Compensation, Right or Wrong?

**A face** · 01/05/2005, 9:11 PM

Compensation, Right or Wrong?

The recent FAI announcement that more than €1 million of Training Compensation has been received by Irish schoolboy clubs from English Professional clubs highlights an increasing dilemma facing young Irish players and their schoolboy clubs.

FAI career guidance officer Eoin Hand is to be commended on his diligence and his continued education of the schoolboy clubs on their entitlement under the FIFA regulations regarding Training Compensation. However the question must be asked, is the Training Compensation fee restricting the career opportunities of young Irish footballers within the European Union?

Read more at www.pfai.ie

**CollegeTillIDie** · 01/05/2005, 10:08 PM

How exactly?
Isn't this is an EU wide provision?
So therefore Irish schoolboys are not at a competitive disadvantage with those of the EU and perhaps even EEA member states?
Isn't it better to keep young talent at home and only allow them to leave at 18 when they stand a better chance of making the grade? Besides why should Irish schoolboy clubs be left without any compensation for developing the players in the first instance?

In fact as Pat Dolan says " it would be better to keep them here and build a homegrown football industry"

**A face** · 01/05/2005, 11:47 PM

It bodes well for the league alright but in fairness, it is madness to witness the rate of young lads going over to England the way they were. Alot of them didn't even have an InterCert and were literally left with nothing if they lost their way in their footballing career (change of manger etc.)

Since were hear very little about this, i mean, i dont know if that is a good or a bad thing, but is Eoin Hand doing a good job ... Has there been a change in policy over the years (how long is he is that position now ?) ..... it could be very wrong of me to thinking, is it just another job for the boys, fill a position behind the green door kinda thing or is he making a difference to try and curb the flow of talent out of the country or at the very least try and ensure that conditions for the youth if the do leave is Okay for them to progress in.

We rarely hear anything from Eoin Hand ?? Is he pro-active in what he does or not ??

**Poor Student** · 02/05/2005, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by A face

It bodes well for the league alright but in fairness, it is madness to witness the rate of young lads going over to England the way they were. Alot of them didn't even have an InterCert and were literally left with nothing if they lost their way in their footballing career (change of manger etc.)

Since were hear very little about this, i mean, i dont know if that is a good or a bad thing, but is Eoin Hand doing a good job ... Has there been a change in policy over the years (how long is he is that position now ?) ..... it could be very wrong of me to thinking, is it just another job for the boys, fill a position behind the green door kinda thing or is he making a difference to try and curb the flow of talent out of the country or at the very least try and ensure that conditions for the youth if the do leave is Okay for them to progress in.

We rarely hear anything from Eoin Hand ?? Is he pro-active in what he does or not ??

I've seen interviews with him before and he seems geniunely concerned and pro-active in this area.

**pete** · 02/05/2005, 1:30 PM

Irish kids are no disadvantage over other euorpeans.

The days of 15-16 year olds going to lower division english clubs definitely seems to drying up as smaller clubs in england cut back the size of their squads. Theres nothing wrong with irish kids going to big club but just sad when the eL can't offer better alternative than league one or two clubs.

eL clubs are also now supposed to giving compensation which means greater importance on youth structures - should there be an u-16 nationwide league?

**bigmac** · 03/05/2005, 11:57 AM

To be fair to the kids, it's hard to be a 16 year old and say "no thanks mr Ferguson/Wenger/whoever. I'd rather stay and do my leaving Cert instead of play football with you".

IMO the parents have a big responsibility to give their kids the right advice, but again it's tough for parents who might think that if they don't let their kid go they might not get another chance. This is where the FAI people should step in to guide the families and make sure that what's done is right for the player concerned.

A good role model for aspiring players is John O'Shea. He had clubs knocking on his door for 3 or 4 years but stayed in Waterford, did his Leaving Cert and then moved over. At that age as well it's when all your friends are heading off to college or work and it's easier to leave home than it is age 15 or so.

**pete** · 03/05/2005, 12:04 PM

Cork Citys Kevin Doyle had a lot of trial offers when he was in his teens. Was his personal decision to stay at home given the odds of success. He is the only u-21 international not to have played for a foreign club, is a fulltime professional & one of best players in the country & still only 21.

Last season he would have played throughout europe with club & country instead of some crappy regional reserve league in the UK.

The would make role model for any advertising campaign.