Cup holders expect to get licence

Longford Town officials were confident last night that the club will obtain the Premier Division licence it requires from the FAI over the next 48 years with the club's chairman, Jim Hanley, insisting that the outstanding issues involved were "very close" to being resolved.

The cup holders' failure to obtain the sanction they require from the association to play in top flight and European football during the coming season became all the more embarrassing yesterday as Dundalk, Kildare Town and Dublin City were all awarded first division licenses thus leaving the Flancare Park outfit as the only one of the 22 league clubs yet to meet the standard required of it.

However, Hanley, who is out of the country on business at present, said that the indications are that the situation will be resolved ahead of tomorrow's deadline. "I've been in regular contact with everyone involved back home and we're comfortable enough about the situation at this stage. There were a few minor things to be sorted out but they were mainly related to documentation and I've been told that they've all been looked after. We would expect confirmation that we have met all the requirement very soon now."

Dublin City chief executive Ronan Seery expressed delight yesterday that his club is now now free to concentrate on preparing for next month's start to the first division campaign after obtaining its licence yesterday afternoon. "In one way I was never really worried about it," he said, "but in another, you just never know what's going to happen so of course it's a major relief to have it safely out of the way now."

Earlier in the day it had been confirmed by the FAI that Kildare County and Dundalk had also received the required approval from the Appeals Committee after sorting out a number of issues, relating mainly, once again, to documentation.

Dundalk, meanwhile, will today formally launch their investment in an all weather surface at Oriel Park where the club hopes to generate revenue and significantly cut maintenance costs by replacing its current grass pitch and becoming the first eircom League club to play competitive football on the new generation of artificial turf.

Bray Wanderers have unveiled a new scheme aimed at boosting the club's links with the town's business community. The plan is to make local firms aware of the various ways in which they can work in partnership with the club while also providing them with the opportunity to secure tickets for World Cup and other international games.

"We have a lot to offer out business associates," said Wanderers general manager Jack O'Neill, "and after the success achieved by Eircom League clubs in Europe the commercial credibility of a club like ours has never been more important."

Former youth international and Bradford City defender Jason Gavin looks set to sign for Shamrock Rovers.The 24-year-old has been training with the club this week and is one of a number of new signings expected soon.