Drogheda

[legendz]

That's harsh on the A Championship. It has these 3-4 clubs available to join the league, if needed. If other clubs fall like Cobh did in the past, the A Championship is an ok interim league to be part of. Clubs can look to build for the LoI proper. Wasn't there a story Drogheda would seek an A licence if it came to that?
It's better for the league that the A Championship is there for this, leaving the first division up in a position to have some sort of stability.
Instead of fudging, not to go once again but.., maybe it's time to reduce the number of clubs from 22 to 20, running two divisions of 10 each. The A Championship should be retained, removing the stipulation Premier clubs have to field an A side. Any expansion of the league in the future should be put on hold until more clubs can show they can hold the required licences without all the fudging.

[Lim till i die]

The A Championship is gone, dead, finished after this year.

FC Carlow play in a field at the back of a housing estate.

If any good junior club is crazy enough to want to join the League Of Ireland they can be accomodated in the First Division.

[culloty82]

Well, out of last year's A Championship teams, FC Carlow were the next highest non-reserve side, in fifth. Castlebar and Tralee both were seventh in their respective groups, but Tralee got more points. Tullamore are the other side. Whatever happens, expect there to be fudge! To be honest, if we lose both Fingal and Drogheda, possibly Bohs and Galway, and any other club with problems, there doesn't seem to be any point to the A Championship.

When the play-off winners would replace Fingal, I'd imagine in Drogheda's case it would be open applications, with any interested club judged by licencing criteria - Carlow and Tralee would put their names forward anyway, not sure how interested/ready Castlebar and Tullamore would be. It says a lot that even after the regular updates on this and the Bohs and Galway threads, we're still trying to second-guess if they can get a licence on Monday.

[Macy]

If any good junior club is crazy enough to want to join the League Of Ireland they can be accomodated in the First Division.
Easily, as you could expand it to a position of a straight home and away if necessary. Problem should in theory be licencing, but when has that ever been a problem?

[Martinho II]

The A Championship is gone, dead, finished after this year.

FC Carlow play in a field at the back of a housing estate.

If any good junior club is crazy enough to want to join the League Of Ireland they can be accomodated in the First Division.

whats goin to happen when the a championship goes with the likes of FC Carlow?

[Lim till i die]

I don't know.

If any club wants to and meets the standard they could step up to the First Division, if not they can play in whatever Senior League.

Don't get me wrong I think it's a shame the A Championship is going, it's definitely served a purpose for Limerick, but I just wouldn't agree with the suggestion that it's the only and best way for clubs to step up to the League.

[legendz]

The best thing the FAI could do is give the Premier Division a position of strength with 16 clubs playing straight home and away. The top 6 from division one last year and maybe one or two more, can make the step-up to the Premier.
The rest of the clubs then, be it any number from 8 to 11 or more, should be welcome to participate in Division One. The number of series and games then will have to be worked around that. 8 can play 28 over 4 series, 10 will probably play 27 over 3 series.

[prince20]

The best thing the FAI could do is give the Premier Division a position of strength with 16 clubs playing straight home and away. The top 6 from division one last year and maybe one or two more, can make the step-up to the Premier.
The rest of the clubs then, be it any number from 8 to 11 or more, should be welcome to participate in Division One. The number of series and games then will have to be worked around that. 8 can play 28 over 4 series, 10 will probably play 27 over 3 series.

Now there is a thought, im surprised nobody thoiught of that before????

[**FrOsTy**]

Hearing rumours Drogs willpull put just like Fingal? Anyone else get this?

[legendz]

If they are to, which will be sad to hear, the LoI will be left with two divisions of 10. If true, are the FAI sure bringing the curtain down on the A Championship is a good idea? If the Drog's have to bow out, I hope they can at least be accommodated in the A Championship as Cobh were.

[bullit]

Hearing rumours Drogs willpull put just like Fingal? Anyone else get this?
Source ??
Im hearing the opposite(that they will take up the offer to play in the top leauge) from some Drog fans but seems to be pure speculation and has no bones to it !!

[**FrOsTy**]

Source is something from the Cork forum. Not the best of sources hence why I asked here. A drogs fan I know said the club will have no problem getting a prem licence. But with rumours like this there is never smoke without fire.

[Longfordian]

Heard talk at our game tonight that they'll turn down the offer Premier Division football anyway but wouldn't place a huge amount of trust in the source! Monaghan up in that case presumably?

[bullit]

The opinion among the Drog fans i know is that it would be easier to secure sponsers, sell the shares and get bigger home crowds plus the rest that goes with being in the PD.......
Maybe one or two of them on here would like too stick up their opinion(s) ???

[Ezeikial]

Assuming that Drogheda are fit to get a licence (agreements on licence-critical debts etc) then they should get a premier licence.

