20 Teams, 2 Divisions, 1 National League

[2 Year Contract]

It appears we have a new Clones Town in the LOI now :eek:

John Delaney At Mounthawk Park as a guest of Kerry FC, and spoofing about hoiw much money he's handed out from his own pocket :o This sort of nonesense risks killing the goodwill that exists towards Kerry FC around the league.

(2) Daniel McDonnell on X: "Presented without comment (But if the Masters is making you feel queasy then best ignore this) https://t.co/2wBwI4Grw8" / X (https://x.com/McDonnellDan/status/1911528451565060563)

Whatever about that player registration thing, Kerry deserve a hefty points deduction for this association alone! ;)

Truly hilarious stuff that one of the lads in the picture is the one that wrote the article!

[listowelceltic]

Nothing to do with Kerry fc. This is the kerry District league who John Regan was Secretary for over 40 years. They own Mounthawk Park.

[Shearer]

Whatever about that player registration thing, Kerry deserve a hefty points deduction for this association alone! ;)

Truly hilarious stuff that one of the lads in the picture is the one that wrote the article!
And didn't say a bad word about Delaney. What are the chances.

[Nesta99]

Does he by any chance think his image has been restored by consultancy and he is now rebuilding his support base? Beware as he is like a hard to kill off tape and fluke worm cross!

[Nesta99]

Dont see why aligning registration periods is an issue. Why not allow a league play a specific season as long as its members are not looking for access to climb the game? Dundalk Summer League has always been popular long before a Summer calender, no issues, and the winter leagues got on with things. If the shoe was on the other foot I wouldnt like the Summer League to have to go in Dundalk. So maybe there is some listening to do!

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0416/1508056-fai-wants-to-meet-leagues-over-aligned-calendar-issue/

[Elfman]

Dont see why aligning registration periods is an issue. Why not allow a league play a specific season as long as its members are not looking for access to climb the game? Dundalk Summer League has always been popular long before a Summer calender, no issues, and the winter leagues got on with things. If the shoe was on the other foot I wouldnt like the Summer League to have to go in Dundalk. So maybe there is some listening to do!

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0416/1508056-fai-wants-to-meet-leagues-over-aligned-calendar-issue/
It's been hard to get the full picture when the junior leagues will only argue "we want the right of choice". This only makes sense if it's followed up by reasons (facility demands & holidays impacting officials). But as far as I can tell, the FAI isn't telling them when to play the leagues, only when they can register players, so these argument would seem to be moot.

My limited understanding of it is that different registration periods mean clashes, such as the U14s LOI versus the Kennedy Cup argument a few years ago. The cynical view is that one registration period will benefit the LOI clubs more, because it's aligned to their season and won't lose/gain players mid-season. However, the alternative view is that it will reduce the level of admin at junior level, potentially freeing up time for actual football activities.

[Elfman]

Dan McDonnell gives a better picture in his coverage of the same press conference: https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fai-grassroots-chief-ger-mcdermott-says-calendar-year-plan-will-proceed/a1909670381.html

It doesn't help the junior leagues argument when this Carlow guy comes out with "85% of members are against it" even though 33% of them are already on a Jan to Dec registration period and 56% of them voted to change everyone to this period. His maths don't add up.

[culloty82]

Nothing to do with Kerry fc. This is the kerry District league who John Regan was Secretary for over 40 years. They own Mounthawk Park.

Not to mention that, for better or worse, Delaney's association with both Murt and O'Regan long pre-dates his involvement with the FAI.

[culloty82]

Monaghan United out of the running, but Mayo and Klub Kildare expected to be selected, along with SETU Carlow (presumably in an arrangement with CK United?):

https://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-united-out-of-national-league-running-258552

[The Bowler]

Will be interesting to see what day of the week these fixtures will be played. Putting the fixtures on a Friday night will result in 75%+ of players in full time employment opting out, and it becoming a league for those in full time education. If you have a job, you won't be able to just take every second Friday afternoon off. So presume the FAI will put the fixtures in a Friday evening so !

