Finn Harps Thread

Mr_A · 11-01-2010 8:10pm #1

Thought this forum should have one

With the strategic review completed and in place, some very promising young players on the books and the new stadium on the way there should be good times ahead for Harps.

But with plenty of debt on the books and a now debt-free Derry City in the same division and with money to spend many challenges remain.

What sayest thou men (and women)?

Carrickman · 11-01-2010 9:00pm

Here Here;)

irlpic · 11-01-2010 9:10pm

Good shout A. Looking forward to the new season. UTH.

Join the group folks ! Heading for one million -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=244304709451&ref=mf

Mr_A · 11-01-2010 11:11pm

Yeah, 400 members in less than 48 hours, not bad going at all!

Harps · 11-01-2010 11:32pm

Used to be a huge fan as you can guess from the username but Ive become disallusioned with things over the past couple of years, initally with the pathetic way the club was run but now things are finally looking up Im still finding it hard to get back into it with the FAI seemingly getting worse every year. Derry being allowed back into the league with a clean slate would be laughable if it didnt effect us and theres plenty more examples.

Still going to follow the club and hope they do well obviously but unless theres some serious change with the FAI I dont see how the club (or any club for that matter) can ever achieve anything more than winning the league and going bust a couple of seasons later

muffler · 12-01-2010 2:20am

Lets make this thread (and Boards.ie) THE place to be for all Harps fans

UpDonegal · 12-01-2010 2:49pm

C'mon the Harps!

Looking forward to the new season in March

:):D

Mr_A · 12-01-2010 3:46pm

The first division could be the place to be this season if a few teams get horsed out of the premier (and this looks quite likely).

Throw in the random inclusion of the 'new' Derry City and it could be the real LOI this year, as opposed to a Dublin and District league.

Broxi_Bear_Eire · 12-01-2010 7:10pm

Hope they do well I try to get up as often as I can

Mint Sauce · 12-01-2010 8:23pm

Mr_A wrote: »

Thought this forum should have one

With the strategic review completed and in place, some very promising young players on the books and the new stadium on the way there should be good times ahead for Harps.

But with plenty of debt on the books and a now debt-free Derry City in the same division and with money to spend many challenges remain.

What sayest thou men (and women)?

already thought there was a thread or two on this

how is the stadium going, has there been any further progress, last i heard work stopped due to lack of funds

muffler · 12-01-2010 8:47pm

The stadium never started despite all the publicity, press releases, etc. Al that has happened is the contractor has deposited filling he removed from another job and spread it over a bit of a field that will form part of the roadway into the stadium.

Thats it!

Mint Sauce · 12-01-2010 8:53pm

muffler wrote: »

The stadium never started despite all the publicity, press releases, etc. Al that has happened is the contractor has deposited filling he removed from another job and spread it over a bit of a field that will form part of the roadway into the stadium.

Thats it!

so nothing really since the offical sod turning then

:rolleyes:

am glad to see some NW football though with derry back in action

Local-womanizer · 12-01-2010 8:59pm

Up the Candystripes!!!

Mint Sauce · 12-01-2010 9:04pm

Local-womanizer wrote: »

Up the Candystripes!!!

up the bit o red

sorry harps

Duster · 13-01-2010 1:02am

Rumor has it that McHugh is on his way back to Harps

Mr_A · 13-01-2010 3:08pm

Duster wrote: »

Rumor has it that McHugh is on his way back to Harps

Linfield official site seems to indicate this could be on the cards: http://www.linfieldfc.com/latestnews.asp?nid=5035

Mr_A · 13-01-2010 3:11pm

On the stadium front, it's not true to say there has been no progress. There have been various legal and procedural hurdles cleared with regards to getting the government funding in place. It certainly has been frustratingly slow, but the delays haven't come from the Harps end.

Funding from the club side has never really come into it to my knowledge anyway.

muffler · 13-01-2010 3:20pm

Mr_A wrote: »

On the stadium front, it's not true to say there has been no progress. There have been various legal and procedural hurdles cleared with regards to getting the government funding in place. It certainly has been frustratingly slow, but the delays haven't come from the Harps end.

