Updated – February 25th at 11pm

Earlier today, the club requested feedback from supporters with regard to the creation of an officially designated singing section at Turner’s Cross. We regret that this communication wasn’t clear on some areas.

The club is committed to working with and for our supporters to create the best possible match-day atmosphere at Turner’s Cross. We seek to positively engage with and support all efforts made to make improvements, and the proposal outlined came on the back of a request from Commandos 84 (C84) to assist them in their efforts to further improve the already excellent atmosphere at the Shed End of the stadium.

The Commandos 84 group are a group of loyal and committed Cork City FC supporters who produce flags, including TIFO flags, banners and drums at their own expense and time, in co-operation with the club. They have done so for many years and are famous in Cork and across the league for creating the best atmosphere in any league of Ireland ground. They also lead on the singing and chanting synonymous with the Shed End.

In recent seasons, the club has been made aware of issues with people in Section T disrupting efforts by the Commandos 84 group and others to create an atmosphere. They are concerned that their efforts to continue, and grow the atmosphere, that within 2-3 seasons, there is a strong likelihood that the famous Shed End atmosphere will no longer continue. In their own words, ‘If the trend continues the atmosphere at Turners Cross will be non-existent soon. A designated singing section is the best way to overcome the challenges.’

The Commandos 84 (C84) group officially requested to meet the club recently with a proposal entitled ‘Shed End Singing Section’, and wished for it to be approved. The meeting took place on 8th February 2018. Within this, they proposed a membership only section for Section T of The Joe Delaney Stand (Shed End) and a membership fee. They also proposed to do a consultation process, to which the club decided that it must be put to consultation of all fans before any decision was recommended. As part of the Commandos 84 official proposal, there would be a charge of €10 to cover running costs of the proposed membership area (including a membership card and scarf). To ensure this was a controlled membership area, the club calculated that the additional staffing and administration costs, looking at the estimated number of fans who would join (the original estimate in the written proposal was much higher than the reality when discussed), meant that a figure of approximately €25 was needed to cover these costs (the written proposal didn’t have access to accurate security staffing and administration costs). For this proposal to be approved, and put into practice, as brought to the club by the Commandos 84 group, at these figures, it would more than likely be at a cost to the club. However, the club have proposed that if there was a surplus it would be donated to charity.

Both the club, and the Commandos 84 group, are committed to making the match night atmosphere in Turner’s Cross the best it can be, and this proposal is there to achieve that and has no other motive.

The club values greatly the support we receive from all sections of the stadium and the opinion of our supporters, which is why this was published as a proposal with a request for feedback from supporters.

We wish to reassure supporters that all feedback will be fully taken on board and that no decision has been made regarding a designated singing section.

Released on February 25th at 6pm

Cork City FC is exploring the possibility of creating a designated Singing Section in Block T (known as Block 2) of the Joe Delaney (Curragh Road) Stand. As the club continues to grow on and off the pitch, and in our aims to be at the forefront in Irish football on all matters, we want to create an area dedicated to the club’s vocal supporters, further enhancing the overall match atmosphere for all fans and the players. The section occupies the part of the ground where the famous Shed once stood. Many of the CCFC’s vocal fans have continued to congregate in this part of the ground on since the Curragh Road Stand was opened in 2007.

Turner’s Cross has always been regarded as a tough place for opposing teams to visit due to the atmosphere created by Cork City supporters. We want to build on the commitment our supporters have given the team over the years and ensure that the best possible atmosphere is created in Turner’s Cross for the present and future. Several European clubs have introduced similar singing sections, to great success.

Access to Section T would be restricted to members. There would be a membership signing process, with a membership fee in the region of €25-€30 for the season. This will cover increased security staffing and administration costs. If there were surpluses from the operations, they would be donated to charity. Membership would be open to all City supporters, with age restriction (e.g. 16 or 18 years). While some supporters may be inconvenienced by the plan, we want to accommodate as many people as possible as the plan is implemented. All other sections of the Curragh Road Stand will remain unreserved. If Section T was not full in membership, and there was a possibility of unused seats needing to be used for ticketing purposes (i.e. sell-out fixture), then these seats would be available, while still retaining the membership singing section.

At this stage, we are looking for views and consultation up until Sunday 4th March, from fans. You can do so by e-mailing singingsection@corkcityfc.ie.