A look at the Bit O'Red ahead of the 2024 season
Sligo Rovers come into 2024 on the back of a disappointing season in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division in 2023.
Expectations were centred around getting into Europe again after famous nights against Motherwell and there were signs that the Bit O’ Red could reach those heights.
There was the game out in Tallaght were despite dominating for large periods, they came out with a defeat but the talk was this was a serious footballing side.
A side that included Fabrice Hartmann and, until his departure, Max Mata had showed promise but it was ultimately a campaign that fell flat on its feet.
John Russell is not shy in talking about the frustration that he felt but with some changes in the squad confirmed and some star names retained there is already a much more positive feeling around The Showgrounds.
The names that are kept include Fabrice Hartmann, Niall Morahan, Will Fitzgerald, Stefan Radosavljevic, Nando Pijnaker and Kailin Barlow. - all firm fan favourites from their time in red so far.
Adding to the ranks, Russell has brought in some new blood from the UK in Ellis Chapman, Charlie Wiggett and Oliver Denham.
Chapman has impressed in pre-season and Wiggett arrives with a firm pedigree behind him including at Newcastle United.
A new signing, but a familiar face, in Ed McGinty has gotten Bit O’Red fans excited as what proved to be a problem position at times last year is now considered reslolved.
There’s been also some impressive names from the League coming in too - Simon Power arrives from Shamrock Rovers while Connor Malley has swapped Dundalk for the west and JR Wilson comes in from Shelbourne.
Striker Wilson Waweru also comes in from his time at Cobh Ramblers and there seems to be murmurings of the arrival of another familiar face ahead of the start of the season..
Time will tell on that signing but from the outset John Russell seems to have blended some new faces with talent along with the tried and trusted in the Sligo Rovers colours and they can begin to look to improve on last year’s tame showing.
Finish last season - 8th
Manager - John Russell
Key player - Simon Power
