Wexford F.C.
Wexford Youths FC crest | |||
Full name | Wexford Youths Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | Youths | ||
Founded | 2007 | ||
Ground | Ferrycarraig Park | ||
Capacity | 2500 (600 temp seats) | ||
Chairman | Joseph Wallace | ||
Manager | Mick Wallace | ||
League | FAI First Division | ||
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Wexford Youths Football Club are an Irish football club from Wexford who compete in the First Division of the FAI League of Ireland. The club joined the league after being awarded an FAI First Division licence for the 2007 season.[1] The opportunity to join the Eircom League arose as Dublin City F.C. went bust before then end of the 2006 season, leaving an uneven number of clubs.[2] The 2007 season coincided with the takeover of the running of the league by the FAI and all existing clubs had to apply for entry into what was effectively a new league.[3] Limerick FC was the only existing club refused a licence and so Wexford Youths and Limerick 37 F.C. were admitted to the new league.[4]
History
Wexford Youths were founded by construction magnate Mick Wallace, who has funded the construction of a state-of-the-art complex for the new team's home. Wallace manages the senior side as well as the under 21s, under 18s and under 16s. He is assisted in coaching the first team and under 21s by former Limerick FC manager Noel O'Connor. Pat Dolan, acts as an advisor to Mick Wallace and is filling the role while remaining on as Setanta Sports' anchorman for their live TV coverage of Irish domestic soccer.[5]
Wexford Youths FC applied for a first division league licence in December 2006[6] The club was officially granted an Eircom League first division licence on the 6th of February 2007.[7]
The club has stated an intention to be a unique institution in Irish football and has only taken on players from the Wexford area.[8]
Wexford Youths' first game was away at Monaghan United, on the 9th of March 2007, and ended in a 2-2 draw. The club's first scorer was Conor Sinnott.[9] The first home match was on the 18th March 2007, a 1-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers.[10] Tom Elmes was the goal scorer. Wexford Youths first ever League Cup fixture saw them play Waterford United at the RSC, Waterford. This game was the first competitive derby game for Wexford Youths against one of their local rivals, and saw Wexford beaten 3-0.[11] The club's FAI Cup début arrived on the 15th of June 2007 with a trip to Jackman Park to face fellow league newcomers Limerick 37. The game produced a 1-1 draw and sent the tie to a replay,[12] with Limerick 37 winning the replay 1-0.[13] Wexford Youths finished the season in ninth place in the league, finishing five points clear of bottom club Kilkenny City AFC.[14]
Colours and Badge
The club wears a black and white home stripe in honour of Juventus.
The badge features the club motto 'Play the beautiful game' and the words 'Life's short, work hard, play hard', a motto used by Wallace Construction for many years, having previously been placed on the kits of Cork City while Wallace sponsored that club. The two stars above the crest represent the two under 18 FAI inter league titles won by Wexford teams managed by Wallace.
In March 2008, it was announced that the club's new a way jersey would be pink.
Stadium
The building works for the new stadium and facilities, at Newcastle, Crossabeg, have been ongoing since 2003. Currently spectator facilities consist of a clubhouse with viewing area. The plans for a permanent stand to seat over 2,000 people are in place. Building work is in progress on a fully equipped gym on the site.
Work on a 609 seater temporary stand started in March 2008 for the start of the new season. An application for retention of developments at the Wexford Youths Football Complex was rejected by Wexford Planners in October 2007. This decision threatens the future development of the club and has slowed work on the complex cosiderably. The decision is in the appeals process at present.[15]
Access to the stadium is not clearly signposted from the N11. The signs along the roadside are small and easily missed. The roads leading to the entrance to the ground are narrow and winding and caution is required. There is no direct access from the N11.
Records
- Most appearances - Conor Sinnott, 37[16]
- Most goals in a season - Conor Sinnott, 8[17]
- Biggest victory - 3-0 vs. Kilkenny City AFC (h) - August 25 2007[18]
- Biggest defeat - 0-5 vs. Limerick 37 (a) - October 5 2007.[19]
- Attendance - 2,100 vs. Cobh Ramblers.[20]
2008 Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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External links
- Wexford Youths FC Wexford Youths FC Official Website
- Foot.ie Wexford Youths discussion forum
- Eleven-A-Side Wexford Youths FC news
- Eircom LOI Eircom League of Ireland Official Website
- Supporters Club Wexford Youths Supporters Club
References
- ^ "Wexford Youths to play in First Division", RTÉ.ie (06 February, 2007).
- ^ "Dublin City goes bust with €1.5m debt", thepost.ie (12 October, 2007).
- ^ "FAI assumes control of eircom League", RTÉ.ie (12 October, 2007).
- ^ "Limerick 37 granted league licence", RTÉ.ie (12 October, 2007).
- ^ "All systems go for Wexford FC", Wexford Echo (15 February, 2007).
- ^ "Wallace confident of being in Eircom league next season", New Ross Standard (12 October, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths to play in First Division", RTÉ.ie (06 February, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths to play in First Division", RTÉ.ie (06 February, 2007).
- ^ "Mons Miserable Draw With Wexford", monaghanunited.ie (13 April, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths Record First League Win", rte.ie (13 April, 2007).
- ^ "Waterford United 3-0 Wexford Youths", rte.ie (13 April, 2007).
- ^ "Limerick 37 1-1 Wexford Youths", rte.ie (19 June, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths 0-1 Limerick 37", rte.ie (04 July, 2007).
- ^ "Eircom League First Division 2007 League Table", walkthechalk.com (12 November, 2007).
- ^ "Planning Permission Decision", wexfordyouthsfc.ie (12 November, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths Squad Stats", walkthechalk.com (12 November, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths Squad Stats", walkthechalk.com (12 November, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths FC Results 2007", wexfordyouthsfc.ie (12 November, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths FC Results 2007", wexfordyouthsfc.ie (12 November, 2007).
- ^ "Wexford Youths Record First League Win", rte.ie (12 November, 2007).