It may not be at the same level as the owners of major European clubs but the influence of Irish soccer sponsor Volkswagen’s boss, Simon Elliot, has played a major part in the Airtricity League this season.
Volkswagen, through their local dealership Connolly’s in the north west sponsor Sligo Rovers and Elliot’s connections to Scunthorpe United were credited as being of importance in the appointment there of Ian Barraclough which has been such a success.
The arrival of Brian Laws as Director of Football at Shamrock Rovers also has an Elliot connection.  Volkswagen’s SEAT brand emblazons the famous hooped jerseys and another Scunthorpe influence was confirmed yesterday when Laws said that the two were good friends.
Rovers will be looking to put a gloss on a disappointing season by winning the EA Sports Cup Final on their home ground this weekend.  They face Drogheda United in the final.  It was a good day for the future of the tournament, and possibly the rest of Irish soccer as EA Sports, less than a year after employing 400 staff in Galway, announced the creation of an additional 300 jobs in the City.
Last night’s opening round of fixtures in the UEFA Champions’ League produced a stunner in Madrid and real early life into a tournament that rarely sparkles until the knock out stages but which needed a lift to counter an ennui around professional soccer in Britain following the success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Everything changes and nothing changes.
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