I think it is a no-brainer for them to take up the PD spot. Even allowing for the probability that an amateur squad would probably be uncompetitive, they are likely to have a higher income possibilities (especially sponsorship and gates) and probably lower travel costs. If the PD is the place for them to be as they rebuild over future seasons, they are far more likely to be in the 2012 PD by starting this season in the premier as opposed to the first.

[Magicme]

Heard talk at our game tonight that they'll turn down the offer Premier Division football anyway but wouldn't place a huge amount of trust in the source! Monaghan up in that case presumably?

You have to get a premier licence to play in the premier so who knows who will be where until Sunday.

[Longfordian]

True. I can confidently predict we'll be playing First Division football with a Premier Licence however. Unless almost all the Premier Division clubs unexpectedly fail to gain Premier Licences.

[WindmillWarrior]

Seems our club have resubmitted their budget with regard to playing Premier division football. It makes sense financially for us and most fans seem to be happy enough. Tho some are also saying that this move could cause even more apathy among an already disillusioned fanbase as we'll be hammered every week (even worse than last season!!)

[legendz]

It's tough on Monaghan. Had they played the Drog's last season in the play-off, they might have had a better chance of beating them.

[monsexile]

Here's an unofficial Monaghan take on things.
http://monaghanunited.tv/?p=291

[White Horse]

Seems our club have resubmitted their budget with regard to playing Premier division football. It makes sense financially for us and most fans seem to be happy enough. Tho some are also saying that this move could cause even more apathy among an already disillusioned fanbase as we'll be hammered every week (even worse than last season!!)

It is hard to turn down a place in the top division. However, it is nearly impossible to rebuild the club and the fanbase while fighting relegation.

I'm not sure going into the Premier is the wisest choice. It is understandable though.

[monsexile]

I can't see how this resubmitting can be allowed. Surely you apply for a licence at the right time and the decision is made. The final extended deadline was 28 January. Whatever about Monaghan's own shortcomings re stadium which they have plans to address, I can't see how Drogs can get in with a stadium they don't own which failed the capacity criterion in previous seasons and with 55k in outstanding debts.

[legendz]

Is it true Delaney gave some of his own money towards the Drog's?

[harps1954]

Is it true Delaney gave some of his own money towards the Drog's?

Yes, €5,000 (five €1,000 shares)

[Dodge]

Is it true Delaney gave some of his own money towards the Drog's?

He bought a couple of their share thingies. No big deal IMO. If it helped save a club, all the better

[harps1954]

I can't see how this resubmitting can be allowed. Surely you apply for a licence at the right time and the decision is made.

The done the same for Cork City (the old version) and Derry City last season if I'm not mistaken.

[total hoofball]

Drogheda in pole position as Sporting fold

EMMET MALONE

DROGHEDA UNITED and Monaghan United have both indicated their firm interest in replacing Sporting Fingal in the Premier Division for the coming season after it was confirmed the Dublin club will cease trading as a result of failing to secure new financial backing ahead of this weekend’s licensing deadline.

According to the league’s rules, Drogheda are first in line to fill the vacancy with Monaghan and Waterford United second and third respectively but the FAI said last night that the decision on which club to offer the place to will be based on the outcome of Sunday’s Licensing Committee meeting.


Read more: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0211/1224289522624.htmlFrom that this gem from Drogheda


No, we’ve been talking to potential backers in recent weeks and the message we’ve had back loud and clear is that everything changes if we’re in the Premier Division."The talking to potential backers trick worked out real successfully for Sporting Fingal this week :curse:

[monsexile]

And the secret of success:

"If we can keep the playing budget low but increase our income then really everything becomes manageable.”

[Magicme]

I love Drogs, dont get me wrong and I know as a Mons fan I am biased but all that aside, wouldnt the premier be better with a stable club who have budgeted for premier without waiting for "potential backers"? Any sponsorship we get will be bonus to what we have budgeted for in 2011.

[Jofspring]

From that this gem from Drogheda

The talking to potential backers trick worked out real successfully for Sporting Fingal this week :curse:

Exactly, I really hope Drogheda don't go for it relying on backers and by the end of the season end up worse off than they are. How long would those backers be there if Drogheda struggle for another season and end up relegated regardless or the backers don't have the money the same money they had at the start of the season by mid way through.

I think there is good proof there that going down to the First and rebuilding is working for most. Derry managed to go straight back up, Cork City are probably in a better place stability wise, the same goes for Shels. Monaghan have done things right and are the better for it (unlucky to just miss out last season and will challange again this season). Limerick are also in a better position than they where a few years ago (albeit we've been stuck down here for 17years). Shamrock Rovers are now in a great position and Dundalk are doing things right and reaping the rewards. All these teams have served their time in the first and are the better for it. You could probably throw Sligo in there too. Since being in the First and going back up they have got stronger by the year.

