Sligo Rovers F.C. - History - Moving Between Divisions 1986-1993

Moving Between Divisions 1986-1993

For the 1985-86 season the league expanded to incorporate a First Division aw well as the Premier. This meant the bottom four sides would be relegated. By this stage most of the Cup winning side had moved on and manager Paul Fielding had been replaced by Gerry Mitchell, with financial difficulties forcing the club into having a part-time squad. Despite Rovers coming from three down on the final day of the season to draw 3-3 with Drogheda it wasn't enough and Rovers were relegated on goal difference. Rovers managed to bounce straight back the following year with Gerry Mitchell still in charge and much of the previous season's squad still there they finished runners-up behind Bray Wanderers which was enough to secure their way back to the Premier Division. It was at the end of this season that an Extraordinary General Meeting was held where the decision was made to structure the club as a Co-op and that structure is still in existence today. Back in the Premier, Rovers managed to stay up and also had a run to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup where they were defeated by Shamrock Rovers. The next season was a poor one with Rovers finishing bottom and never looking capable of survival which meant a return to First Division football for the 1988–89 season. Things were to get even worse the following year with David Pugh replacing Mitchell as manager and an all local policy the club finished bottom of the First Division in what is still their worst ever finish.

Things were to improve dramatically the following year under new manager Dermot Keely, who was able to bring in some experienced players from Dublin. A 1-1 draw with Kilkenny City on the final day was enough to secure promotion back to the top flight. Although beaten by Waterford United in a play-off for the title the club were back in the Premier Division for the 1990-91 season. After finishing in a respectable mid-table position upon their return Rovers were back fighting relegation the following year, although they did survive courtesy of loanee Colin Cameron (footballer)'s hat-trick on the final day of the season in Drogheda. Keely resigned after the first three games of the following season which led to Rovers appointing Willie McStay as manager but he couldn't keep them up and Rovers returned to the First Division for the 1993-94 season.