[Buckett]

I thought that each club was free to decide on which day they play their home games

[Nesta99]

Monaghan United out of the running, but Mayo and Klub Kildare expected to be selected, along with SETU Carlow (presumably in an arrangement with CK United?):

https://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-united-out-of-national-league-running-258552

Cant say Im disappointed on that, mixed memories if Mon Utd, not ones id like to revisit and I think Dundalk should be working that catchment for the academy with a lout of Easy Monaghan already more Dundalk than whomever plays in Gortakeegan.

[The Bowler]

I thought that each club was free to decide on which day they play their home games

Fair point bucket, Sligo and Longford play Saturdays at home so assume the same rules will still apply. I think it would benefit the league greatly however the league mandated a Sat or Sun as the days, travelling 300 mile round trips every few weeks, or even once a month to play away games on a Friday evening will still result in players having to take significant time off work and maybe deciding to opt out accordingly. For the 3rd tier to thrive, the quality will have to be maintained, and therefore opening up the opportunity to the maximum pool of capable players by mandating it to weekend days would be a positive move.

[EatYerGreens]

Will be interesting to see what day of the week these fixtures will be played. Putting the fixtures on a Friday night will result in 75%+ of players in full time employment opting out, and it becoming a league for those in full time education. If you have a job, you won't be able to just take every second Friday afternoon off. So presume the FAI will put the fixtures in a Friday evening so !

Would surely be no point these games going up against the main LOI fixtures?

[sbgawa]

Would surely be no point these games going up against the main LOI fixtures?

I heard that they would likely be Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon games as a lot of the players who would be playing LSL or MSL would be used to playhing those times.

[Elfman]

Monaghan United out of the running, but Mayo and Klub Kildare expected to be selected, along with SETU Carlow (presumably in an arrangement with CK United?):

https://www.northernsound.ie/sport/monaghan-united-out-of-national-league-running-258552
Great spot culloty82, I hadn't heard anything for a while and was keen for an update.

Very interesting point about CK United. I thought there might be something on there Twitter mentioning SETU but could only find this post, advertising for a course at the place:
https://x.com/ckutdfc/status/1913223129037422693

[culloty82]

Update from Fran Gavin on the National League - the whittling down process continues, but no specifics on how many clubs are currently involved, focus now on facilities and community engagement, mentions that the focus has been on clubs engaging with the FAI on the process rather than the reverse:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OB6xzezjUUM

[EatYerGreens]

Update from Fran Gavin on the National League - the whittling down process continues, but no specifics on how many clubs are currently involved, focus now on facilities and community engagement, mentions that the focus has been on clubs engaging with the FAI on the process rather than the reverse:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OB6xzezjUUM

At what point does the 'Having a slick DVD' round come into the filtering process?

[nr637]

At what point does the 'Having a slick DVD' round come into the filtering process?


Some of the clubs that have been mentioned in previous posts already have some great facilities in place and have plenty of support and engagement with their communities. I think it's a great option for these clubs who are looking for a new platform that will help and encourage their playing pool to reach.

[EatYerGreens]

Some of the clubs that have been mentioned in previous posts already have some great facilities in place and have plenty of support and engagement with their communities. I think it's a great option for these clubs who are looking for a new platform that will help and encourage their playing pool to reach.

Yeah, yeah - but have they made a fancy DVD as part of the process?

[Nesta99]

Yeah, yeah - but have they made a fancy DVD as part of the process?

Now now, its only Dundalk fans that are allowed snipe at fancy DVDs as nauseum every ossible opportunity....we reserve that right! ;)

[Keen2win]

LTFC looking about 80% likely to be demoted to the 3rd league. Sad as I grew up with LTFC in Europe and winning trophies. If worst come to worst, at least we will have an active X account which will provide solace to our fan base.

[pineapple stu]

There's no relegation this year though, is there? Who would you promote?

