Cork City Football Club

Cork City

Full name	Cork City Football Club
Nickname(s)	"City", "Rebel Army"
Founded	1984
Dissolved	23 February 2010[1]
Ground	Turners Cross, Cork, County Cork (Capacity: 7,485, all seated)
2009	League of Ireland Premier Division, 3rd
Home colours Away colours

Cork City Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Cathrach Chorcaí) was an Irish football team that played in the League of Ireland. Founded and elected to the league in 1984 to continue the long tradition of Association Football in Cork, its traditional colours were green and white with red trim. It was one of the first clubs in Ireland (and the first in Cork) to field a team of professional footballers. With the progression of professionalism at the club, continued development of the Turner's Cross stadium and the transition to summer football, the club became one of the biggest and best supported clubs in the country.^[2]

Between 2008 and 2010 however, the club suffered financial hardships and management controversy. The club entered a period of examinership in 2008 and was subject to a winding up order taken by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. Despite some temporary stays, the financial and management issues meant the resignation of the club chairman,^[3][4] several months of court and legal wrangling,^[5] and denial of a Premier Division license by the FAI licensing committee.^[6] Ultimately the holding club's holding company, Cork City Investments Fc Ltd, was wound up by the courts.^[6] Cork City FORAS Co-op was founded in the immediate aftermath of the winding up, and are now Cork's sole representative in the League of Ireland.^[7] The continuation club subsequently purchased the rights to the name "Cork City Football Club" from the liquidators.^[8]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Pre-1980s 1.2 1980s 1.3 1990s 1.4 2000s 1.5 2010s 2 Honours and records 2.1 Honours 2.2 Records 2.3 Hall of Fame 2.4 League placings 2.5 European competition 3 Cork City managers 4 Kit and colours 5 Supporters 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

History

Pre-1980s

The club founded in 1984 was not the first to use the name Cork City. During the 1920s, together with Fordsons, Cork Bohemians, Cobh Ramblers and Cork Celtic, a Cork City fielded teams in both the Munster Junior League and the Munster Senior League.^[9] Another Cork City played in the League of Ireland for just one season, 1938-39.^[10] With a team that included Owen Madden, Tom Davis and Jackie O'Driscoll, they also won the Munster Senior Cup in 1939. This club evolved from the earlier Cork clubs, Fordsons and Cork, and played its home games at the Mardyke. For the 1939-40 season they changed their name to Cork United and became the league's most successful club during the 1940s. They then became Cork Athletic before eventually folding in 1958. Their place in the league was taken by Cork Hibernians.

1980s

In 1984 senior football returned to Leeside when a new Cork City FC was founded by officials from several Cork clubs (including Cork United and Avondale United), and the new club was elected to the League of Ireland. Former Chelsea and Cork Celtic hero Bobby Tambling was the first manager appointed to the club, but he was replaced by Tony 'Tucker' Allen after only 13 games.

In its first and second seasons, the young club barely averted relegation to the new First Division - failing to win a single game at home in Flower Lodge and avoiding relegation only on goal difference. The FAI Cup offered some respite, however Shamrock Rovers knocked City out in the semi-finals - in the last match played at the Lodge.

In 1986 the club moved to a new home at Turners Cross, where new manager Noel O’Mahony brought Cork to a midtable finish. The following year the club strived to inject a degree of professionalism, and former Ireland striker Eamon O'Keefe arrived as manager, delivering the Munster Senior Cup, and the League of Ireland Cup (the club’s first national silverware).

Poor form and attendances cast doubts over O’Keefe’s tenure and there was an acrimonious parting of the ways in 1988. With Noel O’Mahony re-installed the side finished eighth in the league, and a loss to champions Derry City in the FAI Cup final earned the club its first European ticket.

They experienced gained in a 0-6 on aggregate defeat against the Russian side Torpedo Moscow inspired a fifth-place finish in the Premier Division, and the Munster Senior Cup was reclaimed.

1990s

The early 1990s was a positive period for the club, with lengthy unbeaten league runs, high league positions, retention of the Munster Senior Cup through 4 years, and good performances in Europe. The most notable European game was a gallant performance in a UEFA Cup tie with Bayern Munich, which saw City hold the German giants 1:1 at Musgrave Park before falling 0:2 to late goals in Bavaria. 1993 saw Cork City land the League of Ireland Premier Division title for the first time, after a complicated three team play-off. O'Mahoney resigned and the club moved to a new stadium in Bishopstown at the end of the season.

