€5,000 from FAI for strategic plan

[brendy_éire]

I know this was mentioned on another thread, but the story might have legs, so creating a separate one.

The FAI offered this: http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-announces-strategic-plan-funding-for-sse-airtricity-league-clubs

Today, Derry have told them, not so politely, to keep their money.
http://www.derrynow.com/soccer/derry-city-to-refuse-disgraceful-and-disrespectful-e5000-grant-from-fai/109538

If other clubs do it, it'll look bad for the FAI. If they don't, it'll look bad for us, and really not do us any favours.

[Mr A]

It's not the worst idea in the world.. it's just that it's so isolated. If the FAI said they were also going to develop an overall plan and put a bit of backing behind it it'd be a different story, but as it stands it's hard to see why the FAI would expect any other reaction. The pity is that those within the FAI who'd like to see more focus on the league will now probably have the reaction to this thrown at them.

[gufcfan]

It's the hypocrisy of the FAI doing this when privately they actively work to prevent clubs from working together that annoys people.

[Dodge]

Sure it's annoying but every club should have a strategic plan anyway

If they do, then why not take the €5k

Here Derry are saying 'we need more, so we're not even going to try and put a plan together'

[TonyD]

I know this was mentioned on another thread, but the story might have legs, so creating a separate one.

The FAI offered this: http://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-announces-strategic-plan-funding-for-sse-airtricity-league-clubs

Today, Derry have told them, not so politely, to keep their money.
http://www.derrynow.com/soccer/derry-city-to-refuse-disgraceful-and-disrespectful-e5000-grant-from-fai/109538

If other clubs do it, it'll look bad for the FAI. If they don't, it'll look bad for us, and really not do us any favours.

I think you're dead right. It would need all the clubs to act in solidarity for this to have any effect. (Even then I'm not sure the FAI wouldn't just go "grand, that's 100K we've saved there")

No point in Derry being the only ones to stick their heads above the parapet. Ni neart go chur le cheile, as we like to say down Inchicore way. ;)

[redarmyfaction]

Strategic plans for LOI clubs, sounds dangerous.

[Jofspring]

Isn't the outrage a lot to do with how little out of the €11m that is going to the LOI? If the FAI revcieved €1m and ring fenced €100,000 to LOI I don't think people would be too upset but when you place it beside €11m then it's insulting.

€5,000 when you put it in the overall budget for a LOI team isn't something that would make or break a club so it's a pointless offer really.

I think Derry are right to refuse it and fair play to them.

[Real ale Madrid]

Sure it's annoying but every club should have a strategic plan anyway

If they do, then why not take the €5k

Here Derry are saying 'we need more, so we're not even going to try and put a plan together'

Thats not what they are saying at all. They are making a stand - its not about that money. Derry could have a stategic plan already in place - if they do or they don't it will have been down to F**k all help from the FAI thats for sure. Now they hand out a few pennies for the sake of a headline during the AGM ? F**k that - well done Derry, I hope more clubs follow suit. Even if others don't I still admire them for doing it.

[Titan]

We can give out all we want about how the FAI run the game here but unless the clubs are going to run it themselves then its a pointless argument. Until the FAI no longer run the LOI it will always be treated as a 'problem child'

[Mr A]

One potential use of this money would be to get people from LOI clubs together on a more regular basis to loo at ways they can improve and indeed work together. After all, most of the experience of running LOI clubs is at the clubs themselves. Most clubs have something they're doing well at and can share lessons with the rest. Getting the clubs together once a quarter to look at various aspects of running clubs could be productive.

[EatYerGreens]

One potential use of this money would be to get people from LOI clubs together on a more regular basis to loo at ways they can improve and indeed work together. After all, most of the experience of running LOI clubs is at the clubs themselves. Most clubs have something they're doing well at and can share lessons with the rest. Getting the clubs together once a quarter to look at various aspects of running clubs could be productive.

That's probably the last thing the FAI would want. The more clubs get together and work together, the more they'll inevitably challenge the FAI. The FAI would probably know that as well. Divide and rule.

[Mr A]

The Irish Supporter Network hosted an event at the Aviva a couple of years ago, with FAI support so it's not like they flat out won't facilitate this sort of thing. There may be a level of suspicion there but it could still be made to work. Get someone independent to chair the discussions and workshops (again ISN have good contacts here) and you could have some good constructive stuff rather than just ranting and raving.

