Letter in today's Tribune

[Réiteoir]

In today's Sunday Tribune one George Dillon of Iona Road, Dublin 9 suggests that the LoI should agree to withdraw from next year's Champions League and nominate Liverpool instead - because "Liverpool have far more Irish fans than any Eircom League champion" :mad: :mad: :mad:

[A face]

What i muppet ... will he get a few letters that disagree with him i wonder ??

[EnDai]

Jesus, thats just fúcking ridiculous!! I hope he gets his legs broken in some unfortunate accident, soon. :rolleyes: Seriously though, what a moron, that said; if he was the fastest sperm, I guess we can be lucky, imagine what the loser in that race would have had to say!

I know most of you detest Shelbourne, but would any of you like to see them make way for Liverpool? (Remember to take into account leage co-efficient etc ;)).

[niamh]

Liverpool do not deserve to be in the competition at the expense of another clubs. They had their chance to qualify through the Premiership and they knew they were not guaranteed a spot even if their won the Champions League.
Shels earned themselves the right to be there. Liverpool have not.

[Poor Student]

For God's sake. I hope the letter was a joke or tongue in cheek.

[pete]

No surprise that the Tribune printed it either.

:rolleyes:

[Troy.McClure]

Picture of George Dillon of Iona Road, Dublin 9

[1 9 2 8]

The letter in full


Serving Irish Football Fans?

One solution to Liverpool’s difficulty in getting into next years champions league would be if the FAI agreed to forego entering the Eircom league champions and nominate Liverpool instead.
The fact is, whether you like or not, Liverpool have far more Irish fans than any Eircom league champion.In return Liverpool could play a friendly against an Eircom league selection, or maybe even parade the champions cup through Dublin
George Dillon
18 Iona Road
Dublin 9

I hope this is a p!ss take :mad:

[Slash/ED]

Definite píss take I'd say.

[Sheridan]

Picture of George Dillon of Iona Road, Dublin 9

:D :D :D

[Poor Student]

Definite píss take I'd say.

Definately not I'd say from the way it is written. Probably one of the many who are utterly and totally oblivous to the eL. The kind who imagines it is played on a park pitch in front of 50 people.

[Slash/ED]

Definately not I'd say from the way it is written. Probably one of the many who are utterly and totally oblivous to the eL. The kind who imagines it is played on a park pitch in front of 50 people.

I don't know, bad and all as people in this country are, I refuse to believe anyone could be that thick.

[1 9 2 8]

. The kind who imagines it is played on a park pitch in front of 50 people.
It is in Galway :D

[Poor Student]

I don't know, bad and all as people in this country are, I refuse to believe anyone could be that thick.

I was over exaggerating a bit for effect. However many people look at you like you have two heads if you tell them you are going/went to an eL game as if you are going to something that bad.

[gaf1983]

Why would it have to be an Irish team that foregoes it's place anyway? Surely there are loads of Liverpool fans in Wales and Scandinavia too, so why should it be an Irish team that gives up their place? That idea is ridiculous. As a Liverpool fan I don't believe we any extra allowances should be made to allow us take part in the Champions League next season - we knew the rules at the start of the season, that if we wanted to qualify we would have to do so by finishing in the top 4 in the league and we blew that chance. It's not like the Champions League is unusual in that the champions don't automatically qualify for the next year's competition - if you look at Brazil, they still have to qualify for next years World Cup despite being world champions.

[Slash/ED]

I was over exaggerating a bit for effect. However many people look at you like you have two heads if you tell them you are going/went to an eL game as if you are going to something that bad.

Oh I know that, I meant I don't think anyone could be as stupid as the person who sent in that letter unless they were taking the píss.

[Troy.McClure]

In return Liverpool could play a friendly against an Eircom league selection, or maybe even parade the champions cup through Dublin


We could have a good ol' rendition of Rule Britania too while we're at it :rolleyes:

[A face]

Liverpool aren't good enough to compete in it in 2006 .... they didn't get enough points in their domestic league .... end of !!

The rules dont make allowances for the previous winners .... end of !!

Its really a case of tuff shít for the 'pool and all their plastic OIrish fans .... fúck 'em is what i say !!

[A face]

"or maybe even parade the champions cup through Dublin"


Not a chance mate .... very strict guidelines when it comes to bomb scares !! ;)

[kdjaC]

I don't know, bad and all as people in this country are, I refuse to believe anyone could be that thick.


Casual day in work last month were playing you lot that night so wore in my Away jersey.