[L.T.F.C.]

What I love about all of this is that Mons fans are singing their clubs praises but stopping short of F*ck Drogheda.

Mons fans, do you know when you have to have the stadium finished by? Have you budgeted for that?

[Dodge]

I love Drogs, dont get me wrong and I know as a Mons fan I am biased but all that aside, wouldnt the premier be better with a stable club who have budgeted for premier

So you've budgetted for premier? What happens if you don't get it?

And it doens't really matter how stable a club is in terms of making the league better if they're getting tonked in front of a handful of people every game (and I'm not saying this will happen with Mons/Drogs - just pointing out that stability isn't a factor in terms of attraction)

[John83]

Exactly, I really hope Drogheda don't go for it relying on backers and by the end of the season end up worse off than they are. How long would those backers be there if Drogheda struggle for another season and end up relegated regardless or the backers don't have the money the same money they had at the start of the season by mid way through.

I think there is good proof there that going down to the First and rebuilding is working for most. Derry managed to go straight back up, Cork City are probably in a better place stability wise, the same goes for Shels. Monaghan have done things right and are the better for it (unlucky to just miss out last season and will challange again this season). Limerick are also in a better position than they where a few years ago (albeit we've been stuck down here for 17years). Shamrock Rovers are now in a great position and Dundalk are doing things right and reaping the rewards. All these teams have served their time in the first and are the better for it. You could probably throw Sligo in there too. Since being in the First and going back up they have got stronger by the year.
Longford and Athlone have been quietly rebuilding there too, and Wexford haven't had joined the legion of LoI sides with newspaper articles about financial problems to date.

[Magicme]

What I love about all of this is that Mons fans are singing their clubs praises but stopping short of F*ck Drogheda.

Mons fans, do you know when you have to have the stadium finished by? Have you budgeted for that?

Not sure if we have a finish date but we do have most of the money in place to begin work. I would never tell a club that LTFC coz when you see how hard everyone in clubs work to keep the show on the road I would never begrudge them success. Unless its Dundalk of course! :p



So you've budgetted for premier? What happens if you don't get it?

And it doens't really matter how stable a club is in terms of making the league better if they're getting tonked in front of a handful of people every game (and I'm not saying this will happen with Mons/Drogs - just pointing out that stability isn't a factor in terms of attraction)

We dont have a budget to compete with Shamrock Rovers or Sligo etc but we have a budget that is based in fact and is sufficient to play in the premier. I am not just talking about a playing budget I am talking about a running our club budget. We would increase our playing budget slightly to accommodate any players we feel we need to make us more competititive but all safely within the overall budget. I dont believe we would be tonked each week. I do think that we would be lower end of the table alright but cant see us being any worse than Galway or Bray (famous last words!) and I think that there would be a bit more appetite for us if we were in the premier again. Our crowds went up last year and will continue to grow as we are now finally getting through to people.

I wasnt saying that our stability would be an attraction as such, just saying that in a time when there are so many facing difficulty, would it not be better to have that bit of stability. What if Drogs go up and half way through the season their funding dries up and they crash out? Would that not be worse than allowing us in and knowing we can make it through the season?

All of the above is speculation to a certain extent as I am no longer fully on the inside track at Mons and do not represent their viewpoint.

[osarusan]

I think there is good proof there that going down to the First and rebuilding is working for most. Derry managed to go straight back up, Cork City are probably in a better place stability wise, the same goes for Shels. Monaghan have done things right and are the better for it (unlucky to just miss out last season and will challange again this season). Limerick are also in a better position than they where a few years ago (albeit we've been stuck down here for 17years). Shamrock Rovers are now in a great position and Dundalk are doing things right and reaping the rewards. All these teams have served their time in the first and are the better for it. You could probably throw Sligo in there too. Since being in the First and going back up they have got stronger by the year.
This is true, but I think the main thing here is that the quite a few of clubs mentioned basically folded, (in some cases leaving hefty debts behind) and did their rebuilding from scratch under the guidance of people with a genuine interest in the club and a wish for sustainability (I'm generalising, as I don't know the ins and outs of each clubs board at all). This could probably have happened in the premier too, though the first does make it easier for a club to lie low for a while and sort itself out.

[monsexile]

Exactly, I really hope Drogheda don't go for it relying on backers and by the end of the season end up worse off than they are. How long would those backers be there if Drogheda struggle for another season and end up relegated regardless or the backers don't have the money the same money they had at the start of the season by mid way through.

