd to earn a crucial victory in a relegation 6 pointer. With new recruit Jad Hakiki at the heart of a more incisive Dundalk attack the Lilywhites look capable of maintain their 5 point cushion over the basement club thereby banishing the spectre of automatic relegation for now. As the dust settles on a crucial league win Dundalk now face an immediate return to Drogheda for a FAI Cup clash
Dundalk's failure to convert chances surfaces again as Shamrock Rovers emerge victorious by the only goal in a evenly matched encounter. As Jon Daly oversees a frenetic transfer window Dundalk face into Friday's crucial relegation Derby with a much changed squad as the battle for the playoff slot intensifies. Episode 166 discusses the impact of the departures of proven defenders and the underperformance of our attack as the Lilywhites seek to avoid relegation in a season with many self inflicted blows.
Ep 165 catches up on Dundalk's clashes with Shelbourne, Sligo Rovers and Waterford which yielded 2 defeats and 1 victory. Dundalk remain 3 point ahead of bottom side Drogheda Utd and with other teams pulling away the two Louth clubs look set to battle it out in the basement for the remainder of the season, with Jon Daly needing to find replacements for the departing Zak Bradshaw and Zak Johnston ahead of the visit of Drogheda to Oriel park.
Dundalk enjoy a great bank holiday week with a hard fought draw against Derry City and a stunning victory in Richmond Park. New manager Jon Daly impact begins to show on the pitch as Jamie Gullen, unlucky not to score against Derry, ends his goal drought with a stunning brace against Pats with Ryan O'Kane also on the score sheet. 4 point from 6 sees Dundalk move off the foot of the table as they head to Tolka Park for a clash with table toppers Shelbourne
After the high of last week's victory over Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk come back to earth with a bump as Galway once again proves to be a difficult away day. Despite a bright opening, defensive frailties tip the game in Galway's favour as the bad habits of the later O'Donnell era manifest again to see Dundalk go 90 minutes without registering a shot on goal. New Boss Jon Daly has his work cut out as Dundalk remain rooted to the bottom of the table
A rollercoaster week sees Brian Gartland leave the club to be followed by recently appointed manager Noel King. The end of King's short lived reign opens an opportunity for the return of Golden Era boss Stephen Kenny, hopes which are swiftly dashed by his arrival at St Patrick's Athletic. Managerless Dundalk conclude a crazy week with a injury time winner over Shamrock Rovers.
The crisis deepens at Oriel park as Dundalk begin the week with a record 10 match ban for Goalkeeper George Shelvey for comments made to the referee after the Louth Derby and concludes with a timid performance in the south east which sees Waterford put 4 past the Lilywhites once again porous defence. The weekend concludes with an open letter from fans calling for Noel King's dismissal followed promptly by the departure of Brian Gartland. Episode 161 discusses.
A spirited Dundalk match league leaders Shelbourne but ultimately fail to turn possession into goals leaving the Oriel clash with the league leaders as a 0-0 stalemate. A promising start to the weekend ends deflatingly with a very damaging defeat to 10 man Drogheda United. Jethren Barr's 76 minute dismissal followed by Jamie Gullen's set piece equaliser had the Lilywhites in the driving seat only for Drogheda to steal the points from an injury time free kick leaving Dundalk rooted to the bottoms of the table.
New boss Noel King enjoys a dream debut as a rejuvenated Dundalk play with an energy and dynamism conspicuous only by its absence on previous outings this season. The formerly shot shy Lilywhites pepper the Bohemians goal with attempts on target and score two high quality goal. A Zak Johnston inspired defence keeps Bohs at bay while George Shelvey's penalty save makes it a great personal revival for the keeper after a difficult start to his Dundalk career. The Lilywhites now face a crucial weekend with games against Shelbourne and relegation rivals Drogheda Utd.
A seismic week at Oriel Park as veteran Noel King is announced as the shock replacement for Stephen O'Donnell as Dundalk's new manager. Meanwhile the Lilywhites take 1 point from 6 on the road with defeat to Bohs and a 1-1 draw to Sligo Rovers as chances and goals remain at a premium. EP 158 looks for the positives in King's appointment, discusses the understandable negative reaction of fans and give an honest assessment of the veteran coach's probability of success.
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