OPINION: Historic St Mel's Park site should not be abandoned forever

Last month, Stephen Ward pulled on the green jersey at the Aviva Stadium and played his part in what is already regarded as one of Irish soccer’s greatest-ever victories.

But nine years before that famous 1-0 win over Germany, Ward was togging out in rather less glamorous surroundings in Athlone.

In April 2006, the Dubliner came to St Mel’s Park for a league cup fixture between his side, Bohemians, and Athlone Town.

Now a defender for Burnley and Ireland, Ward played in an attacking role for Bohs. He had a particularly fruitful evening in Mel’s, claiming the match ball after his hat-trick contributed to a 4-0 win for the visitors.

Ward is just one of several Irish internationals who have lined out at St Mel’s Park. Late in his career, Johnny Giles played there for Shamrock Rovers. The RTE analyst – I’m reliably informed – “barely got a kick of the ball” that day.

A young Ronnie Whelan also played there for Home Farm in the years before he made his mark at Anfield.

Clubs which visited the ground included such European luminaries as Manchester City, Everton, Standard Liège and, of course, AC Milan.

The turf on which those teams played, and where Athlone Town twice claimed the League of Ireland title, is absolutely central to the sporting history of the Midlands.

That’s why it’s particularly sad that the council-owned site where the old ground stood is now just an overgrown and anonymous patch of land, a place that serves no purpose other than as a grazing field for a few horses.

Even in its heyday, the ground would never have won any beauty contests. Anyone who went expecting modern comforts would have been disappointed.

I remember one tap in the gents toilets which was turned on at full blast, and could not be turned off, for nearly a full season. Thankfully, this was in the days before Irish Water.

What it lacked in aesthetics or frills, St Mel’s would often make up for in atmosphere and excitement. Supporters in the 'long stand’ were so close to the action that they could ruffle a winger’s hair, and there were often flashes of wit from the crowd.

After a thumping at the hands of Monaghan United on a bright summer’s evening, one Town fan asked “Why isn’t it a dark night? At least then I could hide!”

In the dying moments of a dour 0-0 draw at Mel’s, another man was heard musing: “I hope there’s a plenary indulgence out of this one!”

Not all visitors to the ground were fonts of wisdom. As one Dubliner approached St Mel’s, he told his companion that Athlone had played Inter Milan there in the 70s. When a local tried to correct him, the man remained adamant. “It was definitely Inter Milan. I know, because I was there,” he said.

While the Town’s European adventures and league-winning successes were before my time, I was fortunate to see some great games, goals and occasions at St Mel’s Park.

My Dad and I directed a young, and lost, Martin Keown towards the dressing rooms at Mel’s prior to Athlone’s friendly against Everton around 1990. Everton won that game comfortably, but in 1996 Manchester City were humbled by the Town in another friendly.

Watching Athlone defeat Shamrock Rovers 4-2 in a mid-90s thriller is a particularly happy memory, as are some of the late winners scored by Andy Myler during the (almost) promotion season of 2000/2001.

Seeing a goalkeeper – Athlone’s Gary Connaughton – score directly from a kick out is another sight I haven’t encountered anywhere other than St Mel’s Park.

Next year will bring the tenth anniversary of the last match played at the ground, a 2-2 draw with Monaghan United on November 10, 2006.

The council has done a fine job of reviving some aspects of local history in recent years, with the refurbishment of Athlone Castle, the redevelopment of the Fr Mathew Hall as an art gallery, and the naming of the John Count McCormack Square.

However, the local authority has not yet outlined a plan for the future of the St Mel’s Park site. There has been some sporadic talk of finding a use for it, but nearly a decade has passed and nothing has happened.

Surely a place of such significance locally could be redeveloped for a sporting or recreational purpose, or perhaps turned into a public park or garden?

The memories which are wrapped up in St Mel’s Park deserve better than to see their birthplace left barren and idle.