Founded back in 1887 Athlone Town is the oldest soccer club in the Republic of Ireland and since 1927 St. Mel's Park has been the home of Athlone Town F.C. For close on 80 years this venue has served Athlone football very well indeed and many of us have happy memories of St. Mel's Park and can recall very exciting games played there. The visit of football giants A.C. Milan in 1975 and two successful league campaigns under manager Turlough O'Connor in the years 1981 and 1983 are just a few to treasure.

Time has moved on since then and so have the standards of playing facilities and regretfully St. Mel's Park has not kept pace with improving venues nationwide. Under new U.E.F.A. regulations Athlone Town F.C. will no longer be permitted to continue playing at St. Mel's Park after April 2004. Under the new F.A.I. Licensing Regulations Athlone Town F.C. are obliged to move to a new stadium that meets the required criterion, if Eircom League Football is to continue in Athlone. Any thoughts of losing top-flight football in Athlone, which steeped in history and proud of its heritage, is just unthinkable.

The development of a purpose built modern stadium is now a must and requires a new impetus and urgency. With this in mind Athlone Town F.C. has acquired an 8.5 acre site adjacent to the Athlone Regional Sports Centre, Ballymahon Road. Plans are now well underway for the constructrion of a modern 5,000 all seater football stadium, a second playing pitch and adequate car parking. Full planning permission has been granted and a stadium project team has been carefully selected to guide the project to full fruition. We expect the development to take about three years to complete and the cost will be in the region of €4 million.

We are now inviting you to join us in this unique piece of Athlone sporting history. To ensure that everyone can play their role we have on offer two different levels of financial participation for the corporate sector. We would encourage you to select the level that appeals most to you.

We are pleased to confirm one million Euro has already been approved by Lottery Funding, but it is very important to point out that further government funding may be approved on the basis of local community contributions. A positive financial response from the community is vital to the success of the entire development. Please do not let this historic development pass without your participation. All funds donated to the new stadium will be used exclusively for the new Stadium project. May we take this opportunity to thank you for your support to Athlone Town F.C. in the past and we look forward with confidence to your support for this once in a lifetime development.

Thanking you,

Yours in Sport,

Tom Burke
Project Manager.

LEVEL A: ATHLONE TOWN F.C. NEW STADIUM 5 YEAR PATRON FOR €1,000 You or your company are invited to become Patrons of the Athlone Town F.C. Stadium In return for your patronage you will receive Two season tickets for five years for all Athlone Town eircom League games played at the new stadium. Pre-match and half time hospitality at the new stadium. A five year patronage certificate which can be displayed at your home or workplace. Your name, or that of your company, will be displayed in the Clubhouse at the new stadium. Your name, or that of your company, will appear in each eircom League match day programme during your patronage.   LEVEL B: 10 YEAR MEMBERSHIP OF THE ATHLONE TOWN F.C. NEW STADIUM FOR €5,000 You or your company are invited to become a 10 year member of the Athlone Town F.C. New Stadium In return for your 10 year membership you will receive Two free International Tickets for each of Ireland's home qualifying matches for the next World Cup and European matches. Two season tickets for a period of 10 years for all Athlone Town eircom League matches played at the new stadium. Pre-match and half time hospitality at the new stadium. A framed 10 Year Membership certificate which can be displayed at your home or workplace. Your name, or that of your company, will be displayed in the Clubhouse at the new stadium. Your name, or that of your company, will appear in each eircom League match day programme during your 10 year membership.   There are Attractive Sponsorship Opportunities Available to the Corporate Sector! On offer, for example, the Naming Rights to the Stadium itself, The Main Stand 'A', Stands 'B', 'C', and 'D', Boardroom, Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, Hospitality Areas (x2), and Changing Areas (x3). All areas will represent excellent value for money. For your free brochure, or for further details please contact Mr. Tom Burke, Project Manager, Athlone Town F.C. Stadium Ltd., Magazine Road, Athlone Phone: (090) 6498649 • Fax: (090) 6498838 • Mobile: (087) 4195686 Email: athlonetownfcstadium1@eircom.net