Funding from the club side has never really come into it to my knowledge anyway.

Sorry, but I cant agree. The sod cutting ceremony was 18 - 20 months ago and attended by both government and FAI officials and from the speeches made on the day it was an "all systems go" message. Most of the legal stuff had already been covered prior to this.

It seems the club are unwilling to discuss this matter though. I have asked several people who are closely attached to or involved with the club about the stadium development and I get replies ranging from "everything is in hand" to "I dont really know"

Mr_A · 13-01-2010 4:19pm

muffler wrote: »

Sorry, but I cant agree. The sod cutting ceremony was 18 - 20 months ago and attended by both government and FAI officials and from the speeches made on the day it was an "all systems go" message. Most of the legal stuff had already been covered prior to this.

It seems the club are unwilling to discuss this matter though. I have asked several people who are closely attached to or involved with the club about the stadium development and I get replies ranging from "everything is in hand" to "I dont really know"

There certainly have been extra legal issues to deal with regarding the Department of Sport. Much of this seems to me to have been simply the department attempting to hold back or stall the release of funds. These have been sorted though. The ground development committee made a report at one of the general meetings late last year (the EGM I think) and the message was that things should start to really move in the first part of this year.

I don't blame anyone for being sceptical at this stage given the glacial rate of progress to date and the fact that there's certain people who've spread lies about the project for their own reasons pretty much from day one. Of course it's also possible that something has come up since I last spoke to anyone involved in the GDC that I'm unaware of.

docmartin · 13-01-2010 10:44pm

Duster wrote: »

Rumor has it that McHugh is on his way back to Harps

really????????

muffler · 13-01-2010 11:19pm

Official club statement regarding new stadium from July 2008

EAFC_rdfl · 14-01-2010 10:30am

any other new signings? any one from the USL getting a chance?

Mr_A · 14-01-2010 3:15pm

The signings of Jason Noctor, Thomas Bonner and Johnny Lafferty now brings to ten the number of players who have already signed up ahead of the 2010 season.

Full details will be on the club website later.

Mr_A · 29-01-2010 1:05am

Harps launch "Revive and Thrive" Campaign, including a cool photo competition on Facebook.

http://www.finnharps.com/News/100128REVIVALLaunched.htm

muffler · 29-01-2010 1:23am

Mr_A wrote: »

Harps launch "Revive and Thrive" Campaign, including a cool photo competition on Facebook.

http://www.finnharps.com/News/100128REVIVALLaunched.htm

A great initiative and I sincerely hope it's a success.

Sadly the news on their debt isnt very encouraging according to the Democrat

irlpic · 04-02-2010 5:01pm

muffler wrote: »

Sadly the news on their debt isnt very encouraging [/URL]

Harp's debt may soon be a thing of the past when their new sponsor is announced shortly .....

ootbitb · 06-02-2010 3:55pm

hi MrA, I am a sth at Finn Park for a few seasons now but was banned from the forum for disagreeing with a mod. Seems the ban is a lifelong one as I cannot post there for three years. Nice way to treat sths.

Technique · 07-02-2010 1:49pm

Novel idea. Got them a load of publicity and probably sold lots of food, programmes, merchandise etc.

Attendance doubles as Mansfield fans pay what they want
By Catherine Etoe

Mansfield Town's decision to allow fans to pay what they liked to watch their team saw the home attendance more than double on Saturday.

Kick-off against Gateshead was delayed by 10 minutes as more than 7,000 supporters took up the club's offer.

The bumper crowd failed to inspire the Stags as they lost 2-0, but spokesman Mark Stevenson told BBC Sport the club was delighted with the fans' support.

"The scenes in the first-half brought back memories of the 1980s," he said.

"The players appreciated the huge crowd. Unfortunately they had an off-day but they would love to play in front of that many people every week.

"We hope that people, despite the result, had an enjoyable day and will return - we are becoming a hub of the community again."

Extra police and a full quota of staff were brought in on the day to marshal the crowd at the Field Mill ground, which has a capacity for 9,400 supporters.

With fans paying as little as three pence and as much as £50 on the day - usual ticket prices are £16 - Mr Stevenson said he expected gate receipts to be up.

