How will the Seagulls do this year? Here's our preview.
Bray Wanderers
Colours: Home - Green and white stripes Away - Blue and yellow stripes
Home: Carlisle Grounds
Manager: Alan Mathews
Nickname: The Seagulls
2014 odds: 300/1
Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray is never an easy fixture for any club in the Airtricity Premier Divison. Regardless of their position in the table, they always give teams a big run for their money on their home patch. Situated by the seaside where the wind can be a factor due to it's exposed location, the Carlisle Grounds has become a big weapon in their struggle to avoid relegation each season. It's their home form which keeps them afloat.
Big changes this season with former Shels manager, Alan Mathews taking over the reins from Bray legend, Pat Devlin. Devlin, who had managed the club on and off since 1986 departed the club in acrimonious circumstances and Mathews has arrived at a club divided in it's opinion about his appointment. There will be fans loyal to Devlin and Mathew's first real battle will be to convince them that he has the necessary nous to bring Bray forward as a club. Mathews had a disappointing season managing Shelbourne last season culminating in their relegation to the First Division, but it should not be forgotten that he has enjoyed real success with smaller clubs, notably his spell as manager of Longford Town. He became the most successful manager in their history winning back to back FAI Cups in 2003 and 2004. They also won the League Cup in 2004. In 2008 he took over the reins as manager of Cork City and despite the club being in examinership, they won the Setanta Cup
Mathews will need all his knowledge and experience to help Bray avoid another season of struggle. His appointment, controversial as it was, given the departure of Devlin, could prove to be a shrewd move by the Bray board
Players in: Ciaran Byrne, David Cassidy, Jake Kelly, Robert Maloney, Gary Curran, Shane Redmond, Shane O'Neill, Niall Cooney, Graham Kelly
Did You Know?: In 1990 Bray beat St Francis in the FAI Cup Final 3-0, becoming the first every First Division club to win the trophy
Hopes: Bray will always view avoiding relegation as an achievement and this season will be no different
Player To Watch: Jake Kelly
If they were a big European club: Real Zaragoza. Constantly battling against relegation and then, if they do get relegated, almost always promoted back the following season