(That's even assuming the third division gets up and running next year. There's certainly progress towards it but you'll forgive me for being sceptical still)

[Keen2win]

No not this year, but there will be soon I would be almost certain it's going to happen.. tbh a 10 team premier is getting too small, they will need to start increasing it (albeit slowly) as to give clubs more of a chance to consolidate their position when there

Whoever wins the third division will get promoted.. Klub Kildare have been beating LTFC academy for years (not the year 2022 when we won the league by a goal with them second), so they will probably be strong. Mayo FC could turn out to be strong too. But clearly hard to predict as we don't even know what clubs are involved yet. LTFC getting 200 to games currently and wasting so much time and money on an academy that is no way linked to the first team who train in Dublin with Dublin managers and coaches - a complete anomaly in world football. This complete failure to progress local players in the midlands is fast catching up on us, but unfortunately in the club there doesn't seem to be many or any football people that see this as an issue - it's a huge issue and goes against the spirit in which LTFC was founded.

[Keen2win]

Sorry that should have been LTSMC, not LTFC. My apologies

[Another Bohemia]

No not this year, but there will be soon I would be almost certain it's going to happen.. tbh a 10 team premier is getting too small, they will need to start increasing it (albeit slowly) as to give clubs more of a chance to consolidate their position when there

Whoever wins the third division will get promoted.. Klub Kildare have been beating LTFC academy for years (not the year 2022 when we won the league by a goal with them second), so they will probably be strong. Mayo FC could turn out to be strong too. But clearly hard to predict as we don't even know what clubs are involved yet. LTFC getting 200 to games currently and wasting so much time and money on an academy that is no way linked to the first team who train in Dublin with Dublin managers and coaches - a complete anomaly in world football. This complete failure to progress local players in the midlands is fast catching up on us, but unfortunately in the club there doesn't seem to be many or any football people that see this as an issue - it's a huge issue and goes against the spirit in which LTFC was founded.

So you are concerned that a team like Klub Kildare will pass you because they are doing so well in the underage leagues. Your solution to this is to play more of the players who are regularly beaten by Klub Kildare underage teams. I think that may accelerate your clubs demise. If the lads aren't good enough at their current age level why would you promote them to the senior team to get a pasting every week. I'm all for more local players getting game time but they still need to be good enough to earn that game time. Can you say with confidence that these lads are good enough because your own merit based arguments point to them not being up to the level needed?

[Longfordian]

We've always had Dublin based players and managers going back well before joining the LOI. Albeit they'd usually have a core of locals too. But as said above if there was enough talent coming through to sustain a team based on locally based players then the Academy sides would be doing better. And if it was just down to poor coaching then they'd be signed up by other teams and show their ability there. These kids are seen by coaches all over the country from a very young age so there's no secret hidden superstars. I'm sure there have been a few that might have done a job but you need 25 players all able to compete to some extent at a national level. Every time the club has struggled there have been cries about playing the locals and too many Dublin players. But you can count on one hand the number of Longford born or based players who've made any kind of a go of LOI football in the last 25 years.

[Martinho II]

Tbh going back years there has always being a huge disconnect between the local soccer leagues, local schoolboy leagues and LTFC. Even with the local schoolboy leagues. Im pretty sure if club looked hard enough if there wasnt enough talent in Longford area try Cos Roscommon,Westmeath, Cavan or Meath. Strangely enough only 25 miles up the road in Athlone there seems to be more locally based players playing. I know that Athlone is a much bigger town but it shouldnt stop us tbh

[wonder88]

John Caulfield feels strongly that there is no point in having a 3rd division at this time. The premier division is too small and 4 provincial clubs are at present fighting to avoid relegation. As he points out 2 of them could go down this year, meaning they have to go part-time, how is that going to help grow soccer around the country? he asks. His suggestion is that there be no relegation this year (so the investment by clubs is not wasted), and promote 2 teams from the 1st division, giving a more balanced top tier next year. You would also take in 2 new teams from the "3rd level" into the first division, thus spreading the LoI more, and looks like a more realistic and less risky from of expansion that the current proposal.
I think his suggestion/idea has a lot of merit and hopefully will be supported by more people within the senior soccer community.