I've been at a few such events and you always learn a lot- and even finding out that what your club is doing isn't too far off the mark is valuable too.

[gufct]

https://www.facebook.com/tommy.shields/posts/10209172618826886?notif_t=feedback_reaction_generi c&notif_id=1470407134670502

[GCdfc]

https://www.facebook.com/tommy.shields/posts/10209172618826886?notif_t=feedback_reaction_generi c¬if_id=1470407134670502

Link doesn't work.

[Mr A]

Fran Gavin Interview on this

https://www.facebook.com/sseairtricityleague/videos/10154320213358286/

[kksaints]

Derry City have some support.

http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=7255#.V6TtijU2HSN

[ger121]

In the year commemorating Rebellions, are we seeing the beginning of another against unwanted and uncaring rulers?

[Longfordian]

FAI now offering 10k to clubs who publically back the idea.

[colonelwest]

Pats statement, jaysus fair play to them but shots fired to say the least! Isn't the participation agreement up at the end of this season with nothing agreed?

http://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2445&stc=1

[El-Pietro]

Fair ****s to Pats. Hope the rest of the clubs get behind this. 5k is nothing. Its insulting.

[CraftyToePoke]

Fair play to both clubs. Hoping more follow. The wording of St Pats statement left no hiding places.

[jinxy lilywhite]

Good move by pats and derry. It is an insult to the club's and derogatory to be honest.

But I think both clubs and all clubs should of used the PCA to release the statement rather than individual one. It is imperitive the all clubs stick together as delaney and Co are masters of divide and conquer modus operandi

[nigel-harps1954]

Good discussion pre-match in Galway tonight on Eir Sport.

1036652803056154

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Good move by pats and derry. It is an insult to the club's and derogatory to be honest.

But I think both clubs and all clubs should of used the PCA to release the statement rather than individual one. It is imperitive the all clubs stick together as delaney and Co are masters of divide and conquer modus operandi

If they all do it then the individual statements will make more of an impact as clubs can have their own pop at the FAI and one statement could be twisted to look like bigger clubs bullying smaller clubs into not taking it. They all have to reject it for it to have the big impact if half don't then it doesn't look good

[TheBoss]

Good discussion pre-match in Galway tonight on Eir Sport.

1036652803056154

Unfortunately its unavailable, maybe by the FAI's request. ;)

I believe this was the clip that Nigel linked to.
https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/761635949780566020

"The League is on its arse" - Damian Lynch

[nigel-harps1954]

Unfortunately its unavailable, maybe by the FAI's request. ;)

I believe this was the clip that Nigel linked to.
https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/761635949780566020

"The League is on its arse" - Damian Lynch

Works fine for me, but yes, that was the same video.

[TheBoss]

Works fine for me, but yes, that was the same video.

Actually, you have to be signed in on Facebook to watch it.

[legendz]

Have Pat's and/or Derry stated the specific areas that the FAI have failed in?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Really strong words from Pats. Every club should be issuing a similar statement.

[legendz]

My traditional gripe is the lack of an intermediary league. I've read comments from some clubs that they want a reserve league. Enough has been said about it. It's another failing.

[Mr A]

FAI Statement:


FAI PRESS RELEASE
Saturday, 06 August 2016

FAI expresses extreme disappointment with St Patrick's Athletic's statement



The Football Association of Ireland expressed its extreme disappointment with the decision by St Patrick's Athletic FC to reject a funding grant to assist with providing a future business plan for all SSE Airtricity League clubs.

The decision by the club to refuse the payment, which will help to roadmap a financially strategic and deep-rooted community structure, is all the more astonishing given that St Patrick's Athletic were one of the clubs who agreed to the process, in the first place.

Since the St Patrick's Athletic statement was released on Friday evening a host of leading clubs, including Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Cork City, Bohemian FC and Galway United - and many others, have come out to support a clear desire to continue to work in partnership with the FAI.

Frank Kinsella, of St Patrick's Athletic, was one of the three club representatives, along with barrister Michael Cush, who represented the Premier Clubs Association (PCA) - who represent all League clubs - at a meeting with the FAI in Clonmel on August 27.

At that meeting, it was agreed that a €100,000 grant programme for strategic business planning be put in place for all League clubs, and that a statement would be agreed and released, following ultimate approval by the PCA.

The PCA, with Frank Kinsella, had welcomed the process where clubs would be assisted financially, in the drawing up of clear business plans for the next five years, which would give a clear pathway for the future of the League.

