The Club this week started interviewing the candidates for the vacant first team manager's position. A number of high quality and exciting applications have come in for consideration.

It is hoped that a decision and an announcement will be made in the very near future, to give the new manager plenty of time to settle in ahead of the promotion push in 2004.

Athlone Town's enigmatic winger Eric Molloy wants to stay at the club despite attracting the interest of First Division rivals Sligo Rovers. Molloy, who scored five times for the Town last season despite being ravaged by injury, is one of the most talented left wingers in the division and at times last season produced great displays.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Molloy said, "Like all our players from last season I'm out of contract. I would like to stay at Athlone because I've enjoyed my two years there. But I suppose it depends on the new manager and whether he wants me."

Molloy feels the club is on the verge of something special with the new stadium project very much in the pipeline. "When the club moves to the new stadium it will be special and it would be nice to be involved in it. It's hard to know what will happen though and only time will tell," said the Moate native.

The possibility of a 22 team eircom League Premier Division will go before representatives from all 22 League's clubs when they meet on January 17.

First Division Bray Wanderers have proposed the debate after growing belief that the current system of ten top flight teams and 12 First Division is not working.

Bray have proposed that the two divisions be merged for one season, starting next March, with the ultimate aim of a 16 team elite division with promotion and relegation between the two.

The Club are pleased to make it known that there has been a high level of interest in the vacant manager's position. Already, ten candidates have put their name forward, with more expected in the coming week. An interviewing panel will be finalised this week, with a view to conducting interviews in the early part of next week.

Please note that the 2004 eircom League season will commence on the weekend ending Sunday, March 21st and finish on the weekend ending Sunday November 21st. There are three scheduled midweek fixture dates in the Premier Division and none in the First Division. The League Cup will be held with the same format as the 2003 season, with the final taking place on Monday, August 30th.

Further details in relation to fixtures will be issued in early 2004.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday December 22nd 2003 are as follows:

22/12/03 - Potters Bar, Irishtown
Numbers drawn were 16, 17, 18 & 28

• Match 4 Winners [€3,000] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - James McEvoy Parnell Square & Tobey O'Brien c/o Carey's Bar, Mardyke Street.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

There will be no Lotto draw over the Christmas period. The next draw for a jackpot of €3,150 is scheduled to take place on Monday January 5th 2003.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 17th December 2003 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 31st December 2003 unless otherwise stated:

No Athlone Town players on the suspension list.

Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to all our supporters at home and abroad. Thanks for your support over last season, and we look forward to seeing you all in Saint Mel's again next season.

Thanks also to all our sponsors who contributed to the financial well being of the Club - and in particular to Main Sponsor Ganly's of Athlone, and Associate Sponsors Bus Eireann, TAM Security, McDonalds Athlone and Croughans Supervalu Athlone & Ballinasloe.

Click here for a full list of race sponsors, horse owners and winners from the Supporters Race Night which took place last Friday night, December 12th 2003 in Ward's Bar, Baylough.

Thanks again to eveyone who made the night such a success.

The Chairman and Committee of Athlone Town Football Club wish to announce that Jimmy Greene has stepped down as first team manager of Athlone Town.

Holder of a UEFA Level 3 Coaching Badge, Jimmy will take up the important new role of Youth Development Officer within the Club.

The Club wish to thank Jimmy for his loyal service and hard work over the past two seasons, and for galvanising the team over the last six months of the 2003 season.

The vacant manager's position will be advertised in the coming week. It is hoped to announce a new manager in the coming weeks.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday December 15th 2003 are as follows:

15/12/03 - Potters Bar, Irishtown
Numbers drawn were 2, 9, 22 & 23

• Match 4 Winners [€2,850] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - Stacey Reddy Barrymore, Marty Lohan c/o Palace Bar & Kathy Mears Barrymore.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

The next draw takes place on Monday December 22nd 2003 in the Palace Bar for a jackpot of €3,000. Tickets cost just €2, and with a guaranteed winner every week, make sure you get your numbers in today!

Thanks to everyone who supported the annual Race Night on Friday night.

As usual, great craic was had by all, and full results will be available here shortly.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 10th December 2003 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 24th December 2003 unless otherwise stated:

Eric Molloy (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday December 8th 2003 are as follows:

08/12/03 - The Palace Bar, Saint Peter's Square
Numbers drawn were 2, 11, 18 & 26

• Match 4 Winners [€2,700] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - Sally Lennon , Drum, Athlone & Alan O'Neill Oakdale, Athlone.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

The next draw takes place on Monday December 15th 2003 in Potters Bar, Irishtown for a jackpot of €2,850. Tickets cost just €2, and with a guaranteed winner every week, make sure you get your numbers in today!

Derry City and Finn Harps will meet in the Final of the 2003 promotion/relegaion playoffs, next Wednesday and Saturday evening. Young Mark Farran scored his first three goals for Derry as they overcame Limerick FC 4 - 0 in the Brandywell on Saturday night. The defeat brought Limerick's fantastic 13 game unbeaten run to an end, and they will now be playing First Division football again next season.

Also playing in the First Division next season will be Bray Wanderers. After missing out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season thanks to some controversial decisions in their game against Dublin City, Bray lost both legs of their semi-final against Finn Harps, with Harps going into the final on a 3 - 1 aggregate scoreline.

The meeting of Derry and Harps in the final should ensure bumper crowds in Finn Park and the Brandywell. Harps are looking to regain their Premier Division status for the third season in a row through the playoffs, and would love nothing more than to do it at the expense of their more illustrious neighbours.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 3rd December 2003 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 17th December 2003 unless otherwise stated:

Michael Harney (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €40 as a result of reaching eight (8) penalty points.

Robert Shine (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €40 as a result of reaching eight (8) penalty points.

The senior side finished off their season with a win on Sunday afternoon when they overcame Monaghan United by a single goal in Century Homes Park.

Monaghan had goalkeeper Vladimir Munteanu sent off for a professional foul on Padraig Moran after 33 minutes. Defender Graham Doyle was sent into goal in the absence of a sub 'keeper.

After Monaghan dominated the second half, Athlone stole all three points with three minutes remaining - Eric Molloy getting his fifth goal of the season.

The Youths and Ladies teams were both idle over the weekend.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday December 1st 2003 are as follows:

01/12/03 - Higgins', Barrack Street
Numbers drawn were 3, 7, 14 & 18

• Match 4 Winners [€2,550] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - Adeleine Revins, c/o Paddy Moran, Ray Lennon c/o Sean Hegarty & Hannah Donovan c/o Higgins'.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None