[Another Bohemia]

John Caulfield feels strongly that there is no point in having a 3rd division at this time. The premier division is too small and 4 provincial clubs are at present fighting to avoid relegation. As he points out 2 of them could go down this year, meaning they have to go part-time, how is that going to help grow soccer around the country? he asks. His suggestion is that there be no relegation this year (so the investment by clubs is not wasted), and promote 2 teams from the 1st division, giving a more balanced top tier next year. You would also take in 2 new teams from the "3rd level" into the first division, thus spreading the LoI more, and looks like a more realistic and less risky from of expansion that the current proposal.
I think his suggestion/idea has a lot of merit and hopefully will be supported by more people within the senior soccer community.

Didn't we have a 12 team premier division in the recent past? I believe each team played each other 3 times which is awful imo. Also if teams are overextending themselves trying to stay in the premier division a one year reprise isn't going to solve their problems, it's going to kick the can down the road and make any bill that's coming due even worse.

[pineapple stu]

2017 was the last time.

It's not the worst of suggestions in fairness. The Premier is booming; why not share things out a bit more?

Obviously the flip side is the First would probably turn into even more of a wasteland if you took out Dundalk and AN Other.

That said, given Cork were full-time in the First last year, I don't think Caulfield's comments that relegation means you "have" to go part-time hold water.

[2 Year Contract]

That said, given Cork were full-time in the First last year, I don't think Caulfield's comments that relegation means you "have" to go part-time hold water.

Likewise for Dundalk this year and Waterford when they were in the first division. Not to mention his own Galway side that went full time in the first division

[nr637]

John Caulfield feels strongly that there is no point in having a 3rd division at this time. The premier division is too small and 4 provincial clubs are at present fighting to avoid relegation. As he points out 2 of them could go down this year, meaning they have to go part-time, how is that going to help grow soccer around the country? he asks. His suggestion is that there be no relegation this year (so the investment by clubs is not wasted), and promote 2 teams from the 1st division, giving a more balanced top tier next year. You would also take in 2 new teams from the "3rd level" into the first division, thus spreading the LoI more, and looks like a more realistic and less risky from of expansion that the current proposal.
I think his suggestion/idea has a lot of merit and hopefully will be supported by more people within the senior soccer community.


I think the 10-team premier league has been excellent for the fans in terms of excitement and I also believe it's one of the main reasons Virgin TV decided to add coverage.
A 12-team league can create a cushion for some mid-table teams over the season while the current format stops that.
Just look at Bohs, poor results left them close to 8th position, Reynolds being considered for the sack and then a couple of wins and they are challenging for a top 3 position and all is well for the moment!

The third division format proposal is a necessary requirement for the league. There are so many well established non-league and junior clubs looking for a opportunity to be part of the FAI league format.
The FAI have started the process and the response of some 67 interested clubs show the need for this plan to begin.
Similarly the Women's league needs a second division added with relegation/promotion.

[pineapple stu]

I think the 10-team premier league has been excellent for the fans in terms of excitement and I also believe it's one of the main reasons Virgin TV decided to add coverage.
I don't think there's any evidence for that though. There's been seasons with uncompetitive 10-team leagues and sides cut adrift or romping to the title. And tight 12-team leagues.

I would say the league is more marketable now because the crowds are going through the roof and there's more interest in general. That started post-covid, not when the league changed to 10 teams (for the third or fourth time in the past 20 years)

[EatYerGreens]

Caulfield is right about a 12 team PD (Though could have raised it before so it didn't look like blatant self-interest).

There are usually one or two clubs in the FD who are 'too big' for the division and are biding their time until they're back in the PD. This year it's Dundalk. Last year it was Cork. The year before it was Galway and Waterford. A 12 team top tier would reduce the repetitiveness of fixtures and spread the money and TV coverage around a bit more. Rovers or Bohs visiting Bray or Harps in the PD would do a lot more to draw a crowd in those towns than an FD fixture ever would.

