Shelbourne FC has today announced lifelong supporter Darren Cleary as it’s new Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) at the Club.
Darren is a lifelong Shelbourne fan and an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, the Dubliner would be well known to Reds supporters for his media work with the club. Cleary hosts The 1895 Podcast and Post Match show, as well as serving as club commentator for LOITV broadcasts alongside Steven Doody.
As part of his role, Darren will be responsible for acting as a key conduit between the Club and its supporters and will focus on the following key tasks during his tenure:
- To serve as a bridge between the club and supporters, while providing a two-way flow of information on key issues. The SLO will proactively engage with the fanbase on matters of strategic importance to both Shelbourne Football club and its supporters.
- The SLO will oversee and examine new structural ways of bringing further fan representation within the Club
- Gather feedback and suggestions regarding strategy around improvement of the match day experience at Tolka Park
- Play an active role in helping to advocate fan opinions and considerations in the development of club policy and processes.
Cleary currently works in media, leading podcast strategy and development across the Bauer Media Ireland group as managing editor, digital audio.
Darren has extensive experience in sports, events, communications and content. Prior to joining Bauer Media. He served as Global Director of Sport at Web Summit, the largest business, technology, and sports conference in the world. Cleary led the sports programming at events in Europe, Asia, and America. The Dublin 1 native also chaired the selection committee for the prestigious Web Summit Innovation In Sport Award, the international mark of excellence in the sports business community.
An award-winning journalist and broadcaster, prior to joining Web Summit, Cleary has also worked with Off The Ball, Ireland’s leading independent sports broadcaster. During his time there he was named Sports Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO National Irish Radio Awards in 2018. Prior to joining Off The Ball, Cleary worked as a broadcast journalist with eir Sport, RTÉ, 98FM, Today FM, Newstalk, and FM104.
The Club would like to thank outgoing SLO Lee Daly for his support in the role previously.
Shelbourne FC Supporter Liaison Officer Darren Cleary said: “I’m delighted to be appointed Supporter Liaison Officer by Shelbourne FC. As a Shelbourne supporter, above all else, I understand how critical it is to enhance and strengthen the connection between the club and our fanbase. Shels fans are the heart and soul of this football club, it’s vital that honest, constructive and consistent lines of communication between supporters and the club exist. I would like to sincerely thank the board of Shelbourne FC for the opportunity.”
For more information:
Gavin White
Head of Communications and Media
Shelbourne FC
About Shelbourne FC
Founded in 1895, Shelbourne Football Club is a leading professional football club based in North Dublin. Shels, as the club is commonly referred to, has won 13 League of Ireland titles along with 10 National Cups, two Women’s National League and one FAI Women’s Cup. The Tolka Park side compete in both the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division and FAI Women’s National League and has a thriving Academy based at the Athletic Union League in North Dublin with over 400 boys and girls.
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