Believed to be the first of its kind in English football, the club will evaluate the day before they decide whether to run the scheme again.

The brave decision of the club to allow supporters to decide their own entry fee into Field Mill on Saturday has to be applauded

Stevenson added: "We are just delighted to know for certain that there are more people out there."

The Blue Square Premier side is currently owned by fans Andrew Perry, Andrew Saunders and Steve Middleton.

The trio clubbed together to buy out owner Keith Haslam in 2008 and decided to allow fans to pay what they liked to boost the crowd and thank the people of Mansfield.

The resulting crowd of 7,261 was 4,000 more than usually come through the turnstiles at Field Mill.

It also beat the 2007 high of 6,500 for the visit of Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, although demand was even higher with some fans turned away as the ground filled up.

"We had to use the away stand to seat home supporters which has never been heard of in recent times," said Stevenson.

"There was no trouble and both sets of supporters appreciated the fact that everywhere was choc-a-block."

muffler · 07-02-2010 2:07pm

Mr_A wrote: »

Harps launch "Revive and Thrive" Campaign, including a cool photo competition on Facebook.

http://www.finnharps.com/News/100128REVIVALLaunched.htm

Just for the record Mr_A can I ask you if you are affiliated to the club?

ootbitb wrote: »

hi MrA, I am a sth at Finn Park for a few seasons now but was banned from the forum for disagreeing with a mod. Seems the ban is a lifelong one as I cannot post there for three years. Nice way to treat sths.

This comment has nothing to do with this thread and is more or less off topic.

ootbitb · 07-02-2010 2:16pm

Sorry Muffler seems I have a knack for upsetting mods.

I thought a thread titled "Finn Harps Thread" would cover everything Finn Harps related.

muffler · 07-02-2010 2:50pm

ootbitb wrote: »

Sorry Muffler seems I have a knack for upsetting mods.

I thought a thread titled "Finn Harps Thread" would cover everything Finn Harps related.

No you're not annoying me at all. We are talking about Finn Harps and not how you managed to get yourself banned from their site or whatever. You need to take that matter up with the people in the club as it is irrelevant here and contributes nothing at all to this discussion.

Can we leave it at that please.

Mr_A · 07-02-2010 9:48pm

muffler- yeah, I help out any way I can from Galway and am involved in the club website, programme, last year the strategic review and other bits and pieces also.

ootbitb- no idea who you are but if you have an issue with the moderation on the forum feel free to contact the mods in person or online and make your case. I do know that I have very rarely banned anybody and certainly never for simply disagreeing with a mod.

The current forum is most likely on the way out anyway due to the constant spamming attacks.

Mr_A · 11-02-2010 4:24pm

Kevin McHugh is back at Harps and Anthony Gorman is back as assistant manager.

Getting McHugh back is a massive, massive boost!

2010 kit launch tomorrow at the Balor at 3.30, both of the lads will be there. All welcome.

ootbitb · 11-02-2010 6:49pm

good news about McHugh .Any chance Parky might come back to provide?

Mr_A · 12-02-2010 3:50pm

Sadly, Parky has gone to the dark side. We can only hope that like Kevin he will see the light and save his footballing soul.

ootbitb · 12-02-2010 6:55pm

Amen.

banthebrick · 13-02-2010 9:40am

can't believe its so long since kev left. here's hoping he keeps up where he left off and de harps have a resurgence and the people of the north west rekindle their affections towards their club