I see that the Cyrmru Premier is due to expand its top tier to 16 clubs after this coming season. Which will be interesting, as I doubt they have the depth of quality for that.

[EalingGreen]

Surely the only reason you would expand the PD from 10 to 12 is because the FD has plenty of teams who could compete at the higher level? Is that the case?

For if not, this might help the one or two clubs which did get moved up, while at the same time filleting the FD even more.

And in the context of a pyramid, enlarging the gap between PD and FD would only add to the difficulties caused by any gap between the FD and the third tier, not lessen them.

[EatYerGreens]

Surely the only reason you would expand the PD from 10 to 12 is because the FD has plenty of teams who could compete at the higher level? Is that the case?

It wouldn't need plenty who could compete at that level though. Just 2.


For if not, this might help the one or two clubs which did get moved up, while at the same time filleting the FD even more.

What really doesn't help the FD is having the team(s) that gets relegated into it every year going straight back up again. That's where the league is currently at now since Waterford and Galway got their act together and UCD finally found their level. Because there are now at least 11 clubs of a size which would suit the PD, but only room for 10 of them. It will do nothing for the other clubs in the FD if they know that they are essentially there to make up the numbers most years whilst they watch the relegated side(s) go back up at the first attempt, because they are that much bigger than them. With a 10 team league the gap between the PD and FD, relegated clubs aside, is already big and getting bigger all the time. It effectively locks the non-relegated sides out of PD promotion in 8 or 9 out of every 10 seasons.


And in the context of a pyramid, enlarging the gap between PD and FD would only add to the difficulties caused by any gap between the FD and the third tier, not lessen them.

I disagree with your assertion that an enlarged PD would increase the gap between it and the FD. I think it would actually reduce it - with the 12th-placed club essentially in a mid-tier between the 2 divisions. And it would give lots of FD clubs a shot at promotion and PD access that they would otherwise be locked out of.

[EalingGreen]

It wouldn't need plenty who could compete at that level though. Just 2.
Not so, since clubs go through bad times as well as good - just look eg at Dundalk or Cork. So that when (not if) members of the 12 go through a similarly lean spell, you need a pool of credible replacements to draw on from the FD, at least until Dundalk/Cork/Whoever sort themselves out.

Unless, of course, you're happy to see the Chosen Twelve essentially cemented into place in the PD, with one having to do penance in the FD for a season, before being inevitably promoted back up again, at the first time of asking.




What really doesn't help the FD is having the team(s) that gets relegated into it every year going straight back up again. That's where the league is currently at now since Waterford and Galway got their act together and UCD finally found their level. Because there are now at least 11 clubs of a size which would suit the PD, but only room for 10 of them. It will do nothing for the other clubs in the FD if they know that they are essentially there to make up the numbers most years whilst they watch the relegated side(s) go back up at the first attempt, because they are that much bigger than them. With a 10 team league the gap between the PD and FD, relegated clubs aside, is already big and getting bigger all the time. It effectively locks the non-relegated sides out of PD promotion in 8 or 9 out of every 10 seasons.
Absolutely.

But that yo-yo effect is merely a reflection of an existing gap in standards and resources between the two divisions. Taking the best two teams from the FD and locking them into the PD would further increase the gap between the two, since greater attendances/money/sponsorship/media etc would stay in an enssentially f-t PD, leaving the FD to try to live off the crumbs somewhere between p-t and well-expensed amateurism. Made worse by the fact you'd be talking about 8 clubs cast adrift, unless the two newcomers somehow managed to get up to FD standards quickly and stay there.

On the basis that "A rising tide floats all boats", what the LOI should be doing is raising standards across the board, starting from the ground up, so that the potential for developing the game at all levels, and in every part of the country, is encouraged and exploited. But unfortunately that takes vision and time, so that it is easier just to shuffle the existing set-up and hope that that works.



