Galway, Mervue and Salthill discussion

[Acornvilla]

Mervue have had games this season when under 40 people paid in hardly enough to pay the refs what more proof do you want. Galway United is associated with Galway City & County while Mervue and salthill are 2 areas of the city.
i tatally understand what your saying but i think there is obviously scope for groth in their attendances and as i said if gufc were not there they would stand a much greater chance of success they have the propper infrastructures and in time will have better stadia facilities which they will own and have the youth set up to produce a steady stream of players?

[1882]

Do Meruve pay players?

[Patrick Dunne]

i tatally understand what your saying but i think there is obviously scope for groth in their attendances and as i said if gufc were not there they would stand a much greater chance of success they have the propper infrastructures and in time will have better stadia facilities which they will own and have the youth set up to produce a steady stream of players?

A similar argument could be made for, lets say Mayfield United, Cherry Orchard, or any other team.

If Longford Town ceased to exist, Ballymahon could in time build a stadium and become the leading club in Longford.

There should be a team from Ballymahon in the First Division, and one from Granard as well. Three teams in Longford.

[Patrick Dunne]

Do Meruve pay players?

Apparently not. Like Wexford, its a deep love of club.

[citybone]

Apparently not. Like Wexford, its a deep love of club.

And rightly so, Unless a club can get a average crowd of above 500 they prob don't have the finance to pay more than ground rent/maintenance, Ref fee's and travel expenses.
although Wexford seem to get good crowds, they could give something to the first team as they prob miss work sometimes due to games

[number16]

GUFCT - you quote as rationale - lack of support from "fans" as reason why Mervue or Salthill should stay away from the LOI. Surely the lunacy that needs to be examined is how the "leading light" that is Galway United, could end up so heavily in debt? Galway Utd have no assets, no training facilities, no under age structure, and have struggled all season to pay their bills and ended up in an ugly "scandal" around how they paid their '08 tax bill.
Surely the lunacy of the LOI has been the amounts of money paid to players - at the exclusion of development (both football and facilities).
The Galway squad this season includes 6 players who came through the ranks at Salthill - Faherty, Russell, Cooke, McBrien and Hanley. Molloy and Conneely are products of Mervue's underage structure. That's the majority of the home grown talent in Fosters squad.
The decision of either of the two clubs under scrutiny to either stay in (in Mervues case) or enter (in Salthills case) must be about providing an outlet for the undoubted stream of talent both clubs are producing.
Having watched Galway Utd stumble from crisis to crisis, maybe they think they can make a better fist of it themselves?

[Schumi]

United have a U20 team, it has been poor this season but has previously been reasonable enough.

I thought you pulled your under-20 team out of the league?

[harps1954]

I thought you pulled your under-20 team out of the league?

Pulling out is one thing, but they were kicked out. Plus I think their 'A' side finished bottom of the section, winning only one game - that was when they took a near full strength side to a game in Tullamore. Galway seemed to have focused on just their first team last year, with little or no interest taken in their other sides.

[Acornvilla]

GUFCT - you quote as rationale - lack of support from "fans" as reason why Mervue or Salthill should stay away from the LOI. Surely the lunacy that needs to be examined is how the "leading light" that is Galway United, could end up so heavily in debt? Galway Utd have no assets, no training facilities, no under age structure, and have struggled all season to pay their bills and ended up in an ugly "scandal" around how they paid their '08 tax bill.
Surely the lunacy of the LOI has been the amounts of money paid to players - at the exclusion of development (both football and facilities).
The Galway squad this season includes 6 players who came through the ranks at Salthill - Faherty, Russell, Cooke, McBrien and Hanley. Molloy and Conneely are products of Mervue's underage structure. That's the majority of the home grown talent in Fosters squad.
The decision of either of the two clubs under scrutiny to either stay in (in Mervues case) or enter (in Salthills case) must be about providing an outlet for the undoubted stream of talent both clubs are producing.
Having watched Galway Utd stumble from crisis to crisis, maybe they think they can make a better fist of it themselves?
thats pretty muh the point i was making good man

[Terry]

A lot of nonsense been spouted about without any back up.

fact is Mervue or salthill will never do as well as GUFC as long as they play under names of housing estates. I live in mervue and i wouldn't walk across the road to watch them. I would say up to 98% of gufc supporters are from outside these 2 estates and if gufc ever went under, none of them would ever support LOI football again unless the name of "galway" was used.

