That is the 2nd interview by Alan Mathews that I have been impressed by; the other being a few years back when he was on the radio Eireann Sunday sport programme during pre-season when he questioned the purpose/value of the PFAI trip to Scandanavia. While others are able to give out about an issue, Mathews always tries to put forward a realistic solution. Here he makes the point that clubs must have an income stream that basically covers their total expense for the year, forget about gate receipts/look on them as a bonus. Operate like GAA clubs in other words. I recall Roddy Forsythe explaining on another radio discussion how clubs outside the top tier in Scotland manage to get by, by being a social club(bar facilities etc) with a soccer team attached.
It is possible to do this, as Mathews pointed out by being rooted in the community. Looking from outside it seems that Cabinteely as doing this; they had a big fundraiser recently where use was made of their Chairman's business connections.
ps I was at Tolka a few years back where Mathews got a fair bit of abuse from Shels's fans at a game v Drogheda and he resigned not long afterwards. Good to see him involved in the league.
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