I disagree with your assertion that an enlarged PD would increase the gap between it and the FD. I think it would actually reduce it - with the 12th-placed club essentially in a mid-tier between the 2 divisions. And it would give lots of FD clubs a shot at promotion and PD access that they would otherwise be locked out of.How would they be "mid-tier"? What does that mean? They would be a top tier club, until they're not.

Anyhow, enlarging the PD would mean instead of PD teams 9 and 10 facing the prospect of relegation each season, it would be 11 and 12. Meaning that two more teams (9 and 10), by definition not really good enough to challenge at the top, would be insulated from the threat of relegation each season, too.

And what would that do for the FD?

[sbgawa]

Id be 100% against going back to a 12 team league.
We swap two home Dublin derbies against Bohs, Shels, Pats which generate substamtial home support and away fans which translates into Euros for a deason that is 3 games less and 3 big Dublin Derbies less..it would be a major financial hit.

Unless we dit it like Scotish Premier with 33 games then a 5 game top 6 playoff...that might mitigate some of the revenue loss bit then that presupposes that the big Dublin derby clubs all finiah top 6.
I realise im not thinking of the greater good here neccesarily but i also think that taking for instance Dundalk and 1 other out of the first division leaves a pretty weak division from which promoted clubs will potentially be cannon fodder when they come up.

[wonder88]

Of course clubs don't have to go part-time if relegated to the 1st division, Caulfield probably said 'likely to' in his interview with local media. My mistake.
However it is difficult to finance it over the long term I feel.
He comments were made during the the run of fixtures against Waterford, Sligo and Cork and pointing out the amount of work that goes into keeping provincial clubs competitive at the higher level in the LoI. He is putting forward the case of the clubs outside the pale, except Derry due to their backer, and questioning the current expansion plan of the departing FAI football director. Self-interest? not sure

[EalingGreen]

Of course clubs don't have to go part-time if relegated to the 1st division, Caulfield probably said 'likely to' in his interview with local media. My mistake.
However it is difficult to finance it over the long term I feel.
Your "long term" comment is pertinent, I'd say. So that a club like Dundalk could probably sustain f-t football in the FD for a season (two?), but what if they didn't bounce back quickly?

[EalingGreen]

Id be 100% against going back to a 12 team league.... ... Unless we dit it like Scotish Premier with 33 games then a 5 game top 6 playoff...that might mitigate some of the revenue loss bit then that presupposes that the big Dublin derby clubs all finiah top 6.The Premiership in NI also operates such a system, and even though we suffer the same Belfast vs Country disparity as the LOI (Dublin vs The Rest), I think most fans accept it as the best compromise.


I realise im not thinking of the greater good here neccesarily but i also think that taking for instance Dundalk and 1 other out of the first division leaves a pretty weak division from which promoted clubs will potentially be cannon fodder when they come up.It must inevitably weaken the FD.

While there is no guarantee that the PD would be that much strengthened; and even if it was, would that compensate for the damage to the FD?

Difficult questions.

[Keen2win]

Well I was asked a question just giving an answer.. yes I can say a number of our team are well good enough, 2 currently with Sligo first team. Some decided to stick to GAA instead of travelling to Dublin. A lot left with Elding..

As long as the academy and first team are split we are only pretending to be a football club, can't see how people don't see this.

