Summer soccer not working well for Sligo

On a weekend when they are likely to get their biggest crowd of the season for the first return of their former manager, Bohemians…

On a weekend when they are likely to get their biggest crowd of the season for the first return of their former manager, Bohemians' Seán Connor, to the Showgrounds, Sligo Rovers have called a forum for next Tuesday night to discuss the way forward for the club in light of dwindling attendances.

Club chairman Michael Toolan is adamant that the switch to summer soccer is not working for Sligo and says the club is at a crossroads.

"The big thing that is going against the League of Ireland at this point in time is summer soccer. I cannot see the logic of the FAI having summer soccer," Toolan told the Sligo Weekender this week.

"We are competing with GAA and club matches. If you get people in rural parishes of a weekend evening, they will support their parish team, whereas in the winter time that type of distraction wouldn't be there. It is something that we have to really drive home that summer soccer is not working."

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Defender Gavin Peers will have a late fitness test on a thigh strain that's seen him miss Sligo's last two games while midfielder Chris Turner - a July transfer target for Bohemians - is away with the Northern Ireland under-21s in Moldova.

Bohemians remain without defender Dean Pooley (ankle) and winger Harpal Singh (shoulder) while manager Connor will give midfielder John Paul Kelly every chance to prove his fitness following a knee injury sustained during Monday's win over St Patrick's Athletic.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES: Premier Division: Sligo Rovers v Bohemians (7.45). First Division: Athlone Town v Shelbourne (7.0); Kildare County v Wexford Youths (7.30).