Which towns could use LOI teams?

**peadar1987** · 31/07/2009, 9:56 PM

I recently spent three weeks in Mullingar, and found it strange how such a large town hasn't got a team in the LOI.

I know Castlebar, Tralee and Carlow have recently added teams to the LOI structure, are there any other towns out there that are big enough to support teams but don't, and what's the best way to set up a sustainable club from scratch?

My inclination would be to start off small, for Mullingar for example, I'd set up a site within walking distance of the town centre, with room for expansion, rent a bulldozer or JCB and build up a bank along one side of the pitch for spectators, seed that with grass, then get a local authority grant for a bar. For the first few seasons, have a strictly amateur setup, and every season, make a huge deal around the town about trials for next season. In fact, just make a huge deal around the town about the club in general, have DJs announce it in clubs on Friday night if the team won, put up posters in shops every week etc. Don't even think about paying players until the club is getting decent attendances. The most important thing is that the people of the town believe that the club is "their thing" from the start. That's how the GAA fill their stadia every weekend during the summer.

**Hairy Bowsie** · 31/07/2009, 9:59 PM

Good luck with that

**Black and White** · 31/07/2009, 10:06 PM

Dont start but Kilkenny!! Then theres room for a team from Navan?maybe Portlaoise? Tipp need a team back too!

**Boh_So_Good** · 31/07/2009, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Black and White

Dont start but Kilkenny!! Then theres room for a team from Navan?maybe Portlaoise? Tipp need a team back too!

Castlebar would be a real possibility.

**Black and White** · 31/07/2009, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Boh_So_Good

Castlebar would be a real possibility.

Castlebar have a team in the A league, just going by who dont have a team in the senior leagues

**dcfcsteve** · 31/07/2009, 10:35 PM

Cork could do with a team....

**De Town** · 31/07/2009, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Hairy Bowsie

Good luck with that

This made me laugh out loud!

Some people are so deluded.

**Dunny** · 31/07/2009, 10:39 PM

Bray are hardly doing great, look after your own club for now.

**dcfcsteve** · 31/07/2009, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

I recently spent three weeks in Mullingar, and found it strange how such a large town hasn't got a team in the LOI.

I know Castlebar, Tralee and Carlow have recently added teams to the LOI structure, are there any other towns out there that are big enough to support teams but don't, and what's the best way to set up a sustainable club from scratch?

My inclination would be to start off small, for Mullingar for example, I'd set up a site within walking distance of the town centre, with room for expansion, rent a bulldozer or JCB and build up a bank along one side of the pitch for spectators, seed that with grass, then get a local authority grant for a bar. For the first few seasons, have a strictly amateur setup, and every season, make a huge deal around the town about trials for next season. In fact, just make a huge deal around the town about the club in general, have DJs announce it in clubs on Friday night if the team won, put up posters in shops every week etc. Don't even think about paying players until the club is getting decent attendances. The most important thing is that the people of the town believe that the club is "their thing" from the start. That's how the GAA fill their stadia every weekend during the summer.

Here's an even crazier idea.

How about the league and FAI spend more time worrying about making the teams we already have in the structure more appealing, and stop them being in finacial trouble every other week....?

We can't even get long-standing teams in areas with a history of LOI football working, so why the hell would new clubs in towns with no history be any more appealing ? Have Kildare or Wexford set the Irish sporting world alight ?

Once that's done, then we could lok at crazy plans for expanding football into places that have never had it before.

**2legged tackle** · 01/08/2009, 1:02 AM

What about this for a crazy idea?
You all know how that hotel which hosted Real Madrid went out of their way with investment ,best practice etc.What if the government,in these days of unemployment decided to introduce a new industry into Ireland.This industry could create jobs at admin,advertising and player level.Would bring in many tourists in winter or summer,put Ireland back on the tourist map and give RTE and other Irish tv stations something to do,and attract self financing advertising revenue?Would the government be willing to grant aid this industry to the same extent they did overseas manufacturing investors?

THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE

INVEST IN IRISH FOOTBALL?

PS How about a team from Shannon to add to your list

**Straightstory** · 01/08/2009, 5:36 AM

Things are miserable enough for fans of LOI clubs without having to go to Mullingar twice a season.

**bennocelt** · 01/08/2009, 7:25 AM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

Things are miserable enough for fans of LOI clubs without having to go to Mullingar twice a season.

ha ha thats true. Mullingar has two clubs - Athletic and Town - both HATE each other, and have on occasion robbed each others players. The town itself has a good support for football, with Town been the proper Mullingar team situated in the heart of the town and Athletic on the outskirts and for the children of cops and the like!

In fact Town is situated in dalton park, a very rough part of the town (you tube it!! -Mullingar/dalton park riots!), and would be interesting if Sham/Bohs fans came down here for a visit!!!

Athletic have great facilties but is run like a personal-family fiefdom and many a quality player has had his football career ruined by the club (which is a bloody disgrace)
Town had all those London players a while back in the under21 set up, and crowds were good at the start and there was a def buzz around the town, but it kind of all fizzled out in the end - ie a lot of the players enjoyed themselves too much out on a sat night!

**Buile Shuibhne** · 01/08/2009, 8:11 AM

You want Franchise Football ?

**John83** · 01/08/2009, 11:59 AM

While I think the thinking behind this thread is a bit wobbly, here at least is something to add a little substance to the debate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._by_population

**Rovers1** · 01/08/2009, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

Which town could use LOI teams?.

Ballinacarrow.

**don ramo** · 01/08/2009, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

Cork could do with a team....

cork county have 2 at the moment

A league is still LOI football#

its true whats said, make the current ones sucessfull before you go adding teams

**Dunny** · 01/08/2009, 12:20 PM

Muff

**Hairy Bowsie** · 01/08/2009, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Dunny

Muff

Agreed and when that new foriegn striker they buy goes over too easy for a peno, we'll all be able to call him a "Muff Diver"!!!

**Hairy Bowsie** · 01/08/2009, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Red&White Rover

Or diver could be good too.

Ha i meant to say that. Edited now

**Weatherman** · 01/08/2009, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Dunny

Bray are hardly doing great, look after your own club for now.

What you mean by that?? Bray's league position might not be the best but over recent years they have done much better then you's! where dundalk not stuck in the 1st division for years up untill when?? Last year???