Carrickman · 17-02-2010 1:20pm

Yet again we are away to Derry twice:mad:
FINN HARPS FC FIXTURES 2010

Saturday 6th March Longford Town (a)
Friday 12th March Salthill Devon (h)
Friday 19th March Monaghan United (a)
Monday 22nd March League Cup Prem. Round
Friday 26th March Limerick (h)
Friday 2nd April Shelbourne (a)
Friday 9th April Wexford Youths (h)
Monday 12th April League Cup 1st Round
Friday 16th April Athlone Town (h)
Friday 23rd April Waterford United (a)
Friday 30th April Bray Wanderers (h)
Tuesday 4th May Derry City (a)
Friday 7th May Mervue United (h)
Monday 10th May League Cup 2nd Round
Friday 14th May Longford Town (h)
Friday 21st May Salthill Devon (a)
Saturday 29th May Monaghan United (h)
Tuesday 1st June League Cup Q.F.
Sunday 6th June FAI Cup 3rd Round
Tuesday 8th June Limerick (a)
Friday 25th June Shelbourne (h)
Sunday 4th July Wexford Youths (a)
Saturday 10th July Athlone Town (a)
Friday 16th July Waterford United (h)
Sunday 25th July Bray Wanderers (a)
Friday 30th July Derry City (h)
Monday 2nd August League Cup S.F.
Saturday 7th August Mervue United (a)
Saturday 14th August Longford Town (a)
Friday 20th August Salthill Devon (h)
Sunday 30th August FAI Cup 4th Round
Friday 3rd September Monaghan United (a)
Friday 10th September Limerick (h)
Friday 17th September Shelbourne (a)
Sunday 19th September FAI Cup Q.F.
Friday 24th September Wexford Youths (h)
Saturday 25th September League Cup Final
Friday 1st October Athlone Town (h)
Friday 8th October Waterford United (a)
Friday 15th October Bray Wanderers (h)
Sunday 17th October FAI Cup S.F.
Friday 22nd October Derry City (a)
Saturday 30th October Mervue United (h)

EAFC_rdfl · 17-02-2010 1:34pm

thanks for the fixtures? confirmed i take it. pity only down in galway twice and athlone once

ootbitb · 17-02-2010 4:52pm

well that's one less season ticket. Fridays don't suit students away at college.

pauric_g · 18-02-2010 11:26am

Are the new jerseys on sale yet? Where are they being sold and is it possible to buy long sleeved jerseys?
Thanks

Mr_A · 18-02-2010 3:07pm

Yes, the new shirts are on sale. You can get them at the Balor or in the ground at tonight's friendly against Sligo Rovers.

An online shop is under development and should be launched soon as well.

pauric_g · 18-02-2010 3:53pm

That's great. It's a while since my last Harps jersey, nearly time for a new one!

sesswhat · 18-02-2010 5:44pm

pauric_g wrote: »

It's a while since my last Harps jersey, nearly time for a new one!

It's nice that the players are posting here:D

muffler · 18-02-2010 6:10pm

sesswhat wrote: »

It's nice that the players are posting here:D

:eek:

muffler · 21-02-2010 2:03am

Interesting to see that they have now sought an extension of the original planning permission for the new stadium. Whats even more interesting is to read the description of the works done to date as outlined in the contractor's letter.

Hard to believe that its been almost 5 years since the original permission was granted.

Mr_A · 25-02-2010 4:41pm

That's really depressing.. this really has been a long, horrible slog for the GDC.

Good news regarding the team though: Minnock is back: http://www.finnharps.com/News/100224Minno.htm

Much stronger looking squad than last season.. it's going to be one of the toughest first division campaigns yet though.

fullstop · 25-02-2010 5:08pm

muffler wrote: »

Interesting to see that they have now sought an extension of the original planning permission for the new stadium. Whats even more interesting is to read the description of the works done to date as outlined in the contractor's letter.

Hard to believe that its been almost 5 years since the original permission was granted.

Is it ever going to happen? You'd have to wonder at this stage. Where can the contractor's letter be seen?

muffler · 25-02-2010 6:12pm

fullstop wrote: »

Where can the contractor's letter be seen?

Click on the link I posted and then click on the "view related documents" tab.

Goodluck2me · 25-02-2010 10:17pm

Does noone think building a new stadium is just a ridiculous waste of money for a club that was lucky to stay afloat recently enough?

I think its fairly ridiculous, it's not like the club needs the extra space to fill it for games?

docmartin · 25-02-2010 11:10pm

Goodluck2me wrote: »

Does noone think building a new stadium is just a ridiculous waste of money for a club that was lucky to stay afloat recently enough?

I think its fairly ridiculous, it's not like the club needs the extra space to fill it for games?

very good point

Finn Harps Thread

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