[Big Chief]

Crowds are the kernel of the issue.


I'm glad to see someone else has the good sense to see the importance of attracting spectators. I stand steadfastly over my comments regarding Monaghan United and the other clubs previously listed.

How can sponsors and publicity be attracted to a league if teams are getting a home support of no more than 50 spectators and little in the way of evidence to suggest genuine strides are being made towards improving the situation?

[geezer]

If nothing else this season has proved that there is only room for 1 club in Galway. Mervues crowds have been worse than even anyone could have ever predicted. I come from that area so while supportive of their efforts and whilst i acknowledge their contribution to football it has now been proven without doubt that their is no appetite from supporters for their participation in the league of ireland. Now before utd fans get on the high moral ground its also worth noticing that utds policy of the last 5 years of a "player centred club" has to be changed and this season has also proved without supporters, clubs are nothing. Supporters have to be number 1 when it comes to clubs strategy, policies etc. Players no 2 in my opinion

[gilberto_eire]

GUFCT - you quote as rationale - lack of support from "fans" as reason why Mervue or Salthill should stay away from the LOI. Surely the lunacy that needs to be examined is how the "leading light" that is Galway United, could end up so heavily in debt? Galway Utd have no assets, no training facilities, no under age structure, and have struggled all season to pay their bills and ended up in an ugly "scandal" around how they paid their '08 tax bill.

Surely the lunacy of the LOI has been the amounts of money paid to players - at the exclusion of development (both football and facilities).
The Galway squad this season includes 6 players who came through the ranks at Salthill - Faherty, Russell, Cooke, McBrien and Hanley. Molloy and Conneely are products of Mervue's underage structure. That's the majority of the home grown talent in Fosters squad.
The decision of either of the two clubs under scrutiny to either stay in (in Mervues case) or enter (in Salthills case) must be about providing an outlet for the undoubted stream of talent both clubs are producing.
Having watched Galway Utd stumble from crisis to crisis, maybe they think they can make a better fist of it themselves?


A lot of nonsense been spouted about without any back up.

fact is Mervue or salthill will never do as well as GUFC as long as they play under names of housing estates. I live in mervue and i wouldn't walk across the road to watch them. I would say up to 98% of gufc supporters are from outside these 2 estates and if gufc ever went under, none of them would ever support LOI football again unless the name of "galway" was used.

Not surprising when it's someone from Salthill Devon(a quick look through his posts showed this)

It's funny how someone from Devon can claim about producing players(not that Mervue are any better, i suppose Seamus Connelly was born and raised in the fields of Mervue :rolleyes:) when the lads are either poached from other clubs or travel in to play with the big guns(normally after a few years with their local clubs) :rolleyes:, which when they go to Galway United is the same way they ended up at Devon.

Devon and Mervue can claim set ups over GUFC all the want, fact is they will never break a few 100 at a game being clubs that aren't representative of the city and county,and will never draw sufficient support whether GUFC ever fold or not.

Stick to producing players for the big club in the county, it's easier for all parties because LOI football won't get ye anywhere

[osarusan]

I'm glad to see someone else has the good sense to see the importance of attracting spectators. I stand steadfastly over my comments regarding Monaghan United and the other clubs previously listed.

How can sponsors and publicity be attracted to a league if teams are getting a home support of no more than 50 spectators and little in the way of evidence to suggest genuine strides are being made towards improving the situation?
Could you provide evidence to back this up?

[Big Chief]

Could you provide evidence to back this up?

