Just two years after coming to within inches of toppling mighty Dynamo Kiev, Drogheda United are on the verge of disappearing into the abyss.
As the ball came whipping over from the left, time appeared to have stopped. Adam Hughes broke into the Dynamo Kiev penalty area. The goal was at his mercy.
If he scored from little more than six yards out, Drogheda United would achieve the most remarkable European result in League of Ireland history, setting the club just one step away from the Champions League group stages. All he had to do was keep a cool head.
The Australian midfielder had developed a knack of scoring goals by charging into the opposition’s box at just the right time, so all that was required was that he repeat the feat once more.
The travelling support and a large TV audience held its breath as he shaped to shoot. He didn’t make the right connection, though, and the ball blazed over the crossbar. Kiev, August 7, 2008 will go down as a proud day in the history of Drogheda United. It also, however, signals the beginning of the club’s steady decline from league champions to relegation fodder.
Despite worthy efforts of the supporters body, The Claret and Blue Club, dark clouds are hovering. Attendances have dropped to a few hundred hardly souls and the likelihood of relegation from the top flight has been pretty much accepted since Alan Mathews.
Appointed club manager in July 2002, Mathews is a former Longford Town player who played for the club under Dermot Keely in the early 1990s. stepped down as manager just a few weeks into the season. Today, it could well be confirmed. Survival in any guise, however, is now the priority.
Nothing remains from that night in Kiev except the memories. The club’s directors – who had pumped so many millions in both on and off the field only to be undone by a contentious planning decision in East Meath – have had to step down, the players are scattered to the four corners of the globe while the manager, Paul Doolin.
They may have managed to tread water last year, but 2010 has been one disaster after another. Bobby Browne, the club’s fifth (official) manager this season can only cling to hope going into today’s relegation decider against Bray Wanderers.
‘It is all or nothing. We know that nothing less than a win will do against Bray,’ Browne told the Irish Mail On Sunday.
‘There is still a glimmer of light that we can survive and we will give it a good go, but there is no doubt that changes need to be made to stabilize the club on and off the pitch.
‘In the last transfer window, nine players left the club. That’s a huge number, especially when you see other teams, like Bray, adding to their squad and bringing players in. But there is no denying that a lot of hard work needs to be done. We need to improve on the pitch from the defeat to St Pat’s and off it, too.
‘It is tough these days to run a League of Ireland club and get the crowds in, but the product is not right for us and we have to address that if we are to get the supporters through the turnstiles.’
Browne spent part of his playing career with Drogheda player and is well aware of the club’s standing locally. He still reckons that it will take ‘three or four’ years of hard work off the pitch to get it back to a level of sustainability but he wants to be part of it.
‘I knew when I came in that I couldn’t change things overnight, but I’ve had a meeting with the club and discussed the possibility of staying on for next year,’ said Browne.
‘I felt that this was the right club for me even if it wasn’t at the ideal time due to their position in the league and having so few games left. But the club needs to build towards the future.’
In the opposite dugout today, Browne will face Pat Devlin, another manager with previous links to the Boynesiders.
Devlin, who had two seasons as manager at Drogheda in the early 1990s, admits to not being surprised at his former club’s current predicament and insisted that there will be no room for sentiment as the Seagulls are also scrapping to secure their top-flight status.
‘Nothing surprises me in football although Drogheda’s situation is huge considering they were just a stone throw’s away from reaching the Champions League a few years ago,’ said Devlin.
‘Every game has been a must-win for us in the last six to eight weeks, so nothing will change in that regard for this game as nothing is guaranteed yet.
‘Considering the hand that we were dealt at the start of the season, it is remarkable that we are even able to compete. But there have been a lot of changes to our squad and that made a big difference.
‘In one sense, we’ve only reached the bridge that secures our Premier Division status, but we have yet to cross it. There are still three massive games for us to get through.
‘Even though I enjoyed my time in Drogheda and still have a lot of friends up there, sentiment can’t come into it. I’m sure they won’t show us any sympathy either as both teams need to win this game.’
A win for Drogheda may be a welcome tonic at Hunky Dory’s Park but will surely only postpone the inevitable. Their journey from Kiev to the backwater of the League of Ireland First Division is only 90 minutes from a conclusion.
The SuperDrogs… where are they now?
DROGHEDA assembled one of the strongest squads in the League of Ireland for their Champions League qualifying campaign, yet two years on from that night in Kiev not one of the players are still with the club.
JAMIE EWINGS
Ewings was drafted in after first-choice Dan Connor got injured. He is now with Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Second Division.
STUART BYRNE
Asked to fill in at right back in Kiev, Byrne has spent the bulk of his career operating in centre midfield, where he is currently playing for St Patrick’s Athletic.
BRIAN SHELLEY
A flirtation with a move to the UK ended when this versatile defender signed for Bohemians, where he has won the League, EA Sports Cup and Setanta Sports Cup.
GRAHAM GARTLAND
Ipswich tried to sign him after consistently standing out for Drogs, but he eventually completed a switch to St Johnstone, who he helped win promotion to the SPL.
JOE KENDRICK
Following a stint in Azerbaijan with Neftchi Baku, Kendrick linked up with Sligo Rovers before returning to Drogheda, but he left this summer and is still a free agent.
RICHIE BAKER
The tricky winger moved to Shelbourne for a third time in his career after leaving Drogs and is now contracted to Bray Wanderers.
SHANE ROBINSON
Joined Shamrock Rovers last year, although he is now in Australia playing for amateur side Stirling Lions.
PAUL KEEGAN
Under-rated during his time with Drogs Keegan is now vice-captain and a key player for Bohemians.
ADAM HUGHES
Having impressed for Sligo, the Australian won a move to Drogheda, where he spent just one season before returning home to sign for A-League side Adelaide United.
OLLIE CAHILL
Following a season-and-ahalf with Shamrock Rovers, this experienced campaigner made the move to Sporting Fingal, where he is currently plying his trade.
EAMON ZAYED
Recently called up to th e Libya national team, Zayed has been with Sporting Fingal since leaving Drogheda.