“Fans make memories that last a lifetime. Players come and go, that’s football, but the biggest fans, who are often the volunteers, will always love and support their club with pride and honour. That’s what it’s all about.”
As Treaty United prepare for another matchday at the Markets Field, the stadium hums with anticipation. Limerick’s loyal supporters are wrapped in scarves, clutching burgers and cups of tea, and eagerly settle into their seats. In the dressing room, players pull on their freshly laundered kits, ready for the challenge ahead. Around the stadium, final touches are made, corner flags planted, floodlights flickering on with a low hum.
Yet, behind the scenes, often unnoticed by the cheering crowd, is a dedicated team of volunteers who make it all possible. They are the unseen heartbeat of Treaty United, ensuring each matchday is a success and a welcoming environment for all. These individuals give their time, expertise, and unwavering passion without seeking recognition. Yet, without them, there would be no club, no match days, and no future for Limerick’s footballing revival.
Treaty United rose from the ashes of Limerick FC’s collapse in 2020, reigniting the city’s footballing spirit. While many larger clubs boast full-time staff, Treaty relies on the dedication of volunteers. Whether it’s pitch maintenance, merchandising, cleaning, or managing social media, these volunteers are the lifeblood that keeps the club thriving. Without their passion, the matchdays and the future of football in Limerick would look very different.
Stephen Taylor, one of the most committed volunteers, epitomizes this spirit. Originally from Blackburn, he moved to Ireland in 2000 and quickly immersed himself in the world of Irish football.
“My main reason for being involved in League of Ireland football now is the social aspect. I’ve always been a blow-in, and getting involved in football has always been the best way for me to settle into a new country. It’s about making friends and being part of a community,” he explains.
One of Taylor’s lasting contributions is the halftime scramble. These fast-paced 12-minute small-sided games have become a beloved fixture at every home match.
“It keeps kids wanting to come back. We need to build that fan base, and these kids could be supporting Treaty into their seventies or eighties.”
For Stephen, it’s not just about the game. What truly drives him is the friendships formed along the way: “Friendship. I’ve moved around a lot, and football has always helped me settle. I’ve made great friends through it, and that makes all the effort worth it.”
Another integral volunteer is Anne Marie Kavanagh, who manages the merchandise and tuck shops at matches: “I arrive about three hours before kick-off, and we usually don’t leave until around half ten or eleven,” she explains.
“Fans don’t realise the amount of work that goes into setting everything up. They see a fully stocked shop but don’t think about the work required to take it all down and store it after each match. Before the next match, it all must be set up again. Plus, there are things like cleaning toilets and making sure there’s enough toilet paper for the next game.”
Yet, her journey into volunteering was unexpected.
“I was never a huge soccer fan. I’d sit at matches wrapped in blankets, with hot water bottles, half on my phone,” she admits. But after her daughter Aoife expressed interest in volunteering, Anne Marie got involved. “I started to enjoy the atmosphere, meet new people, and realised I really liked soccer. It kind of just happened.”
Balancing work and volunteering can be challenging, but she makes it work.
“I’m lucky I work nine to five, Monday to Friday, and can leave early or take a day off for big matches. Some weeks are tough, but it’s getting easier.”
For Anne Marie, the most rewarding part is watching kids develop a love for the game.
“It’s fulfilling to see their joy and know they’re growing into future fans of football. That’s what makes it all worth it,” she says. “Fans don’t see the hours of work behind the scenes. Volunteers put in so much effort to create a great experience for them.”
The dedication of Treaty’s volunteers doesn’t go unnoticed by the players, many of whom juggle their football careers alongside jobs or academic commitments. Lee J. Lynch, a fan favourite in Limerick and a key midfielder for Treaty United, deeply appreciates their efforts.
“With Treaty, there are so many volunteers involved, and it’s very much community based. They do everything from keeping the ground clean to getting it ready for game day for fans, families, and us as players,” he says.
Being from Limerick, Lynch knows many of the volunteers personally and firmly believes they are the heart and soul of Treaty United.
“They’re not getting paid, they’re doing it for the passion and love of their hometown club, and that really goes a long way. Their reward is knowing that if we do well on the pitch, succeed, and get back to the Premier Division, they’ll experience amazing nights with us. They’ll be able to say they were there from the very start.”
Having played as a full time professional, Lynch acknowledges the difficulties many players face when balancing football with other commitments.
“Honestly, it’s extremely hard. I wouldn’t have been used to it at all. I’ve been lucky enough to be a full time professional my whole career, and I still class myself as that. But with where the club is financially and what they’re looking to do, it’s difficult.”
However, he acknowledges that the volunteers help bridge the gap for the players, and their sacrifices and dedication raise everyone’s standards.
“Seeing that level of commitment from everyone really raises our standards. We want to be consistent and do well for each other because we’re all making sacrifices.”
“Fans make memories that last a lifetime. Players come and go, that’s football, but the biggest fans, who are often the volunteers, will always love and support their club with pride and honour. That’s what it’s all about.”
As the League of Ireland continues to grow in popularity, Treaty United’s story offers a rare, local insight into the true heartbeat of Irish football. It’s easy to focus on the big stories, the transfer rumours, star players, and league standings, but the voices that matter the most often go unheard.
In today’s game, it’s not just about football. It’s about the people who keep the community alive and, by extension, Irish football itself. These are the individuals who sacrifice their time, energy, and often financial stability to ensure the club survives and thrives.
Without them, there would be no scarves draped around necks, no burgers or cups of tea to hold, no freshly laundered kits, no corner flags, and no flood lights flickering to life.
Without them, there is no matchday, there is no football, there is no Treaty United.