For my evidence I will rely on the observations conducted by the two things either side of my nose! As stated previously in this thread I was in attendance at the game in question and indeed I have attended previously at Kingspan Century Park in Monaghan for the purposes of following Finn Harps and never observed a substantial home support.

None of the clubs I have referred to in my earlier posts on this topic are well supported nor indeed do they appear to be making any progress in terms of swelling their miniscule fan bases and it is for this reason they should be removed.

Much and all as many League of Ireland clubs like to bury their heads in the sand and ignore financial reality, it does not make sense to have as many senior clubs in the League as is currently the case and the public have shown they have no appetite for more clubs being introduced.

I have every sympathy for Galway United being forced to deal with this outbreak of senior clubs within their catchment area. Does anyone genuinely believe that Mervue, Salthill Devon or any of the clubs I have listed above will be playing to crowds of several thousand in 10 or 20 years? That should be the aim for all clubs as the only way the League can improve is through increased attendances and the knock on benefits that flow from that in terms of sponsorship and merchandising revenue.

Finally, at the risk of being accused of personalising this matter, I do note that you are a Limerick fan and I must say I was disappointed by the size of the crowd at Jackman Park during my recent visit. For a club who have an entire city to draw support from it was clear to me that a lot more effort needs to be put in to promote the club and draw more fans to matches. Limerick FC, like all clubs, need to get off their backsides and do so much more to get fans through the turnstiles!

[christo]

I stand steadfastly over my comments regarding Monaghan United and the other clubs previously listed.


And Harps get massive crowds and are financially sound are they, I recall a few seasons ago ye having to put the entire squad for sale. You may add yourselves to that list. Sure you know what lets just scrap the first division let Shels take Derrys place and be done with it.

And just for the record Fingal get a larger crowd than Harps do too

[LK37oldskool]

[

Finally, at the risk of being accused of personalising this matter, I do note that you are a Limerick fan and I must say I was disappointed by the size of the crowd at Jackman Park during my recent visit. For a club who have an entire city to draw support from it was clear to me that a lot more effort needs to be put in to promote the club and draw more fans to matches. Limerick FC, like all clubs, need to get off their backsides and do so much more to get fans through the turnstiles![/QUOTE]

Considering it was a nothing last game of the season for us, i think your being somewhat harsh.Our city supports 2 codes of GAA plus its the home of Munster rugby and dozens of top quality junior clubs,which impacts heavily on our attendances.
Dont think the northwest has much attractions or should that be distractions!:D

[passerrby]

[QUOTE=Big Chief;1272040]For my evidence I will rely on the observations conducted by the two things either side of my nose! As stated previously in this thread I was in attendance at the game in question and indeed I have attended previously at Kingspan Century Park in Monaghan for the purposes of following Finn Harps and never observed a substantial home support.


was in ballybofey for our second win of the season v harps and did not see any big support base. so it looks like we are both the same the only difference seems to be we are a well run club

[Big Chief]

[

Considering it was a nothing last game of the season for us, i think your being somewhat harsh.Our city supports 2 codes of GAA plus its the home of Munster rugby and dozens of top quality junior clubs,which impacts heavily on our attendances.
Dont think the northwest has much attractions or should that be distractions!:D

I don't dispute for one second that there are alternatives available to spectators in the Limerick area (as there are in all areas... even the North West) but I still refuse to believe that a couple of hundred is a satisfactory crowd from a city of its size. Limerick FC must do more to promote the club within the community. Indeed when I told some of the employees in the hotel where I stayed that I was going to Jackman Park (which was less than 10 minutes walk away) they confessed they had not even heard of it. I would be very disappointed if people in the North West hadn't at least heard of Finn Harps however I believe they too must do much more to increase attendances.

[Big Chief]

And Harps get massive crowds and are financially sound are they, I recall a few seasons ago ye having to put the entire squad for sale. You may add yourselves to that list. Sure you know what lets just scrap the first division let Shels take Derrys place and be done with it.

