Stephen Henderson on the state of Irish football

[nigel-harps1954]

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/league-of-ireland-boss-goes-on-epic-rant-about-irish-football-culture/84666


Discuss.

[irishultra]

Nutjob. The fallacy in his thinking is that he is comparing the LOI to a massive global league. There is nothing that really suggests that the LOI should be anything more than it is, clubs need to act within their means and embrace the reality they find themselves in. Of course they should build support but they are never going to get older people set in their ways, this is a reality the LOI must face. The league should be sustainable and exist for the fans, because ultimately that is all that matters. It is futile spending stupid money on slight better players because there will be no discernible difference in terms of quality on display.

[nigel-harps1954]

Nutjob. The fallacy in his thinking is that he is comparing the LOI to a massive global league. There is nothing that really suggests that the LOI should be anything more than it is, clubs need to act within their means and embrace the reality they find themselves in. Of course they should build support but they are never going to get older people set in their ways, this is a reality the LOI must face. The league should be sustainable and exist for the fans, because ultimately that is all that matters. It is futile spending stupid money on slight better players because there will be no discernible difference in terms of quality on display.

So, what you're saying is, "feck optimism and trying to build a product, stick with what you know, and plod on in a lower class existence in comparison to leagues in other countries doing much better than ours"?

Why can't we also look to get a newer younger generation involved too rather than focusing on 'older people set in their ways'?

[pateen]

Cant disagree with most of what he says. The FAI dont give two hoots

Prob a hefty fine coming his way but fair play for having the Balls to speak out

[Sam_Heggy]

Nutjob. The fallacy in his thinking is that he is comparing the LOI to a massive global league. There is nothing that really suggests that the LOI should be anything more than it is, clubs need to act within their means and embrace the reality they find themselves in. Of course they should build support but they are never going to get older people set in their ways, this is a reality the LOI must face. The league should be sustainable and exist for the fans, because ultimately that is all that matters. It is futile spending stupid money on slight better players because there will be no discernible difference in terms of quality on display.

That massive global league is getting millions pumped in every year by Irish fans.
The FAI don't care what happens in the LOI.
The price of coaching badges here are driving coaches away.
The structures at underage in the country are a joke by and large, hence why we're losing so many talented footballers to GAA, Rugby, etc.

It's about time someone spoke up about it. The Irish fans travelled in tens of thousands to France over the past few weeks yet the likes of Longford, Athlone, etc are getting crowds of less that 200 for league matches.

Clubs here have alot to answer for, there does need to be a product created here to get a buzz around the league. But the whole thing is going to nose dive further without investment and a combined effort.

The lack of traffic/posts on this forum lately is an indication of the lack of interest around the league at the minute.

[disgruntled]

That massive global league is getting millions pumped in every year by Irish fans.
The FAI don't care what happens in the LOI.
The price of coaching badges here are driving coaches away.
The structures at underage in the country are a joke by and large, hence why we're losing so many talented footballers to GAA, Rugby, etc.

It's about time someone spoke up about it. The Irish fans travelled in tens of thousands to France over the past few weeks yet the likes of Longford, Athlone, etc are getting crowds of less that 200 for league matches.

Clubs here have alot to answer for, there does need to be a product created here to get a buzz around the league. But the whole thing is going to nose dive further without investment and a combined effort.

The lack of traffic/posts on this forum lately is an indication of the lack of interest around the league at the minute.

Its not lack of interest Sam.
Its the frustration of constantly having to say the same thing over & over & the refusal of those who run Soccer in this country to listen.
Credit to Henderson for standing up & saying it just how it is.
Perhaps if some other high profile names were to do the same we just might get somewhere.

[zander1983]

He is spot on. From what I can see, the FAI is an organisation of accountants with little or no interest in football or young player welfare. Look what Iceland have done. In 2001 they started to build all-weather pitches so that every school would have one. In only 15 years, look at the astonishing results. In sports organisation, the number one trait that every employee of that organisation needs to have is a love of that sport (I be;ieve this to be the case with the GAA). However a love of football in the FAI appears to be a career hindrance.

I think the FAI no longer serves a purpose.

[osarusan]

He didn't say anything new really.

[outspoken]

Big fine and touchline ban coming his way I'd say

[nr637]

Anyone got a link to the Stephen Henderson rant on the state of Irish football ! Please N

[osarusan]

Anyone got a link to the Stephen Henderson rant on the state of Irish football ! Please N
It's in the article linked in the OP just 10 posts above yours.

[marinobohs]

pretty much spot on. he can expect a missive from the FAI when they get back from junketing around France. Delaney's new suit is lovely, the finest ever :o

[pateen]

pretty much spot on. he can expect a missive from the FAI when they get back from junketing around France. Delaney's new suit is lovely, the finest ever :o

Ha ha ... so true

[peadar1987]

That massive global league is getting millions pumped in every year by Irish fans.
The FAI don't care what happens in the LOI.
The price of coaching badges here are driving coaches away.
The structures at underage in the country are a joke by and large, hence why we're losing so many talented footballers to GAA, Rugby, etc.

It's about time someone spoke up about it. The Irish fans travelled in tens of thousands to France over the past few weeks yet the likes of Longford, Athlone, etc are getting crowds of less that 200 for league matches.

Clubs here have alot to answer for, there does need to be a product created here to get a buzz around the league. But the whole thing is going to nose dive further without investment and a combined effort.

The lack of traffic/posts on this forum lately is an indication of the lack of interest around the league at the minute.

I think a lot of that is due to fans moving a lot of their interactions to social media instead of more traditional message boards (or in my case, moving away from Ireland, not having anything to contribute, and resigning myself to a lifetime of lurking)