Damien Richardson took the helm and the 1993/94 season began with City coming from three goals down to beat Welsh side Cwmbran Town in the UEFA Champions League. Their reward was a trip to Istanbul and odd-goal defeats both home and away to Galatasaray. City ended up finishing in runners up position in the league.

1994/95 was a tumultuous season for Cork City. After a bright start to the season, financial pressures forced Richardson to resign and with Bishopstown not being developed to plan, games were switched to Cobh, Turners Cross, and even an enforced trip to Tolka Park. O'Mahony was re-appointed as manager but the title challenge collapsed and neither Munster Senior Cup nor League of Ireland Cup successes could ease the sense of foreboding.

At the start of the 1995/96 season Rob Hindmarch took the reins, but the club was in trouble. With the stadium dragging it under, the receiver was called in and the club left homeless. Efforts to save the situation saw a new Board installed and a move back to Turners Cross. Penniless, Hindmarch had skimmed along but relegation still threatened, and a Cup exit saw Dave Barry appointed. The team scrambled to ninth in the league, and for the first time in five years City lost the Munster Cup - to Waterford junior side Waterford Crystal.

1996/97 saw City finish fourth place. The club narrowly lost out on League Cup glory with an unexpected loss to First Division Galway United. Crowds began to increase, and the Munster Senior Cup was recaptured. The following season Cork performed admirably in the InterToto Cup and the team improved to third in the league. Dave Barry's reign reached its high point in that year, when City won the 1998 FAI Cup, beating Shelbourne 1-0 in a replayed final at Dalymount Park. Cork began the following season with eight straight wins but in the end had to settle for second place, as three defeats to champions St Patrick’s Athletic cost them dearly. After finishing runner up for the second season in a row in 1999/2000, Barry resigned to be replaced by Colin Murphy.

2000s

Colin Murphy stayed for one FAI Super Cup game before departing to Leicester City just days before a crucial UEFA Cup game. His replacement, Derek Mountfield, lasted less than a season and was replaced by former player Liam Murphy. Under Murphy City embarked on a 13-game unbeaten run that brought an Intertoto ticket and a tenth Munster Cup success.

In 2001 a controversial link-up was proposed between City, English side Leicester City and local outfit Mayfield United. Fans protested however, and the link-up never materialised. Also in 2001, the board of directors stepped down and businessman Brian Lennox assumed control and lead the club to a new professional era.

2002 was most notable as a time of transition, as several older players, who had been a mainstay of the team in the 1990s, left the club or joined the coach staff. They were replaced by younger signings - such as George O'Callaghan, John O'Flynn and Dan Murray.

In February 2003 ex-St. Pat's manager Pat Dolan was unveiled as the new boss and he led City to third place in the new summer season. Dolan's second season as manager also proved successful, as City surpassed Malmö FF and NEC Nijmegen in the Intertoto Cup and second place in the league was secured.

Dolan was controversially sacked in pre-season 2005 and replaced by former manager Damien Richardson. In 2005, Richardson lead Cork City to their second league championship - winning on the final day of the season with a 2-0 victory over Derry City. In the same year, Cork City finished runners-up the FAI Cup.

2006 saw further upgrade work begin at Turners Cross and City met Apollon Limassol and Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League. The club lost to Drogheda United in the Setanta Cup Final, finished 4th in the league, and secured a place in the Intertoto and Setanta Cup.

At the start of the 2007 season, two new signings were deemed ineligible for play. This mirrored an inconsistent season start, with elimination from the Setanta Cup, a home win against St. Pat's and a record-equalling 4-1 defeat to Sligo Rovers. In August 2007, Roy O'Donovan left for Sunderland for a record LOI fee of €500,000. 2007 also saw the club's ownership change hands: from Chairman Brian Lennox to venture capital firm "Arkaga". Despite an FAI Cup win, manager Damien Richardson's future at the club was in doubt, and - after some acrimony - he and the club parted ways.^[11]

In January 2008, former Longford Town boss Alan Mathews became manager,^[12] and the club signed several players - including taking advantage of FIFA's changes to the "3 club" rule by re-signing George O'Callaghan from Ipswich Town. However O'Callaghan was later dropped and released. City were knocked out of the first qualifying round in European competition by FC Haka. While David Mooney retained the league's top scorer spot, City failed to take points from Bohemians or St. Pats and finished fifth in the league. The club did however gain some silverware, beating Glentoran in the Setanta Sports Cup final.^[13] Off the pitch the club suffered a considerable threat when, in August 2008, after investment difficulties with venture capital firm Arkaga,^[14] the club entered into examinership.^[15] With debts of up to €800,000, cost cutting measures were implemented.^[16] Under related rules, the club was deducted 10 points in the league.^[17] In October 2008 the High Court ruled in favour of Tom Coughlan's bid to take over the club, and ended the examinership.

