June 23 Annual AGM held earlier tonight in the clubhouse
Some say the season never ends and though most sides are now finished for the ever decreasing summer period, the off field business continues on a day to day basis.  Arklow Town Juniors held the Annual General Meeting in the clubhouse earlier tonight and the proceedings went without incident.  The outgoing (and incoming!) chairman Brian Byrne gave his report, as did Secretary Daragh Murray.  Four new arrivals were elected onto the committee - Tony Breslin, Fiona Ledwith, Pat Quinn and David Howe.  Last season's committee was returned en masse.

AGM Report
More seats than people was the story of the day as Arklow Town Football Club (Juniors) held its AGM earlier this evening, in the clubhouse at Bridgewater Centre Park, Lamberton.  Club Chairman Brian Byrne opened the proceedings paying thanks to many, and pointing to the fact that Arklow Town was now viewed by many outside the club as a "good breeding ground for the development of players".  Improvement, as ever, is required at all levels, and he pointed out the necessity for key improvement within the eleven a side teams between the ages of eleven and sixteen.  Hopefully, plans for key development in those areas could be announced soon.  He acknowledged the success at under 11 (Leinster Trophy) and under 15 levels, notably the 15s who became Leinster champions and reached an All-Ireland semi final, losing out to a very late penalty against the eventual winners, Waterford.

An immense sense of club pride was recognised when looking back over the season and noting the successes of a number of Arklow Town players.  The season began with Aaron Barry donning the national jersey, over in Galway at the Umbro Cup.  David O'Neill, too, enjoyed success at international level, playing in a tournament out in France and then down in Cork.  A most memorable year too for Shane Murray, who pulled on an Irish shirt no less than eleven times, scoring numerous goals.  As late as last weekend we had ten players trialling for various Irish national sides at three different levels.  The chairman was hopeful of being in position soon to announce details of a link with another club - a link that would could prove pivotal to player development in thecoming years.

The recent Gala Ball, held in the Arklow Bay Hotel, proved to be a most successful night with an excellent turn out of people associated with the Junior side of the Club.

Steady progress with the Senior side of the Club was acknowledged and thanks paid to Jackie Doyle, senior chairman Thomas Breen and all associated with the running of the senior side of Arklow Town FC.  Hopefully matters will carry on in this vein he added.  He paid thanks to the seniors for the "second to none" facilities at Bridgewater Centre Park.  Indeed, on that note, it is worth pointing out that at present both pitches have been totally relaid and will prove to be fabulous playing surfaces for all teams next season.  Arklow Community College, for providing the pitch in their grounds; Arklow Urban District Council (for the Leisure Centre pitch); Arklow CBS and Oliver Staunton out in Brittas were all thanked for providing facilities availed of by the Club.  Thank you.  He paid thanks to the committee of 2007/08 for their efforts put in over the course of the season and lastly, he thanked his family for their support throughout the year.

The Secretary, Daragh Murray, then added his own Report for the year echoing similar sentiment to that of the Chairman.  He cited the influx of new committee members last year - five in total - as a key component in the continual development of the Club and pointed to the resounding successes of both Annual Table Quiz and inter-club challenge matches with local GAA club AGB as just two major successes - both in terms of goodwill and finances raised.  Two very successful ventures indeed.  He hoped to see the addition of top level coaches coming into the Club, to assist our Director of Football, Lar Mahony.  The door is always open to top quality coaches coming into the Club.  Reference too was made of the potential link up with an English club, which could prove to be a fruitful avenue for player development in the future.

On a personal note, he thanked the Club for bestowing upon him the honour of induction into the Club's Hall of Fame and he was a very proud recipient indeed of the John Keogh award.

Reference was made also to this very website and its continuing growth.  Long may that continue to be the case.  It is a pivotal tool in Arklow Town Football Club's communication with other like minded sporting bodies.

Ending on a high note, he pointed to the continuing progression of the Club, the numbers of children playing on numerous teams.