Boss from talla " Nice jersey is that Stockport or Bury?"
Transport manager from Stockport "no your fcukwit thats a pats jersey, Des Byrne went there didnt he? "
Workmate(pool fan) "didnt know you could buy EL jerseys, is there an EL shop somewhere?"
Boss from talla " oh im a Rovers fan might go when they move here"
Me ...sobs uncontrollably.


kdjac

[Éanna]

Liverpool do not deserve to be in the competition at the expense of another clubs. They had their chance to qualify through the Premiership and they knew they were not guaranteed a spot even if their won the Champions League.
Shels earned themselves the right to be there. Liverpool have not.
They shouldn't even have been there in the first place! When was the last time they won a league :rolleyes:

[jofyisgod]

Liverpool aren't good enough to compete in it in 2006 .... they didn't get enough points in their domestic league .... end of !!

The rules dont make allowances for the previous winners .... end of !!

Its really a case of tuff shít for the 'pool and all their plastic OIrish fans .... fúck 'em is what i say !!

Spot on there Face. This is so ridiculous it's not even funny. What is this guy on in all seriousness...


EDIT-Just found this:-http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/~peoplesr/forums/showthread.php?t=42714

When people from Cork are more interested in this shíte, well-what can I say?

[Anto McC]

I'm not an angry man,but between this and the Ireland result I've turned into the Incredable Hulk.Think i might just take a walk upto Dublin 9 and p*ss on your mans doorstep.

[A face]

I've turned into the Incredable Hulk

Think i might just take a walk upto Dublin 9 and p*ss on your mans doorstep.

I dont think you'll get to the end of your street if you've turned into the Hulk .... they'll have zoo keepers out after ya !! :p

[Anto McC]

I dont think you'll get to the end of your street if you've turned into the Hulk .... they'll have zoo keepers out after ya !! :p

:D :D :D

[BohDiddley]

Spot on there Face. This is so ridiculous it's not even funny. What is this guy on in all seriousness...


EDIT-Just found this:-http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/~peoplesr/forums/showthread.php?t=42714

When people from Cork are more interested in this shíte, well-what can I say?
Think you'll have a shorter walk from Pearse Street than that D2! My guess is that this letter originated in the Tribune's office, in Baggot St, which is ... D2.

It's a wind-up by one of their Irish football-hating, English junket-loving hacks. The kind who, if you'll excuse a little Shels-baiting, might have patronisingly turned up in Lansdowne for your last European adventure, only to stay away in their droves ever since.

The Tribune ran a peice a few years ago saying that the EL should just give up because it couldn't compete. I don't know for sure, but I'd say if a newspaper in just about any other country in Europe wrote such an article there'd be a run on stakes and kindling: imagine a French journo saying everyone should follow Spanish footie because it was clearly superior! But, for some bizarre reason that has to do with our national make-up, that sort of inferiority complex seems to be admired here.

[A face]

for some bizarre reason that has to do with our national make-up, that sort of inferiority complex seems to be admired here.

Exactly ... it pathetic to say the least !!

[harry crumb]

Think you'll have a shorter walk from Pearse Street than that D2! My guess is that this letter originated in the Tribune's office, in Baggot St, which is ... D2.

It's a wind-up by one of their Irish football-hating, English junket-loving hacks. The kind who, if you'll excuse a little Shels-baiting, might have patronisingly turned up in Lansdowne for your last European adventure, only to stay away in their droves ever since.

The Tribune ran a peice a few years ago saying that the EL should just give up because it couldn't compete. I don't know for sure, but I'd say if a newspaper in just about any other country in Europe wrote such an article there'd be a run on stakes and kindling: imagine a French journo saying everyone should follow Spanish footie because it was clearly superior! But, for some bizarre reason that has to do with our national make-up, that sort of inferiority complex seems to be admired here.

Excellent post.

[Anto McC]

Think you'll have a shorter walk from Pearse Street than that D2! My guess is that this letter originated in the Tribune's office, in Baggot St, which is ... D2.

It's a wind-up by one of their Irish football-hating, English junket-loving hacks. The kind who, if you'll excuse a little Shels-baiting, might have patronisingly turned up in Lansdowne for your last European adventure, only to stay away in their droves ever since.

The Tribune ran a peice a few years ago saying that the EL should just give up because it couldn't compete. I don't know for sure, but I'd say if a newspaper in just about any other country in Europe wrote such an article there'd be a run on stakes and kindling: imagine a French journo saying everyone should follow Spanish footie because it was clearly superior! But, for some bizarre reason that has to do with our national make-up, that sort of inferiority complex seems to be admired here.

I agree with Harry Crumb it's an excellent post BohDiddley and i will take that short walk you mentioned,on Tuesday i will go to the Turbine offices and hand in a letter and will request they print it as a rubuttal to his statment,becuase even if it is meant as a joke it's not that funny.What do we say to my chances of it being printed,about the same of me giving them scumbags my money even to see if they do print it.