Paul Doolin replaced Mathews as manager for the 2009 season,^[18] and the side gained a number of positive results early in 2009 - including defeating Roy Keane's touring Ipswich Town 2-0.^[19] Despite these on pitch results however, the club's future was left in considerable doubt following a High Court decision on outstanding Revenue receipts.^[20] A "winding up" order was issued when no agreement could be reached on tax payments.^[21] The club were given several extensions to pay or to appeal,^[22][23][24] and the club narrowly staved off closure by meeting a final deadline.^[25] Doolin left at the end of 2009, after leading the club to a third place finish in the 2009 premier division season.^[26]

2010s

Fallout from the financial and management difficulties in 2008 and 2009 followed the club into the new decade. Roddy Collins was appointed manager before the start of the 2010 season,^[27] despite questions over his contract status at Floriana F.C..^[28] Mounting pressure on owner Tom Coughlan (including threatened boycotts^[29] and censure by the FAI)^[4][30] resulted in his resignation as chairman.^[3] Club participation in the Premier Division was also left in doubt as licensing decisions were deferred pending changes in club ownership and payment of outstanding tax receipts.^[5] Ultimately the club failed to gain this licence, meaning a deal on new ownership could not be secured, and the courts enforced a winding-up order on Cork City Investment FC Limited.^[31][32] Cork City FORAS Co-op were founded in the immediate aftermath of the winding up by fans of the club and replaced Cork City Football Club as Cork's sole representative in the League of Ireland.

This is not to say that Cork City FC ceased to exist entirely, as the company was still in existence during its liquidation period. The Underage teams continue to exist under the name although these teams are now funded by the Supporters owned Cork City Foras Co-Op.^[33] Many City fans see Cork City Foras Co-Op and Cork City FC as one and the same and a continuation of each other. FORAS have recently purchased the name and other rights of Cork City Football Club ^[34], and will begin trading under the moniker again in the 2011 season.

Honours and records

Honours

Title	Year/s
League of Ireland	1992-93, 2005
FAI Cup	1998, 2007
League of Ireland Cup	1987-88, 1994–95, 1998–99
Munster Senior Cup	1987-88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2008
Setanta Sports Cup	2008

Records

General
Record league victory	(a) v Limerick 7-1, 26 September 1993
Record league defeat	(a) v Derry City 2-7, 27 August 1987
Longest unbeaten run	24, 1 April 1990 - 13 January 1991
Most Successive wins	9, 27 March 2009 - 5 June 2009
Appearances
Most appearances	John Caulfield - 455
Most starts	John Caulfield - 376
Most consecutive starts	Michael Devine - 118
Most substitute appearances	John Caulfield - 79
League Goals
Aggregate	John Caulfield - 129, Pat Morley - 129
Season	Pat Morley - 20 (Twice)
Game	No Cork City player scored more than 3 goals in a game. John O'Flynn (3 times), Ollie Cahill (2 times), John Caulfield (2 times), Kelvin Flanagan, Pat Morley, Roy O'Donovan (2 times) Denis Behan and Colin O'Brien all scored a hat trick
Clean Sheets	Phil Harrington - 112

Hall of Fame

Year	Inductee
2006*	Dave Barry
2006	Patsy Freyne
2007	Declan Daly
2007	Phil Harrington
2008	John Caulfield
2008	Pat Morley
2009	Liam Murphy
2009	Colin T O'Brien
* The "Cork City Official Supporters Club Hall of Fame" was inaugurated in 2006 - following a charity match between the Supporters Club and a "Legends" selection of past Cork City players.

League placings

Season	Points Total	Position	Season	Points Total	Position
1984/85	28	9th	1996/97	54	4th
1985/86	13	10th	1997/98	53	3rd
1986/87	18	7th	1998/99	70	2nd
1987/88	34	7th	1999/2000	58	2nd
1988/89	26	8th	2000/01	56	3rd
1989/90	37	5th	2001/02	49	6th
1990/91	50	2nd	2002/03	39	4th
1991/92	43	3rd	2003[1]	53	3rd
1992/93	48	1st	2004	65	2nd
1993/94	59	2nd	2005	74[2]	1st
1994/95	49	7th	2006	56	4th
1995/96	41	9th	2007	55	4th
^ Change to "Summer" season ^ Premier division points record ^ Deducted 10 points (administration)			2008	46[3]	5th
			2009	60	3rd

