Reds United F.C.

In early 1934, Shelbourne were fined by the Football Association of Ireland for allegedly poaching players from nearby clubs. When Shelbourne refused to pay the fine they were threatened with suspension. In March 1934 Shelbourne informed the FAI by letter that they had applied for membership of the Irish Football Association. They also withdrew from the League of Ireland Shield. At the time the relationship between the two rival Irish national associations was at an all-time low. In June 1934 the FAI responded by suspending Shelbourne for one year. They also banned members of the club's management committee from managing any other club affiliated to the FAI. Shelbourne were banned from the League of Ireland and their place was awarded to Waterford.{{Cite book| title=Green Is The Colour: The Story of Irish Football | first=Peter | last=Byrne | year=2012 | publisher=Andre Deutsch }}

With Shelbourne now suspended from any footballing activity a number of former Shelbourne members and players based in Ringsend got together, formed a new club, Reds United and successfully applied to join the Leinster Senior League. In 1934–35, with a team that included John Joe Flood, Reds United finished as Leinster Senior League champions and, together with Brideville, were subsequently elected to the 1935–36 League of Ireland. Reds United also competed in the 1934–35 FAI Cup. In the first round they drew 3–3 with Bohemians but lost the replay 4–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iercuphistfull.html|title=Ireland - FA of Ireland Cup 1921/22-1993/94|website=Rsssf.com|access-date=3 July 2018}}

Reds United made their League of Ireland debut with a 2–0 win at The Mardyke against Cork.{{cite web|url=http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/cultureincork/sportincork/soccer/jimmyturnbull/|title=Jimmy Turnbull - Cork Past & Present|website=Corkpastandpresent.ie|access-date=3 July 2018}} With a team that included Willie Ouchterlonie and Tommy "Netler" Doyle, an ex-Shamrock Rovers player, they finished the 1935–36 season in a respectable fourth place, behind Bohemians, Dolphin and Cork. Reds United were also quarter-finalists in the 1935–36 FAI Cup. At the end of the 1935–36 season, however, they resigned their place in the league to make way for a returning Shelbourne. Having completed their one-year ban Shelbourne, had spent the 1935–36 season playing in the Athletic Union League. With the support of Shamrock Rovers, they had also managed to successfully appeal their ban from the League of Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-shels-connection.html|title=The Shels Connection|date=26 December 2013|website=Nifootball.blogspot.com|access-date=3 July 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/ierhist.html|title=(Republic of) Ireland League Tables|website=Rsssf.com|access-date=3 July 2018}}{{cite book|last=Paul Doolan|first=Robert Goggins|title=The Hoops|publisher=Gill & MacmillanLtd|year=1993|isbn=0-7171-2121-6}}

{{cite book|last=Graham|first=Alex|title=Football in the Republic of Ireland: A Statistical Record 1921-2005|date=26 March 2024 |publisher=Soccer Books Limited|isbn=978-1-86223-135-1}}

There is some evidence to suggest that after leaving the League of Ireland, Reds United may have continued to function as a junior club in some capacity. Two Shamrock Rovers players active in the mid-1940s, Tommy Godwin{{cite book|last=McGarrigle|first=Stephen|title=The Complete Who's Who of Irish International Football, 1945–96 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing|year=1996}} and Ossie Nash played junior football with a Reds United.

Reds United played their home League of Ireland games at Glenmalure Park, the home of Shamrock Rovers. However they played their home games against Rovers at Dalymount Park.

• Leinster Senior League: 1
• 1935-36

The following Reds United players represented Ireland at full international level.

• {{Flagicon|Ireland}} John Joe Flood
• {{Flagicon|Ireland}} Tommy Godwin

• {{Flagicon|Scotland}} Willie Ouchterlonie (20) – the third highest scorer in the 1935–36 League of Ireland

{{Reflist}}

{{League of Ireland clubs}}

{{Shelbourne F.C.}}

Category:Shelbourne F.C.

Category:Association football clubs in Dublin (city)

Category:Association football clubs established in 1934

Category:Association football clubs disestablished in the 1940s

Category:Defunct League of Ireland clubs

Category:Former Leinster Senior League clubs

Category:1934 establishments in Ireland

Category:1940s disestablishments in Ireland