[Sonic]

D2 red he lives in iona road he cant be too far away from ya maybe you could pay him a visit on behalf of us all :rolleyes:

[Anto McC]

D2 red he lives in iona road he cant be too far away from ya maybe you could pay him a visit on behalf of us all :rolleyes:

Well my original plan if you hadn't seen it was to p*ss on his doorstep but this would confirm everything he had thought about the EL and it's supporters. :rolleyes:

[Xlex]

I know most of you detest Shelbourne, but would any of you like to see them make way for Liverpool? (Remember to take into account leage co-efficient etc ;)).

What if Shels were to give Liverpool your place for their co-efficient?

You give co-efficient too much credit. One run you've given us, against all the nothing ones?

[Slash/ED]

What if Shels were to give Liverpool your place for their co-efficient?

You give co-efficient too much credit. One run you've given us, against all the nothing ones?

one run is all we've given you? Nice selective memory Xlex. Beautifully ignoreing the first away win in something like two decades we got, and the fact that no Irish side has won more European ties than us. All 'nothing ones' I suppose.

[Éanna]

in fairness to the tribune, they've ahad a couple of very good articles on rovers lately.

[Xlex]

of course it's selective.... no anorak here...

How about that co-efficient?:)

[hamish]

Paddy Murray of the Tribune wrote that "soccer" is becoming a "lousy game".
The Turbine is great if you're into eggball or Gah. It is a load of rubbish and that letter writer mirrors what it's "sports" journalists think of footie.
I wouldn't be surprised if, as a post above stated it originated in Baggotrath Avenue - that's where the actual entry door into the their office is for anyone wishing to go and protest.

Let me give you an example of what they're like.

In December 1999 I ran a schools international in Glebe North. I sent EACH sports journalist a press release, invitations to game and post match dinner, reminder letters, called in repeatedly and spoke at length with journalists to encourage them - any of them - to come. I really worked my ass off to get them to come.
I offered to drive them to the game, provide them that post match meal free, interviews with the players/officials etc, and even offered to drive them home after the game.

I got a polite thanks but no thanks.

The only paper that was enthusiastic and turned up was the Star and the Herald took my match report.

Need I say any more about those shower of fcukers.

I'm absolutely delighted to see they are in trouble.

ANY paper that neglects football in its sports pages is going to lose because it is soccer (sorry) that drives sports pages, including Irish football. Why is Tuesday's Star and Monday's Herald so well read??

[Anto McC]

Iona road if i'm not mistaken is a 2 minute walk from Dayler,so maybe the next Bohs are at home a few fans can.............. :eek:

[BohDiddley]

That might be unwise. Good therapy perhaps, but unwise.

I think this 'letter' in the Tribune presents an opportunity. The newly reformed supporters' association should write a robust response, not just to the Tribune, but to every other newspaper that carries reader letters, and should put out a statement nailing this nonsense once and for all.

[Anto McC]

I think this 'letter' in the Tribune presents an opportunity. The newly reformed supporters' association should write a robust response, not just to the Tribune, but to every other newspaper that carries reader letters, and should put out a statement nailing this nonsense once and for all.

Think i can say that the writing of a response won't happpen.

[Da Real Rover]

This kind of ****e saying that Irish teams arnt good enough for the Champions League is only going to get more common. Its Merchandise United and Royalty Madrid and the rest of that group of European super powers that are crippling the European game. Michel Platini whos going to be running for election for Fifa president in 2007 wants to make it into an actual CHAMPIONS League and not a super club league. But if Platini does give an automatic qualification to all the winners of European domestic leagues, the group of around 20 clubs including every major european club will break away and form there own competition. But Beckenbauer is now favourite for the presidency and he will keep the status quo and the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.

[Anto McC]

This kind of ****e saying that Irish teams arnt good enough for the Champions League is only going to get more common. Its Merchandise United and Royalty Madrid and the rest of that group of European super powers that are crippling the European game. Michel Platini whos going to be running for election for Fifa president in 2007 wants to make it into an actual CHAMPIONS League and not a super club league. But if Platini does give an automatic qualification to all the winners of European domestic leagues, the group of around 20 clubs including every major european club will break away and form there own competition. But Beckenbauer is now favourite for the presidency and he will keep the status quo and the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.

Sport copying politics.

[Poor Student]

I thought Platini wanted something like a 256 club straight knockout competition? As you said G14 simply wouldn't let it happen.

[pete]

No surprise that G14 want Liverpool in CL next season as its in their own interests to set the precedent.

Seems to be more important to compete in the CL than actially win it these days. All about money!

[mypost]

They shouldn't even have been there in the first place! When was the last time they won a league?

May 2005!!!!! :D :D


"Brazil don't qualify automatically for the World Cup", blah, blah, blah, :rolleyes:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :mad:

When will people stop comparing Liverpool's Champions League success to Brazil winning the World Cup? That rule was created to free up a place so Australia could qualify for the World Cup direct from the Oceania qualifiers. The rule was later changed, so that the Aussies still have to play-off to reach the World Cup, and the WC winners will probably be automatically re-entered into the next tournament, and rightly so. In any case, comparing rules for winners of International Football Competitions is completely different to rules (or lack of them) for winners of Club Competitions. Any comparison of the rules between the two levels of football is pointless and irrelevant.