At no point during this meeting did Frank Kinsella, as a representative of the PCA or St Patrick's Athletic, voice his disapproval to the plan, and was, in fact, enthusiastic about the process.

He, and the other representatives of the PCA, went on the record with the Association at the time and declared it welcomed "the announcement by the FAI, (and) that they will support the clubs in preparing five-year strategic plans by investing €100,000".

The PCA and Frank Kinsella also agreed "the significance of both the FAI and the clubs working together on the project shows that there is a positive way forward for both to work together in developing the League of Ireland to a new platform for the benefit not alone of the FAI and the clubs, but the players and fans who support our League".

The Association believes that St Patrick's Athletic's statement is extremely divisive and utterly dismissive towards smaller clubs: "The (St Patrick's Athletic) board is of the view that the Association's move and its timing was deliberately aimed at encouraging non Premier League clubs to stand with the current administrators of our League as the PCA set about its agenda to change".

The FAI's Director of Competitions, Fran Gavin, said that the statement by St Patrick's Athletic was "extremely confusing".

"This is quite extraordinary given that the club's representative was one of the architects in agreeing the funding initiative in the first place," said Gavin.

"At no point did Frank Kinsella speak on behalf of himself or his club to voice concerns or otherwise with the funding grant. Nor did he declare that he didn't want to be part of this latest development in what is an ongoing process.

"This is extremely confusing and is quite frustrating that St Patrick's Athletic have decided that parts of this process, which their representative agreed to, is now not for them.

"Many leading clubs have been in touch with me and have announced that they are extremely engaged in what we are all doing together."

Meetings between the FAI and the PCA regarding the future structure and direction of the League have been ongoing since the Consultation Process Report was launched on September 28, 2015.

The meetings have taken place in an atmosphere of partnership, trust, confidentiality and goodwill. One of the main areas highlights by the Report is the need for the clubs to develop a clear business plan.

St Patrick's Athletic's statement is a disappointing development, but the FAI will strive on and continue to work with the clubs who are committed to finding a successful future for the League.

The FAI has an extremely positive history in assisting and working with St Patrick's Athletic in recent times, including through development planning for proposed new facilities and through assistance in preparing Richmond Park for the hosting of UEFA Champions League and Europa League games, and across a broad range of areas.

The FAI fully expects St Patrick's Athletic to re-engage with the agreed process, and to remain in a united partnership with its fellow clubs.

The Board of the FAI will, in the coming week, write to each club outlining the process to date and the next steps forward for the future development of Irish domestic football.



Ian Mallon
Director of Communications

Football Association of Ireland

[D24Saint]

The FAI clearly live in their own alternative reality. I find the naming of a club representative very poor on their behalf.

[nigel-harps1954]

The FAI clearly live in their own alternative reality. I find the naming of a club representative very poor on their behalf.

Yeah, I thought that to be rather childish of them. It's almost along the lines of "Well he started it, so.."

[placid casual]

I dunno.
Reads to me like the FAI are calling " bull$hit" on your clubs rep.

[Dodge]

Pats respond. Last paragraph is good and backs up their position that Kinsella couldn't agree to anything without board discussion

https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/761945974294142976

[D24Saint]

http://stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=7257#.V6YAtVUrJD8

our response to their response I wonder will they respond.

[SkStu]

St Pats. Fair play to your club. The response statement is fantastic. Serious respect. If the FAI continue to engage (I doubt we'll hear anything more from them) then I really hope your administration uses the opportunities to reinforce how useless the FAI and Delaney have been for the league.

Well done again.

[TonyD]

Pats respond. Last paragraph is good and backs up their position that Kinsella couldn't agree to anything without board discussion

https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/761945974294142976

I'm delighted to see our club stand up to the FAI. However, getting into war of words with them, if we get no support from other clubs, will almost certainly be to the detriment of the club. I absolutely do not trust Delaney and his henchmen not to get petty and vindicitive over this. The clubs must stick together.

By the way, Fran Gavin in particular, as a former player, should hang his head in shame for standing over this.

[Mr A]

Am really hoping Denis O Connor gets involved in this row. Just for the laugh.

[nigel-harps1954]

Right now, just after this Pats statement, is the ideal time for the rest of the clubs to weigh in and back them and Derry.
That was a bloody superb statement and that last paragraph in itself is worthy of some sort of award.

