Dundalk FC: Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, 18 October 2001 matchday programme — eircom National League Premier Division at Oriel Park; the editorial that confronted racist chanting

Official Dundalk Football Club match day programme, eircom National League Premier Division 2001-2002. Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park, Thursday 18 October 2001, kick-off 7.45pm. Price £1.50. Match sponsor The Irish Times; club sponsor Harp; kit by O'Neills.

The club page is headed in both languages — 'Dundalk Football Club / Cumann Peil Dún Dealgan' — and the honours now include First Division Champions 2001: Dundalk had just come back up. Manager MARTIN MURRAY, with TOMMY McCONVILLE, the club's great defender, as physio.

What makes the issue worth keeping is Kieran Lawless's editorial. It opens lightly, quoting a hurling championship advert — 'no-one said it was going to be easy' — on a newly promoted side in the play-off place with twenty-one games left. Then it turns: 'For the vast majority of Dundalk supporters, however, events on the pitch in recent weeks have been overshadowed by the idiotic behaviour of a small group of individuals at our recent games against Longford and St Pats. The sort of thuggish behaviour and racist chanting we saw and heard a few weeks ago has no place at any Dundalk game, home or away… We have no intention of allowing the club we support to have its reputation tarnished by the behaviour of individuals who clearly don't have the best interests of Dundalk FC at heart.'

He sets out the club's answer — supporters identifying trouble-makers to the stewards or the Gardaí — and insists it be dealt with quickly. A club taking a public stand in print, in 2001.

Author: Dundalk Football Club

Publisher: Dundalk Football Club

Publication Date: 2001

Binding: Single Issue Magazine

Condition: Used - Very Good