The 60 Grand Challenge

Sligo Rovers play in the League of Ireland Premier Division. We are a small fan owned community club that compete in a league against millionaire and billionaire-owned clubs. As a fan-owned club, we have to fight for every cent we get, and consequently watch every cent we spend. When you wonder why we let Seamus Coleman go for a steal at 60 grand, well, we didn’t have a choice. We knew his potential, but we had to sell as that money saw us survive the season. Historically, we have much in common with you. Seamus Coleman and Dixie Dean are counted as club legends by both Sligonians and Evertonians. As a 20-year-old, Seamus Coleman had already played for Sligo Rovers 56 times when he was transferred to Everton in January 2009, subsequently making over 400 appearances for the club. Dixie Dean played for Everton 399 times and also played for Sligo Rovers in 1939. The outbreak of World War 2 ended his time with us, but he often said his period in Sligo was one of the happiest times in his life. We are also two clubs united by our love of football. Just like us, the Everton supporter base is rooted in the working classes and we know you would do anything for the club. In the same way as you are battling to develop Bramley Moor, while continuing to fund your club, we too are facing a mountainous debt while trying to fund a stadium development that we must achieve in order to survive as a club. Consequently, we are launching a GoFundMe drive to help raise funds for the Sligo Rovers stadium development project. We have set ourselves a target to raise €60k. We are calling it The Sixty Grand Challenge – it is the fee Everton paid Sligo Rovers when you signed Seamus Coleman, which is regarded as one best pieces of transfer business in Premier League history. It is hard to disagree. But remember, without Sligo Rovers, it is highly probable Seamus Coleman would have played Gaelic football instead. Imagine that!! Everton’s loyal fan base would have never had the opportunity to sing the famous “60 Grand Seamus Coleman” song! As part of our stadium development effort, BORST (The Bit O’Red Supporters Trust) plans to dedicate a significant part of our headquarters to honour Seamus Coleman. Seamus, revered by both Sligo Rovers and Everton fans, embodies dedication, talent, and loyalty. Immortalizing his legacy in our stadium not only honours his achievements but also strengthens the bond between our clubs. We invite our Evertonian friends to support this cause, as your contributions will help turn our dream into reality. Let's unite behind the Sligo Rovers stadium project and honour Seamus Coleman's contributions to both our proud clubs.