LIMERICK FC manager Martin Russell has called on the club’s supporters to be patient this season, believing that the team can compete in the Premier Division.
With many of last year’s most influential players no longer at the club and severe financial difficulties raising doubts over Limerick’s top flight future, expectations have been lowered on Shannonside, although Russell remains upbeat despite the challenging circumstances.
He said: “I’m focused on maximising what I have. If we can put out a team to be competitive, which I believe we can, I’m sure during the season that the introduction of some younger players may be ahead of schedule.
“I just want the lads to be competitive from day one and, as I said last year, the accumulation of points will take us to where we deserve to be. I’m hopeful that we can be competitive and play an attractive brand of football that people will want to come and see.”
Russell has pleaded for Limerick fans to show patience throughout the season ahead and actively support the club as it returns to the Markets Field, echoing sentiments often expressed by chairman Pat O’Sullivan in recent years.
“The club had 19 years in the First Division. Only when the chairman got involved did they get back into the Premier Division. It’s now a question, and it’s a question for everybody in Limerick, of how successful we want the club to be.
“If everybody gets behind it, there is no reason why Limerick can’t be a top club in Ireland, but it does need more help. Hopefully by Pat saying it as it is, people will see that there’s good work being done and they want to become involved to take it to the next level.
“Just be patient because it is important that you have a club that is able to sustain itself rather than a club that goes to the wall or into the First Division, where this club shouldn’t be.
“It should be in the top division and it should be challenging. Down the road I’m sure it will be if the right people come in and support what’s being done.”
Russell currently has 14 players in his first team squad, with experienced defender Samuel Oji expected to sign again with the club this week.
The manager has targeted a central defender and a striker as his main transfer priorities before the season opener against Bohemians on March 7, with the possibility of two pre-season friendlies to come later this month.
While Russell admitted that it will be a testing season, he remains confident that Limerick can have a positive 2015.
“It’s a challenge, but I’m hopeful that we can be as competitive as we finished last year and, if we can, I think we will be very successful. If we haven’t got a mad injury crisis, there’s no reason with the group we’ll have that we can’t do well, so I’m looking forward to it.”