And just for the record Fingal get a larger crowd than Harps do too

Harps are not financially sound, however, given that I have not got control of the funds at the club I can't do much about that. Indeed I recall speaking to at least two directors last year, while they were in the Premier Division spending ridiculous sums of money, and pointing out that, rather than trying to compete with the likes of Cork City and Bohemians, they would be much better off keeping spending to a sensible level and waiting for the other clubs to implode as is duly happening.

I accept that Harps' crowds in the last few years, with the exception of the last 5 or 6 homes games en route to promotion and the first few home game in the Premier Division, have been very poor. Nevertheless history will bear witness to the fact that Harps have the potential to attract good crowds on a regular basis when they are doing well. I fear the same could not be said of a number of other clubs, including Sporting Fingal.

That being said, if we are having this discussion again in 10 years time and Harps are playing to paltry crowds then I would reluctantly agree that they should die by the sword I am now weilding.

To deal with your final point regarding the First Division, if my argument is progressed to its logical conclusion then I would have to agree that the First Division should be abolished and some, although not all of the teams currently participating in it, returned to junior football.

[Big Chief]

[QUOTE=Big Chief;1272040]For my evidence I will rely on the observations conducted by the two things either side of my nose! As stated previously in this thread I was in attendance at the game in question and indeed I have attended previously at Kingspan Century Park in Monaghan for the purposes of following Finn Harps and never observed a substantial home support.


was in ballybofey for our second win of the season v harps and did not see any big support base. so it looks like we are both the same the only difference seems to be we are a well run club

Without reiterating the comments in my previous post, I accept Finn Harps crowds have been terrible this year, but it is noteworthy that they are coming off the back of several years of disappointment. Monaghan on the other hand were coming off the back of one of their better seasons and their crowds still remained considerably smaller than those of Harps. I do however concede that Harps should be doing much more to increase attendances and improve their financial position. In time I believe they will be successful. Sadly I do not see the same potential in Monaghan United.

[osarusan]

Without reiterating the comments in my previous post, I accept Finn Harps crowds have been terrible this year, but it is noteworthy that they are coming off the back of several years of disappointment. Monaghan on the other hand were coming off the back of one of their better seasons and their crowds still remained considerably smaller than those of Harps. I do however concede that Harps should be doing much more to increase attendances and improve their financial position. In time I believe they will be successful. Sadly I do not see the same potential in Monaghan United.
In your original post, you said that in your view, teams like Monaghan and Fingal (among others) brought nothing to the league. What is it exactly that you want teams to bring to the league?

Limerick, and to a lesser extent in my opinion, Harps, are potentially bigger clubs than Monaghan, but surely our finishing below them is cause for you to look inward at your club, rather than at a club that managed to be more successful than yours. It seems to me that all Harps and Limerick bring to the league that Monaghan don't is a potential for success, a potential that our clubs, to varying degrees, have been unable to exploit in any meaningful or consistent way.

If Monaghan were to leave the league, I'd rather it be because a club of their limited resources was simply unable to compete with clubs who were exploiting their potential to such an extent that Monaghan were relegated. No other reason.

[dong]

And Harps get massive crowds and are financially sound are they, I recall a few seasons ago ye having to put the entire squad for sale. You may add yourselves to that list. Sure you know what lets just scrap the first division let Shels take Derrys place and be done with it.

And just for the record Fingal get a larger crowd than Harps do too

Ah yes, the old foot.ie "You can talk, what about your club?" post.
Well done. Really adds to the debate.

[harleyleeds]

Considering it was a nothing last game of the season for us, i think your being somewhat harsh.Our city supports 2 codes of GAA plus its the home of Munster rugby and dozens of top quality junior clubs,which impacts heavily on our attendances.
Dont think the northwest has much attractions or should that be distractions



your quite right we dont have many other sports but thats hardly the point . we (srfc) have a much better supported club than you while you have at least 8 times the pop. harps are a well supported club (still hate them ) with loyal fans and his point is they have potential (fans) fingal have none and will never have any .