I think there is good proof there that going down to the First and rebuilding is working for most. Derry managed to go straight back up, Cork City are probably in a better place stability wise, the same goes for Shels. Monaghan have done things right and are the better for it (unlucky to just miss out last season and will challange again this season). Limerick are also in a better position than they where a few years ago (albeit we've been stuck down here for 17years). Shamrock Rovers are now in a great position and Dundalk are doing things right and reaping the rewards. All these teams have served their time in the first and are the better for it. You could probably throw Sligo in there too. Since being in the First and going back up they have got stronger by the year.
Can someone email this to Drogheda and request that they withdraw their Premier Division licence application (:

[CSFShels]

I hope Monaghan do get the spot. Mostly because I like the club and feel that if they don't get it now, they'll probably struggle to in future years. Very hard for a club who budgets within its very limited means to maintain that level of performance and keep their top players

[EalingGreen]

"According to the league’s rules, Drogheda are first in line to fill the vacancy with Monaghan and Waterford United second and third respectively etc"

Am I missing something glaring?

A League which has been blighted by clubs getting into deep financial doo-doo and going bust, now has a new vacancy to fill in its Premier Division following the demise of another club which got too deep into financial doo-doo and went bust.

And it is seriously proposed to fill that vacancy by promoting a club, Drogheda, which is reportedly in such deep financial doo-doo that it could go bust any day?

What could possibly go wrong?

http://www.belfastbutterflyclub.co.uk/More%20Sarky%20Sonia/Photo%2013.jpg

[Celdrog]

"According to the league’s rules, Drogheda are first in line to fill the vacancy

I don't know, we go mad when the rules are bent and broken, now we go mad when the rules are followed.

A new budget was submitted. If its not acceptable the FAI will give the spot to Monaghan

[Jofspring]

I don't know, we go mad when the rules are bent and broken, now we go mad when the rules are followed.

A new budget was submitted. If its not acceptable the FAI will give the spot to Monaghan

The new budget can be approved but there is nothing to say it is a budget that will keep ye safe. Bohs, Fingal, Cork and Derry all recently had their budgets approved and look what has happened and what is happening still. It's up to Drogheda to make the right decision if you ask me. They need to decide whether the budget is sustainable or if they are just taking another gamble. I hope it is sustainable and not just a gamble at getting better backers or relying too much on what income they might bring in because they are in the premier.

[mr.untitled]

well said CellDrog. Rather than folding, the club fought through examinership and came out the other side. the claret and blue club was then established and now the club is on track to make the change to a supporter run 'community club'. The club has been in the public eye as it was/is changing ownership in a very public way. If we get the premier license, we will be running on a shoestring but I would imagine our accounts will be in a healthier position than a few other premier clubs. If we fail in our license application I will be delighted for Monaghan.

[Nesta99]

I don't know, we go mad when the rules are bent and broken, now we go mad when the rules are followed.

A new budget was submitted. If its not acceptable the FAI will give the spot to Monaghan

Well then if you have budgeted responsibly no problems - welcome back to the Premier Division!

[BonnieShels]

Having spent the day out on the beer. I just heard the news there at 11.
It's hard to wish congratulations just now knowing the potential of it being a pyrrhic victory right now.

[pineapple stu]

You spent the day on the beer and yet you can still spell "pyrrhic" correctly?

Hmmm...

[bullit]

Drogheda United confirms that it will accept a Premier Division licence if granted one following the meeting of the independent club licencing committee on Sunday next.
Internal discussions have taken place over the last number of days and the club has been adjusting its budget for Premier Division participation.
The club has been speaking with a number of interested parties over the last week and it is clear that their support is contingent upon Premier Division status which gives brands more exposure. Drogheda United is confident that if it keeps its playing budget at modest levels, increases commercial income and bolsters its recent share issue, that the club can be stabilised for once and for all. This will also enable the club to put key staff in place, work on long-term income streams and generally feel positive about its future.

http://www.droghedaunited.ie/news.php

[BonnieShels]

You spent the day on the beer and yet you can still spell "pyrrhic" correctly?

Hmmm...

Nicely spotted. The HTC helps me ya see.

I did manage to spell 'hard' wrong.

[Jofspring]

So if Drogheda go up i take it we have Cobh the first game of the season or no match at all if Cobh don't come up.

[BonnieShels]

All will be cleared up on Monday I suppose.

[sixesandsevens]

Is there really any point to relegation at Premier league level anymore? It seems like any old Sunday pub team can finish bottom and still be given a licence back into the division, surely there are at least two or three first division teams that would be more competitive in the Prem than the likes of that shamble of a club

[Celdrog]

Is there really any point to relegation at Premier league level anymore? It seems like any old Sunday pub team can finish bottom and still be given a licence back into the division, surely there are at least two or three first division teams that would be more competitive in the Prem than the likes of that shamble of a clubWell get promoted and show us all then.

Now if a Rovers fan told me we were a shamble, I would agree, Sligo, Pats, etc - I would agree. Dundalk - I would reluctantly concede they were right.
A Shelbourne fan - no.