European competition

Competition	Played	Win	Draw	Lost	For	Against
UEFA Champions League/European Cup	8	2	1	5	7	12
UEFA Cup	14	2	3	9	6	20
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	4	1	0	3	2	9
UEFA Intertoto Cup	16	4	6	6	11	13
Total	42	9	10	23	26	54

Year	Competition	Opponents
1989-90	Cup Winners' Cup	Torpedo Moscow
1991-92	UEFA Cup	Bayern Munich
1993-94	European Cup	Cwmbran Town
	European Cup	Galatasaray
1994-95	UEFA Cup	Slavia Prague
1997-98	Intertoto Cup	Standard Liège
	Intertoto Cup	Maccabi Petah Tikva
	Intertoto Cup	FC Cologne
	Intertoto Cup	FC Aarau
1998-99	Cup Winners' Cup	CSKA Kyiv
1999–2000	UEFA Cup	IFK Gothenburg
2000-01	UEFA Cup	Lausanne Sports
2001-02	Intertoto Cup	FHK Liepājas Metalurgs
2004-05	Intertoto Cup	Malmö FF
	Intertoto Cup	NEC Nijmegen
	Intertoto Cup	FC Nantes Atlantique
2005-06	UEFA Cup	Ekranas
	UEFA Cup	Djurgårdens IF
	UEFA Cup	Slavia Praha
2006-07	Champions League	Apollon Limassol
	Champions League	Crvena Zvezda
2007-08	Intertoto Cup	Valur
	Intertoto Cup	Hammarby
2008-09	UEFA Cup	FC Haka

Cork City managers

Year/s	Manager
1984	Bobby Tambling
1984-85	Tony 'Tucker' Allen
1986	Noel O'Mahoney
1987	Eamon O'Keefe
1988–1992	Noel O'Mahoney
1992-93	Damien Richardson
1993-94	Noel O'Mahoney
1994-95	Rob Hindmarch
1995–2000	Dave Barry
2000	Colin Murphy
2000	Derek Mountfield
2000–2003	Liam Murphy
2003–2004	Pat Dolan
2005–2007	Damien Richardson
2008	Alan Mathews
2009	Paul Doolin
2010	Roddy Collins

Kit and colours

Original kit 1984-1989	Recurring black Away kit
Red Home kit 1997-2002	v. Nijmegen 2004
See: CorkCityFc.tk

The club's colours largely reflected the traditional colours of association football in Cork, with green and white featuring heavily. Since the club's inception in 1984, the kits also featured a red trim - influenced in part by the traditional Gaelic Athletic Association colours of County Cork. Over the years, these base colours were worn in different combinations:^[35] originally green and white hoops in 1984, then white shirts with green and red trim in 1989, etc.^[36]

In 1997, the club broke with tradition to use a red and white kit - reminiscent of the popular Cork County GAA kits. Subsequently, the club reverted to the green and white theme in 2002, initially with white sidings rather than stripes, but eventually returning to green white and red stripes.^[35]

Since 1984, the team only wore a kit with a single solid colour once, and at that not by choice. In 2004, when visiting Intertoto cup opponents NEC Nijmegen, the referee deemed both Cities' kits to clash with both of NEC's, and the club was forced to hurriedly source a viable alternative while en route to the Netherlands. The team wore all-white with a makeshift crest and sponsorship.

There was a recurring theme of black away kits - often with yellow trim - reflecting the kits of former Cork clubs.^[35] In 2004 a Cork XI selection featuring many City players faced Bolton Wanderers, wearing yellow and black. Black again became the colour of the teams away jersey in 2008 with a jersey from Danish sports outfit Hummel.

Supporters

At times the Rebel Army had one of the biggest support bases in the League of Ireland, often having attendances of four of five thousand compared to a league average of 2,000.

At the last home match of 2006, long-running fanzine FourFiveOne announced that it was discontinuing, leaving "I was out there once!" (IWOTO)^[37] and "Spreadin' the Dirt" as the remaining fanzine offerings. In the 2007 season a new fanzine, Going Commando was launched.

"The Shed" is a small section of seating on the right side of the Curragh Road stand and home to Cork City's more vocal supporters.

See also

• League of Ireland in Cork city
• Former Cork City FC players

References

External links

• Official Website
• Cork City Unofficial Forum
• Cork City Supporters Trust
• Cork City F.C. Jerseys