[bennocelt]

As far as I'm concerned Salthill and Mervue have as much right to be in the LOI family as Galway Utd. They have earned the right to do so, with decent results and clubs that are ran well. So whats the problem?:confused:

Football isnt all about money - re all seater stadia and full time set ups.
Also delighted UCD made a quick return to the top - a club that is very well run and always entertain on the field.

[stann]

None of the clubs I have referred to in my earlier posts on this topic are well supported nor indeed do they appear to be making any progress in terms of swelling their miniscule fan bases and it is for this reason they should be removed.

This is just one part of a completely arseways theory that stood out for me.

Since when is swelling the fan base a reason to be in a league? They're there to compete at the highest level that they can, simple as that.
Some clubs need a lot of fans to break even. Monaghan do not. Nor do UCD. Nor, at the moment at least, do Fingal.
They are all where they are this season purely on merit, on achievements on the field. And they all finished ahead of Harps by the way, and almost all ahead of us for that matter.

You seem to be suggesting that getting shot of these teams would in some way be good for the league, but how do you figure that? How would losing Monaghan boost attendances at Finn Park or the RSC? Do explain that one, please!

[christo]

Ah yes, the old foot.ie "You can talk, what about your club?" post.
Well done. Really adds to the debate.

This adds to the debate what??

In fairness he was saying that Fingal brought nothing to the league except they are more financially sound, get bigger crowds and finish higher up the table so saying that Fingal should be kicked and not harps is a poor point.


Honestly I think the first division should be scrapped and the run a proper regionalised A league without the B-teams from the bigger clubs, it would cut out travel costs, there would be increased local club rivalry, and with less distance to travel 20/30 more away fans might make it to the matches rather than the paultry amount that can make cross country games on a friday evening

[christo]

None of the clubs I have referred to in my earlier posts on this topic are well supported nor indeed do they appear to be making any progress in terms of swelling their miniscule fan bases and it is for this reason they should be removed.

According to the attendances thread Monaghan have improved their fan base by 5 fans this year

http://foot.ie/forums/showpost.php?p=1272323&postcount=1873

[LK37oldskool]

your quite right we dont have many other sports but thats hardly the point . we (srfc) have a much better supported club than you while you have at least 8 times the pop. harps are a well supported club (still hate them ) with loyal fans and his point is they have potential (fans) fingal have none and will never have any .[/QUOTE]

Limerick FC biggest problem is a poor recent history in how the club was run.Apart from our hardcore ,every week supporter the attitude to the club in this town stinks.We are unable at present to get back the casual punter just to take a look at what we have to offer - especially as our successful rugby neighbour looms over us.
the club are taking great strides to amend this and i believe next season there will be an upsurge in support but it takes time.We have a community officer who does trojan work and for the first time in many years the club behind the scenes looks stable and progressive(last season we had no manager and very few players signed a week before season kick off -no pre season work done at all). While in general your point of "we should be a bigger club" is correct its a muted call without known all the facts.

[SligoBrewer]

Jaysis, such a load of huff and puff over what?

At least it sounds like Galway can have a real derby, and none of this Connaught derby Gaa ****e.

[Da Real Rover]

How did Limericks support dwindle to what it is now?
The older heads always said that Limerick used to have a massive support and a good footballing culture, one that dwarfed Galway back in the day.
And how is it that it has become what it is?
Where has all your fans gone?

[Jofspring]

How did Limericks support dwindle to what it is now?
The older heads always said that Limerick used to have a massive support and a good footballing culture, one that dwarfed Galway back in the day.
And how is it that it has become what it is?
Where has all your fans gone?

Simple answer really, Limerick people will only follow success. Limerick haven't been successful so the people will not watch them. As with most clubs who drop to the first division, lots of "fans" stop going to games. That is the main reason. We could put some of it down to competing with Rugby and GAA but if Limerick suddenly started doing well i would expect the crowds to get much bigger. The advertising of the club and getting people to back us with the reputation that seems to have built up over the years has made it tough also and add into that that Jackman Park isn't the most Desirable to place to go watch football.

