EACH MEMBER OF the Sligo Rovers first team squad has donated a portion of their wages back to the club this week.

The decision was made following a meeting between first team players, which took place after last Saturday’s FAI Cup defeat to Longford Town.

The loss was Sligo’s 10th at the Showgrounds this season, the latest hiccup in what’s been a disappointing 2018 to date for the Bit O’Red.

Sligo were dumped out of the competition at the hands of the First Division side at the first hurdle, for the second year running.

The early exit also adds extra financial pressure on the club, who have just five home games scheduled between now and the end of the season.

Both the Longford game and the EA Sports Cup defeat to Derry the previous Monday were Rovers’ only home games in almost eight weeks.

It is understood the amount returned to the club by the players represents a reasonable portion of the wage bill.

Senior players Rhys McCabe, Lee Lynch and David Cawley are believed to have been behind the move. Saturday’s result has also piled on added pressure on already under-fire manager Ger Lyttle.

But McCabe, who is the club’s vice-captain, said it was the players who had to take responsibility for the Longford result.

He said: “We feel as a group we let the supporters down and the people that fund the club week to week.

Rovers face Limerick this Friday in what has become the biggest game of the year for Sligo. The Shannonsiders are in the relegation play-off spot, five points behind Rovers who have a game in hand.

McCabe has issued a rally call to his team mates ahead of the clash.

“There’s nothing we can do about last week now unfortunately,” he continued.

“All we can do is go out Friday and show that it means for us to play for the club and the gaffer and continue it for the rest of the season.”