[legendz]

The Board of St Patrick's Athletic agreed to continue to engage with the PCA as these points were common to most clubs and there was complete agreement. These were based around further clarity in areas such as transparency on revenue received by the FAI on behalf of the League from UEFA, FIFA, Sponsorship, Government, municipalities, etc.Seems a very important and reasonable request.

[legendz]

Right now, just after this Pats statement, is the ideal time for the rest of the clubs to weigh in and back them and Derry.
That was a bloody superb statement and that last paragraph in itself is worthy of some sort of award.

Will Harps weigh in and back them?

[SkStu]

Will Harps weigh in and back them?

You realize we're all just fans...?

[Lim till i die]

I can't see st pats angle here. Unless Kelleher is pulling and this is them beginning to withdraw from senior football in a blaze of glory.

PCA as a group is, I'd imagine, about as useful as Alan Byrne's bad leg.

If anyone on here thinks the likes of a Finn Harps or a bray are going to come out strong against the FAI I have some vantage club tickets to sell them.

Even First Division Champions League Cup Finalists 2016 Limerick FC have spent the last couple of years bending over for honest John and we're (provided Pat o Sullivan is in a good mood) about as financially independent as you'll get in this league.

If a breakaway was to happen it would be ten or twelve clubs max. Anyone who thinks the current motley crew would be capable of running anything more complicated than a raffle would do well to think back to the bord gais/harp lager days. The only grass was three foot high and on the terraces and the only wages were paid via chipper van or the inside of your boots.

[legendz]

You realize we're all just fans...?Some people have contacts. Some don't. Enjoy your local LoI team in action and have a nice day! :)

[Longfordian]

Whatever this entails


The FAI has an extremely positive history in assisting and working with St Patrick's Athletic in recent times, including through development planning for proposed new facilities and through assistance in preparing Richmond Park for the hosting of UEFA Champions League and Europa League games, and across a broad range of areas.

I don't fancy Pats chances of getting it again. They'll be number 1 on Delaney's sh*t list.

[White Horse]

http://blamemyfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hari-kari-3a-900x471.jpg

There is something very admirable about the stance taken by Pats.

[TonyD]

http://blamemyfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hari-kari-3a-900x471.jpg

There is something very admirable about the stance taken by Pats.

;);) Doesn't have to be that way though. A unified response from all clubs is needed. Derry were first to stick their heads up, we've now upped the ante. If Dundalk in particular were to weigh in now, with their current high media profile, it could be game changing. I realise they might be fearful that the FAI could screw them up over the euro games, but if they did that it would create some seriously bad press for the FAI. We need journalists to run with this too, but of course they are mostly too concerned with who Jose Mourinho is going to sign for 100 million, or whether Dundalk might get a "glamour tie" against Celtic.

[colonelwest]

To be fair Dan McDonnell has been taking on all comers about it on twitter and Neil O'Riordan would be doing the same if he wasn't sunning himself on the Copacabana, a lot of coverage on the42 and a few other outlets as well.

We're in between a rock and a hard place with it, I've no doubt our owners and board agree 100% with Pats and Derry but the FAI have us over a barrel with using Landsdowne for the Legia game and the support behind the scenes they've given us so far in Europe this summer (video analysis, scout reports of teams etc etc) that we wouldn't have a hope of doing ourselves, I've a feeling we'll stay silent on the matter for the next couple of weeks anyway.

Interesting few months ahead anyway with the participation agreement up at the end of this season and the half arsed Conroy report gathering dust already, much like the last few. For me that was mostly common sense and stuff already in place and a pie in the sky plan to split the league as was tried in Scotland and failed miserably.

If the clubs can all row in together and use this furore as a start to make a stand against Delaney and the FAI it'll only work to the clubs advantage with the participation agreement up at the end of the season. We need to get some cast iron guarantees down on paper and contracted legally obligations wise from both the clubs and moreso the association going forward for any new participation agreement to be signed. Plus the good old fudge of we can't tell you how much we make on fines/ sponsorship/ tv rights etc due to confidentiality clauses bull they've been pulling can easily be sorted by having the clubs and the leagued detailed as FAI stakeholders, if they're not already. Ok, joe public doesn't need to know the specifics but the clubs sure as hell do and are entitled to.

[outspoken]

Hopefully the FAI relegate Pats and Derry......Only chance of us staying up haha

I'm joking of course, fair play Pats.