[LK37oldskool]

years of mis-management has soured the fans against senior soccer here.couple that with the fact we're like nomads lookin for a home and you end up with the situation we have now.How ever as i said in a previous post most of these issues are being addressed with gutso and there is a very positive vibe around the club which should translate to better crowds next season.many do feel that its S**t or bust in that regard ,all that can be done will be done to hit the ground running next year.

[gufc2000]

Salthill Devon set to join the Big Time

November 13, 2009 - 10:37am
by Keith Kelly


GALWAY looks set to host three League of Ireland clubs in the 2010 season – giving it the same level of representation as the province of Munster – after Salthill Devon this week accepted an invitation from the FAI to apply for a licence to play in the First Division next season.

The invitation was sent after Devon were deemed to have won promotion from the Newstalk A Championship when Kildare County was unable to play in a two-leg promotion/ relegation play-off with the Galway club this week.

The FAI issued a short statement on the matter on Monday night which stated that “Kildare County FC today informed the Football Association of Ireland that the club is not in a position to fulfil the relegation/promotion play-off matches, originally scheduled for Tuesday and Friday of this week.

“As a result of today’s decision, Salthill Devon will have been deemed to have won promotion from the Newstalk A Championship into the League of Ireland First Division, pending the licensing process,” the statement read.

That opens the way for Devon to join Galway United (Premier Division) and Mervue United (First Division) in the League of Ireland next season, and yesterday club chairman Tony Johnstone confirmed to City Sport that the club had entered into the licensing process.

“We would be in that process anyway because, as a minimum, we would be applying for membership of the A championship again next season. The licence for the First Division is a bigger process, but we have started down that path.

“We are taking things step-by-step, and reviewing every stage of the process to evaluate what would be required and what would the benefits be, and at the end of the whole process we’ll sit down, take a look at things and make a decision.

“We want to play at the highest level possible, and it would be great to have that as something for all the younger members of the club to aspire to, but we are taking it very slowly, we’re not going to rush anything, and want to establish everything as a fact before we make a decision,” he said.

The players and management of the club’s A Championship squad are to meet tonight to discuss Devon’s potential membership of the League and discuss what level of commitment would be required, and what they would be able to provide.

Johnston says he does not envisage any difficulty from the playing point of view, but says it is just one aspect of the licensing process that the club needs to meet. Another is the infrastructure required.

“Our desire would be to play games at our own ground, and this season we hosted the A Championship final and the FAI Cup clash with UCD, and they were both successful from an organisational point of view.

“We are a private ground with one main access point so I don’t see a difficulty there, but there could be other matters which we are not aware of until a delegation from the Licensing Department of the FAI comes down, examines the ground, and advises us on what is required,” he said.

He said no approach has of yet being made to the Galway & District league, which owns Terryland Park, with a view to renting the ground for games next season, as both Galway United and Mervue United do, but a spokesperson for the FAI yesterday hinted that it would be difficult from its point of view in accommodating three League of Ireland teams playing in the one ground.

When asked if it would be possible to manipulate the fixtures list to ensure there was at least one of the three Galway clubs away from home every week, the spokesperson said that “it would probably be difficult to arrange that from a fixtures point of view”.

The spokesperson added that no ground issue “has been flagged” to the FAI, but stressed that the licensing process was a lengthy and detailed one, and said more would be known when the Licensing delegation visited Salthill Devon’s grounds in Drom.

The Galway & District League, which owns Terryland Park, is in talks with Galway United regarding the use of the ground next season, and is also due to sit down with officials from Mervue United to discuss their rental of the ground in 2010 as well.

Tony Samuels, the Chairman of the G&DL, said Galway United’s use of the ground is agreed upon on a year-on-year basis, and he has already held talks with CEO of the Premier Division club, Nick Leeson. He expects to enter into talks with officials from Mervue United in the coming days, but says there has, as of yet, been no contact from Salthill Devon.