As a Liverpool fan, I personally don't give a damn how we get into next season's CL, as long as we get there. If that's at the expense of Shels, Torshavn, or Alania Vladikavkaz, I don't honestly care, as long as we're in. We won the competition last year, so we have as much right to compete as any of those, or anyone else who qualified through their domestic league.

UEFA should have considered the possibility that a team who qualified for the Champions League via the qualifying round could go on to win it that season, having failed to qualify for the following season's competition through their domestic league. The way the CL is structured, there was always a possibilty of it happening, and now it has. We are a member of G-14, and I'd hate to be the UEFA blazer who tells them, that Liverpool cannot participate in next season's CL, as reigning champion. There would be civil war among the clubs, and would lead to Europe's leading clubs breaking away from the association, and forming their own league. UEFA can't survive without their involvement financially.

Liverpool will be in next season's CL, barring a travesty, on moral, ethical, and sporting grounds. We are the reigning champions, so our non-participation would render next season's competition worthless. If you don't like it, blame UEFA, blame AC Milan, blame Everton for fluking their way to waste one of England's CL qualifying places next season, blame whoever you like, but common sense will prevail over flimsy regulations.

[pete]

Going by rules of 2004-2005 Liverpool have no right to a place in next years competition. The rules would have to be changed to allow Liverpool entry at the expense of another team.

[Aberdonian Stu]

I don't think the rules should be changed just for Liverpool BUT from next season I think the rules should be changed. I have disagreed with this rule from the get go, frankly it basically punishes a nation for being good as it says that a nation can't have enough quality teams to fill their quota and also produce the competition winner.

Changing after the fact, just to accommodate Liverpool, is both foolish and neglects the greater wrong that this rule represents.

Personally I preferred it when there were just 24 teams in the group stages (which was the format up to and including the year Man U won it) as there was greater quality throughout the tournament.

[patsh]

1. As a Liverpool fan, I personally don't give a damn how we get into next season's CL, as long as we get there. If that's at the expense of Shels, Torshavn, or Alania Vladikavkaz, I don't honestly care, as long as we're in.

2. We won the competition last year, so we have as much right to compete as any of those, or anyone else who qualified through their domestic league.
1. What are you doing on an eL forum? Isn't there a barstool somewhere with your name on it?

2. You HAVE NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER. Do you not understand the quite simple qualification rules?


Liverpool will be in next season's CL, barring a travesty, on moral, ethical, and sporting grounds. We are the reigning champions, so our non-participation would render next season's competition worthless. If you don't like it, blame UEFA, blame AC Milan, blame Everton for fluking their way to waste one of England's CL qualifying places next season, blame whoever you like, but common sense will prevail over flimsy regulations.
Are you for real?
It's EVERYBODY else fault except the team that DID NOT QUAILFY?

We should chance your "philosophy" in this country, rules & regulations are flimsy, it's a biased, warped view of things that must prevail.
I'm sure there are plenty of criminals in the country who would love to share your ideas.....:rolleyes:

[ThatGuy]

What can be done? UEFA can't take away a spot from another country. Clubs who believe that they have qualified have already taken this into account for their budgets I would imagine.

Also, the principle of allowing 5 clubs from one country in the European Cup is just wrong.

This exact situation happened a couple of years ago and the Spanish FA took the spot away from the 4th placed team to allow the scum of Spain entry into the CL. The FA have already assured Everton that they are in, so tough **** Liverpool.

And the World Cup comparison is valid. The point about forcing the winners to qualify is also valid. That gives a smaller nation a chance of qualifying, while not guaranteeing the CL champions a spot gives a smaller club the chance of qualifying.

[dcfcsteve]

Everyone is blaiming UEFA over all of this, but the real source of any perceived problem for Liverpool fans is the FA.

UEFA can't take qualifying places away from those who've been nominated by their national FA's - only the FA's themselves can. Hence - when Madrid finished 5th in La Liga but were stull put through to the following year's CL as reigning Champions it wasn't by UEFA, it was by the Spanish FA.

The English FA have made their decision - that the Top 4 in the Premiership will be their country's reps in the CL next year, but are happy for UEFA to take the sh!t instead in the hope that it bullies them into giving the FA another place.

See through the smokescreen Liverpool fans....

[Wiseguy]

It's like this.Rules are rules and everyone was aware of them before the competition started.Liverpool were not good enough in their own league to qualify and that's the bottom line.Rules should not be changed to suit anyone.It's tough on Liverpool but that's life so they should get over it.