The Times Are Not A-Changin’

by Brian Kennedy

(first published in the September 2009 St Patrick’s Athletic FAI Cup programme)

Looking back on the history of our game, and the problems that have been associated with it, it’s hardly surprising to see how many clubs have actually gone bust since the start of the Free State League. From Frankfort FC in 1922 to the demise of our near neighbours Kilkenny City in 2007, there have been a staggering 41 clubs that have resigned, gone bust or not fulfilled their fixtures since the inception of the League of Ireland. A couple of these have of course included us. In 1941 we were forced to resign from the league after a well documented sacking of seven Waterford players for demanding a bonus payment for a title deciding game against Cork which never took place. The title went to Cork and we dropped out of the League for five years. Beneath is a history of the clubs that have gone bust and when.
 
1922 – Frankfort FC & YMCA FC were not re-elected to the League for the 1922/23 season.

1923 – Rathmines Athletic FC resigned from the League. Dublin United FC & Olympia FC were not re-elected to the League for the 1923/24 season.

1924 – Midland Athletic were not re-elected to the League for the 1924/25 season.

1925 – Shelbourne FC withdrew from the League the day it started. Brooklyn FC were not re-elected to the League for the 1925/26 season.

1926 – Dublin Pioneers were not re-elected to the League for the 1926/27 season.

1928 – Athlone Town FC were not re-elected to the League for the 1927/28 season.

1930 – Fordsons FC changed name to Cork FC.

1932 – Brideville FC & Jacobs AFC were not re-elected to the League for the 1932/33 season. Waterford AFC resigned from the League.

1934 – Shelbourne FC & Cork Bohemians FC were not re-elected to the League for the 1934/35 season.

1936 – Reds United FC resigned from the League and disbanded.

1937 – Dolphin FC resigned from the League.

1938 – Cork FC changed name to Cork City FC.

1940 – Cork City FC dissolved during season & Cork United FC formed immediately and took its results. Sligo Rovers FC resigned from the League.

1941 – Waterford AFC resigned from the League.

1943 – Bray Unknowns FC & Brideville FC were not re-elected to the League for the 1943/44 season.

1944 – St James’ Gate AFC were not re-elected to the League for the 1944/45 season.

1945 – Brideville FC were not re-elected to the League for the 1945/46 season.

1948 – Cork United FC resigned from the League and disbanded at the start of the 1948/49 season and were replaced by Cork Athletic FC.

1951 – Transport FC moved to Dublin from Bray.

1957 – Cork Athletic FC resigned from the League and disbanded.

1959 – Evergreen FC changed name to Cork Celtic FC.

1972 – Drumcondra AFC merged into Home Farm FC and changed name to Home Farm-Drumcondra AFC.

1974 – Home Farm-Drumcondra AFC changed name to Home Farm FC.

1975 – Drogheda FC changed name to Drogheda United FC.

1976 – Cork Hibernians FC resigned from the League and disbanded.

1977 – Albert Rovers FC changed name to Cork Albert FC. Few months later, changed name to Cork Alberts FC.

1979 – Cork Celtic FC resigned from the League and disbanded. Cork Alberts FC changed name to Cork United FC. Limerick AFC changed name to Limerick United FC.

1982 – Waterford AFC changed name to Waterford United FC. Cork United FC were expelled from League and dissolved. Thurles Town FC resigned from the League.

1983 – Members of Limerick United FC broke away and formed a new team, Limerick City FC. The issue went to court and decided that Limerick City FC were to be elected and Limerick United FC wound up and dissolved.

1986 – Newcastle United FC changed name to Newcastlewest FC.

1989 – EMFA FC changed name to Kilkenny City AFC.

1990 – Newcastlewest FC resigned from the League.

1992 – Limerick City FC changed name to Limerick FC.

1996 – Home Farm FC changed name to Home Farm-Everton FC.

1997 – St James’ Gate AFC were expelled from the League.

1999 – Home Farm-Everton FC changed name to Home Farm-Fingal FC.

2000 – St Francis FC changed name to Fingal-St Francis FC.

2001 – Home Farm-Fingal FC changed name to Dublin City FC.

2002 – Fingal-St Francis FC resigned from the League.

2006 – Dublin City FC resigned from the League in July. Limerick FC were not re-elected to the League for the 2007 season.

2007 – Kilkenny City AFC resigned from the League.