Terryland Park has already hosted 88 games this year, including 23 games involving Galway United and 17 Mervue United games. The ground also hosted the FAI Schools Senior Cup final between St Joseph’s College (the Bish) and CBS Sexton Street Limerick in May, and the FAI Umbro Women’s U-14 Cup Final between Colga FC and Longford Town in August, as well as a range of games under the auspices of the G&DL.

There have been persistent rumours circulating for a number of weeks that Mervue United would not be applying to play in the League of Ireland again next season, but the club’s Facilities Manager and Club Licensing Officer, Declan McDonnell, firmly quashed such suggestions yesterday.

“The board of Mervue United voted to apply for a licence to play in the First Division next season, as did all 19 members of the club’s Football Committee, and our licence application has been completed and was lodged with the FAI at the end of October.

“It was a successful season for is in so far as we survived, our aspiration is to give young lads in the area the chance to play at the highest level so we have applied to play in the league in 2010. We will be restructuring our budget, and work on that is underway, but we have applied for a licence and are aiming to play in the First Division again next season,” he said.

The fact the club lost money on its debut season in the League of Ireland is no surprise, despite the fact the club operates on an amateur basis, as costs such as transport, catering, costs associated with match nights (including the rental of Terryland Park), as well as the membership fee of the League itself – believed to be around €7,000 – all add up as a drain on finances.

McDonnell also confirmed that permission would once again be sought from the G&DL for the use of Terryland Park next season as its own ground of Fahy’s Field does not meet the FAI’s licensing requirements.

A planning application to erect a fence around the pitch in Mervue has been lodged with Galway City Council, as well as the construction of a covered stand, and the granting of planning permission for both would suffice to meet that aspect of licensing requirements.

The FAI is currently undertaking a review of the entire League of Ireland structure, which is expected to be completed at the end of the 2010 season, and it is believed Mervue United will delay any work on erecting a surrounding fence or a stand at Fahy’s Field pending the outcome of that review.

It is thought that one avenue the FAI is considering is the expansion of the Premier Division to a 16-team league and the scrapping of the First Division, to be replaced by regional development leagues from which there will be promotion to, and relegation from, the Premier Division.

It is believed Mervue United will see little point in proceeding with such development work at Fahy’s Field if it is not involved in the Premier Division and if membership of the regional league does not require such facilities to be in place.


http://www.galwaynew...t-join-big-time (http://www.galwaynews.ie/9658-salthill-devon-set-join-big-time)

[culloty82]

The FAI is currently undertaking a review of the entire League of Ireland structure, which is expected to be completed at the end of the 2010 season.

It is thought that one avenue the FAI is considering is the expansion of the Premier Division to a 16-team league and the scrapping of the First Division, to be replaced by regional development leagues from which there will be promotion to, and relegation from, the Premier Division.


[/QUOTE]

Regional development leagues haven't been a major success in Scotland, where there are three feeder leagues to the SFL, because they complicate election to the Third Division, as seen when Annan became the newest club. If the Premier Division is expanded, a 12 team A Championship is the most practical idea.

[gufc2000]

Regional development leagues haven't been a major success in Scotland, where there are three feeder leagues to the SFL, because they complicate election to the Third Division, as seen when Annan became the newest club. If the Premier Division is expanded, a 12 team A Championship is the most practical idea.


Would the 12 team A Championship not be just the First Division in disguise?

I wouldn't agree with a load of regionalised leagues below the Premier because the quality coming up would be very poor I'd imagine

[culloty82]

You couldn't just kick Athlone, Mervue etc out of senior football for no apparent reason, and the reason I'm suggesting basing the second tier around the A Championship is the licensing in that division at the moment would bring Kildare and Kilkenny back into the senior game, and also clubs that fold would automatically reform in the A league, which wouldn't happen in the First Division. Tying promotion to meeting Premier licence standards means even the amateur clubs would have to develop a top-flight quality infrastructure within 5-10 years.

[Da Real Rover]

I dont think anyones suggesting we throw Athlone out of the league.
They have been around for years and if only had a bit of success im sue would get some quite decent crowds.