We then came to the part of the night where a new chairman is supposedly elected, along with a new committee.  Brian Byrne was sentenced to another year in the big chair after being proposed, seconded, thirded, fourthed (you get the drift!) and last season's committee returned en masse.  Great though to see Tony Breslin, Fiona Ledwith, Pat Quinn and David Howe all coming forward to offer their services on committee next season.  All were welcome inclusions.

The meeting ended not long afterwards after a number of questions from the floor on a number of topics ranging from the selection process of teams to the real need to ensure we increase dramatically the number of managers with coaching qualifications to the problems facing players with the transition from junior to senior status.

June 13 WDSL Under 8 Presentation Day
There should be plenty of excitement, colour and noise in the Grand Hotel, Wicklow tomorrow, Sunday, with the presentation of certificates and medals to all under 8 players who participated in this season's WDSL divisions.  Arklow Town had five teams participating at this level, including the new U8E side, playing in the Purple South division, all of these players 'graduates' of the club's highly successful 6s and 7s Club.  All teams are asked to arrive wearing their club colours at least ten minutes before the time shown.  The presentation to players is as follows:  U8 Blue (10am-11am); U8 Purple (11.30am-12.30pm); U8 Red (1.30-2.30pm); U8 Green (3pm-4pm).

June 2 Kick Start coaching course a success
Seventeen managers and players were put through their paces in the FAI Kick Start 1 Coaching course, held at Bridgewater Centre Park on Bank Holiday Monday.  All enjoyed the course and all safely took the next step onto the coaching ladder with a successful completion of the course.

May 25 An address from Arklow Town FC President, Mr. Michael Morgan
Club President, Mr. Michael Morgan has penned a few words he wants to share with the members of Arklow Town Football Club, in the aftermath of his recent appointment as the first ever President of the Club - an honour bestowed upon him at the Gala Dinner, held in the Arklow Bay Hotel to celebrate the first sixty years of Arklow Town Football Club.  Mr. Morgan, who has been involved at various levels of the club for the last fifty seven years, is not often caught on the hop, stuck for a word or two.  The honour bestowed on him at the Gala Dinner left him, for once, short for words!  With time since to gather his thoughts, he has put pen to paper and composed an address to all involved at the Club:

"I would like, through the medium of the club website, to take this opportunity to thank the Committee and members of Arklow Town Football Club for the wonderful honour it bestowed on me by appointing me in the position of first ever President of the club.  The announcement at the recent Gala Dinner came as a complete shock to me and, for the first time ever, left me at a loss for words, which came as a surprise to many.  However, now that I have had the chance to collect my thoughts, I would like to publicly respond.

This year, we celebrate the club's sixtieth birthday, and I have had the good fortune to have been involved for 57 of those years, during that time, as administrator, player, manager and coach.  I have seen the good times and the bad times in the club but my abiding memory has been the pleasure to have worked alongside some of the finest people it has ever been my privilege to know.

I remember with affection the founding members of the club who struggled and - against all odds - succeeded in establishing soccer in Arklow.  Most of them have gone to their eternal reward, but I know that they would be proud indeed of what the club has achieved.

As I reflect on the many changes I have witnessed in the club over the years, I am aware that one thing has remained the same:  the basic ethos that sustained the club through good times and bad - loyalty, commitment, and above all else, discipline, has been the bedrock on which our club has flourished.  No club or organisation can continue to exist successfully without adhering to those three vital elements.  I should therefore appeal to all members to ensure that discipline remains the club's solid foundation.

Throughout the years our club has been blessed with great players and administrators and I have had the pleasure of working with all of them at one time or other.  I don't wish to single them out, as to do so would invariably leave out someone deserving of inclusion.  Suffice to say, that I am proud of each and every one of them.  They have been a credit to their club and home town.

I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of a section of the club so often forgotten and taken for granted - the wives and girlfriends of club members.  Over the years, these "soccer widows" have had to, on many occasions, take a backseat while their men folk went about the task of building the club.  I applaud them for their unselfish support and above all, their patience.

I must also pay tribute to the present day administrators at the helm of the club.  They are, in my opinion, the most talented and dedicated group ever to serve the club.

