Sligo Rovers F.C.

Beginnings

Sligo Rovers Football Club was formed on 17 September 1928 as a result of an amalgamation of two junior sides, Sligo Town and Sligo Blues. Their first game was a 9–1 victory against Ballyshannon, a team from County Donegal in Ulster, on 23 September 1928 in the qualifying round of the Connacht Cup. The club, elected to the League of Ireland in 1934, hails from Sligo and play their home matches at the Showgrounds and have done so ever since their inception. The home colours are red with white sleeve uppers, with red shorts and socks while the away colours are white with black sides, white shorts and socks. The third alternative kit is navy with red sleeve uppers, navy shorts and navy socks with a red upper part.

1928–1940: Early success

The club started well by winning the FAI Junior Cup in their first season, beating Grangegorman in the final at the Showgrounds 3–0. The following season also brought silverware in the shape of the Connacht Junior Cup with Rovers beating Galway in the final 1–0 after a replay. At the beginning of the 1931–32 season the club successfully applied to join the Dublin-based Sunday Alliance League and won their first game at this level by beating Windy Arbour 4–2 at the Showgrounds and went on to win the league, finishing four points ahead of Westland Sligo. After this success the club moved up another level the following season by joining the Leinster Senior League and played their first game away to UCD in August 1932…

2018

Liam Buckley was appointed manager on 26 October 2018. The club finished seventh during his first season in charge. Buckley guided the team to a fourth-place finish in 2020, securing European football for the following season. Buckley went one better in the 2021 season, finishing in third place and again securing European football.

2017

Gerard Lyttle managerial post ran from 21 April 2017 – 16 October 2018.

2015

Dave Robertson managerial post ran from 19 November 2015 – 5 April 2017. Micky Adams managerial post ran from 4 August 2015 – 2 November 2015. Joseph N'Do & Gavin Dykes caretaker posts ran from 26 June 2015 – 4 August 2015.

2014

Owen Heary managerial post ran from 26 October 2014 – 26 June 2015. Gavin Dykes caretaker post ran from 18 September 2014 – 26 October 2014. John Coleman managerial post ran from 21 June 2014 – 18 September 2014. John Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell joined Sligo Rovers in June 2014, tasked with getting Rovers back into the Europa League for 2015. Ultimate Coleman failed in his goals, although Rovers did get through a round against FK Banga Gargždai. Rovers went on to Beat Rosenborg BK away, but lost the home leg and were eliminated. John and Jimmy left for Accrington Stanley F.C. in September but are returning for a friendly against Sligo Rovers.

2012

Ian Baraclough managerial post ran from 27 February 2012 – 19 June 2014. Former Scunthorpe United boss Baraclough succeeded Cook after…

League of Ireland/Premier Division: 3 1936–37, 1976–77, 2012 FAI Cup: 5 1982–83, 1993–94, 2010, 2011, 2013 League of Ireland Cup: 2 1997–98, 2010 Dublin City Cup: 1 1936–37 Setanta Sports Cup: 1 2014 League of Ireland First Division: 2 1993–94, 2005 League of Ireland First Division Shield: 1 1993–94 Leinster Senior League: 1 1933–34 FAI Intermediate Cup: 1 1933–34 FAI Junior Cup: 1 1928–29 Connacht Senior League Winners: 1981–82, 1991–92, 1993–94: 3 Runners Up: 1982–83, 1990–91, 1992–93: 3 Connacht Senior Cup Winners: 1981–82: 1 Connacht Senior League Challenge Cup Winners: 1990–91, 1993–94: 2 Connacht Junior Cup Winners: 1929–30: 1