[pineapple stu]

It is thought that one avenue the FAI is considering is the expansion of the Premier Division to a 16-team league and the scrapping of the First Division
If Athlone finish outisde the top half of the First Division again, they'd be in some manner of A League according to the article, so it is indirectly being suggested.

I've no problems with that if the six clubs in the First Division merge with the non-reserve clubs in the A League and form a North/South First Division with a respectable number of games.

(It's not going to cure the league obviously, but I do think it'd be a better structure)

[culloty82]

If Athlone finish outisde the top half of the First Division again, they'd be in some manner of A League according to the article, so it is indirectly being suggested.

I've no problems with that if the six clubs in the First Division merge with the non-reserve clubs in the A League and form a North/South First Division with a respectable number of games.

(It's not going to cure the league obviously, but I do think it'd be a better structure)

Floated that idea when the format thread was going, but most people who answered didn't want a split. Still think it could work though.

[culloty82]

[QUOTE=gufc2000;1273063]Salthill Devon set to join the Big Time

November 13, 2009 - 10:37am
by Keith Kelly


GALWAY looks set to host three League of Ireland clubs in the 2010 season – giving it the same level of representation as the province of Munster – after Salthill Devon this week accepted an invitation from the FAI to apply for a licence to play in the First Division next season.

1882 from Castlebar claims Salthill have turned down promotion, has there been a change of mind since you posted the article?

[dcfcsteve]

Regional development leagues haven't been a major success in Scotland, where there are three feeder leagues to the SFL, because they complicate election to the Third Division, as seen when Annan became the newest club. If the Premier Division is expanded, a 12 team A Championship is the most practical idea.

There's a difference between feeder leagues and a pyramid structure though.

I'm not sure how you think having 3 feeder leagues makes election of clubs to the senior league complicated ? :confused:

An election is basically a beauty parade, so it wouldn't matter whether there was one feeder league or one thousand. A single choice still needs to be made from the relatively small number of clubs that are ready,willing and able to make the step up.

[dcfcsteve]

How did Limericks support dwindle to what it is now?
The older heads always said that Limerick used to have a massive support and a good footballing culture, one that dwarfed Galway back in the day.
And how is it that it has become what it is?
Where has all your fans gone?

Every club used to have a massive support back in the day.

Limerick's has dwindled more than average, as its various clubs have specialised in major inconsistency (names, colours, home grounds) over the last 30 years, and have generally been run so badly that most fans have been alienated over time.

[culloty82]

I'm not sure how you think having 3 feeder leagues makes election of clubs to the senior league complicated ? :confused:

An election is basically a beauty parade, so it wouldn't matter whether there was one feeder league or one thousand. A single choice still needs to be made from the relatively small number of clubs that are ready,willing and able to make the step up.

The A Championship is the ideal bridge between non-league and the First Division, so not sure how replacing it and the FD with three provincial leagues (even though it was only mentioned in one article) would improve the situation.

[gufc2000]

But if the First Division went, and the A Championship replaced it, is that not just the First Division in disguise?

[GUFCghost]

am i the only one that thinks that galway united are the club that should not be in the league as by what everyone else is saying salthill and mervue have much better set ups?

They are under age club and nothing more,they are well set up but not for LOI.

[Acornvilla]

on the other hand galway have some fans but no set up..

[Knappagh Red]

Dublin has a populaiton of more than 1 million people., and 6 clubs in the LOI. Galway (city and county) has a population of around 230,000, and could have 3 teams in the LOI. Crazy****

Why is it crazy? Sligo (town and county) has a population of 56,000. The Galway United fans are just worried about being eclipsed by better run clubs with assets.

[gufc2000]

am i the only one that thinks that galway united are the club that should not be in the league as by what everyone else is saying salthill and mervue have much better set ups?
Yes.

Salthill Devon and Mervue Utd should be no more than an affiliate club to the LoI, providing players with a platform to get onto the league ladder.

[sadloserkid]

They are under age club and nothing more,they are well set up but not for LOI.

Even with Nick Leeson in charge?