My highest praise however, I reserve for our present youth and juniors section.  Arklow Town Juniors has evolved into one of the best schoolboy academies in the country, thanks to the hard work and dedication of its administrators, managers and coaches.  Both the senior and junior committees of the club are exceptional people and Arklow Town FC is safe in their hands.

In conclusion, I would like once again to thank the club for the honour it has bestowed on me.  As first President and figurehead of the club, I would like to think that I can continue to make a positive contribution to the future of the club and thereby justifying the confidence placed in me by the members."

Michael Morgan, President Arklow Town Football Club

May 8  Get well soon, Joe
Everyone associated with Arklow Town Football Club would like to wish Joe Ledwith a speedy recovery as he undergoes an operation after severing his achilles heel tendon when playing for the Town's Junior managers against their AGB counterparts in Wednesday evening's first of two encounters.  Joe's injury highlights how easy it can be to suffer serious injury, as he jumped to claim, and win, a ball, before landing awkwardly on the hard surface, resulting in the injury.  Joe is currently in Tallaght hospital awaiting his operation tomorrow and it goes without saying that we all wish him a speedy recovery.

May 8 Town thwarted by our own kids playing for AGB!
Arklow Town's junior managers "sqezzed" into shirts aplenty earlier tonight, to make the short trek to Pearse Park, to face our gaelic counterparts from Arklow Geraldines / Ballymoney in the first of two clashes in both codes.  Somewhat surprisingly, the AGB side contained a high number of kids still playing underage football for Arklow Town!  Despite their obvious greater levels of fitness the Town team gave it their best shot and had the home side worried on more than one occasion.  Indeed they scored the only goal of the game, a wonderful Beckham-esque effort from distance by Brian O'Neill that sailed lovingly into the Gers net!   The final result, a 0-9 to 1-3 result for the home side means that Town must win the return game next Wednesday night at Bridgewater Centre Park, to lift the Cáirde Le Cheile cup.

Apr 17  Wonderful gesture from Joe Mills to commemorate Sixty Years
There have been many additions to our home at Lamberton over the years with one of the more pleasing on the eye being the new specially commissioned club crest adorning the wall of the clubhouse.  Joe Mills, manager of our U9B side and owner of Bathroom Shower & Tiles (located in the Croghan Industrial Estate), thought it would be a nice touch in this our sixtieth year to place a tiled club crest on the wall of the clubhouse.  All who have seen the crest have remarked how well it looks and credit to Joe and his family for making it so.

Mar 26  Town and Blades share the spoils
Arklow Town's U16 side had a very early rise earlier today, to catch a 6.30am flight over to Sheffield, to face United's Academy U16 side in a lunchtime fixture at their impressive state of the art facility at Shirecliffe.  In particular we would like to thank Sheffield United chief scout Greg Batten for organising the trip and all at Sheffield United for their excellent hospitality afforded the visiting Arklow Town F.C.side.  The match itself was an excellent display of football which finished all square, 2-2 at the final whistle. Jack Tim Murphy continuing his fine goalscoring run of late with the Town's opener and Adam O'Connor added the second with a fine volley finish.  Match report and pictures to follow.

Aug 30 National Cup draws made
The draw has been made for the initial rounds of the National Cups at the various age levels.

Under 11 Menton-Seery Cup
Newtown Juniors v Arklow Town A
Wicklow Rovers or Kill Athletic v Arklow Town B
Under 12 Norton Cup
Kilcullen v Arklow Town A
Arklow Town B v Sacred Heart
Under 13 Troy Cup
Arklow Town A v Broadford
Ardmore Rovers v Arklow Town B
Under 14 Goodson Cup
Arklow Town A v Firhouse
Arklow Town B v Kilcock
Under 15 Evans Cup
Arklow Town - received bye
Under 16 Barry Cup
Arklow Town - received bye

All first round games to be played on weekend September 22/23 2007.
All second round games to be played on weekend October 20/21 2007.
All third round games to be playerd on weekend November 10/11 2007.
All fourth round games to be played on weekend December 1/2 2007.
No postponments will be entertained.
Notice of one week to be given to WDSL Fixtures Secretary as to time/place and date of game.