Our best underage team ever from 3 years ago, just 1 still in club. A football club keeps its best players, we let Owen Elding walk away lol

[Keen2win]

A club should make it as easy as possible to progress through the levels. Academy players should be brought into senior training. This doesn't happen as first team trains in Dublin and has Dublin managers who literally do not look at or care about the Academy

Did we train in Dublin throughout the 80s and 90s? I don't know if we did or not. However the national league Academy system has changed a lot, and is the main reason the LOI is now booming. I remember people on here going against that at the time! Like some genius saying Academy football isn't experience lol, shur there were people saying Longford doesn't need a skatepark too there will always be pushback that's why it's so so important to always ask oneself the question: well what have you achieved and that will give an indication of whether one's opinion is worth anything really

[Keen2win]

Anyway who cares really, like so many others I am getting the f out of Longford

[sbgawa]

Off topic but have longford ever approached center parc to be a shirt sponsor with free tickets for longfors home matches for visitors the parc.
I stayed in the parc a few years ago and was going to one of the matches but it was rained off. Only for I'm half mad like the rest of us I wouldn't have known there was a match in longford and people are always looking to fill evenings on holidaay

[Keen2win]

Dear ChatGPT.....


Can you give me a number of quotes from top football managers about the importance of academy football


ChatGPT said:
Certainly! Here are several insightful quotes from top football managers and professionals emphasizing the importance of academy football and youth development:

⚽ Ole Gunnar Solskjær (Former Manchester United Manager)
“As Sir Matt [Busby] once said, if they're good enough, they're old enough. We are built on that tradition. We need young players coming through. It's important for the Academy and the players in the Academy to know that, yes, I am looking to progress players through.”
Manchester United

🧠 Arsène Wenger (Former Arsenal Manager)
“We do not buy superstars. We make them.”
Jobs In Football

“Young players need freedom of expression to develop as creative players... they should be encouraged to try skills without fear of failure.”
Jobs In Football

🏆 Sir Matt Busby (Legendary Manchester United Manager)
“Youth development is the lifeblood of any successful football club.”
Bookey

🇨🇱 Manuel Pellegrini (Manager of Real Betis, Formerly of Manchester City)
“For me, the youth academy has a fundamental role in every club.”
List Quotes
+1
BrainyQuote
+1

🏴 Gareth Southgate (England National Team Manager)
“The quality of our academy system is very high, as good as anything in the world. Around the country, lots of people in youth development are keen to get together and find a solution to that 17-to-21 age bracket and how we get those players playing.”
List Quotes

🏟️ Harry Kane (England Captain and Striker)
“The more players who come through the academy and make it into the first team, that's what we want. Not just for the club but for the country. If they're young English players coming through, that's fantastic. I'm happy to be part of that.”
List Quotes

🇷🇴 Gheorghe Hagi (Former Romanian International and Manager)
“If my academy has become an example for others then that’s a very good thing... My mission now is to help others achieve their dreams, in football and in life.”
Inside FIFA

These quotes underscore the pivotal role that youth academies play in nurturing talent, fostering club identity, and ensuring the long-term success of football teams. Managers and players alike recognize that investing in young players not only benefits individual careers but also strengthens the sport as a whole.

If you're interested in more quotes or insights on this topic, feel free to ask!










Sources
You said:
Is there any plausible reason a serious football club would have their academy train 100km + away from the first team?


ChatGPT said:
It is unusual for a serious football club to have their academy based over 100 km away from the first team, but it’s not entirely implausible. There are a few possible reasons—though each comes with significant drawbacks. Here's a breakdown of plausible justifications, followed by why it's generally a bad idea.

✅ Plausible Reasons (Under Specific Circumstances)
1. Legacy Infrastructure
The academy may have been established before the current first-team facilities were built or moved.

It might be located in a region with a strong youth development tradition (e.g., club roots, successful past graduates).

Example: Some South American or African clubs operate satellite academies far from the senior base due to historical or local talent pipelines.

2. Geographic Talent Pool Access
Placing the academy in a region rich in young talent—especially if the first team is in a smaller or less populated city.

Could give the club a competitive edge in scouting and recruiting early.

But: Most top clubs address this through regional academies or satellite centers, not their main academy.

3. Cost or Space Advantages
Land and operational costs could be far cheaper in rural or less urbanized areas.

More room for facilities, accommodation, and pitches.

4. Regulatory or Political Issues
In some countries, zoning laws, tax incentives, or governmental partnerships might encourage academies in specific locations.

❌ Why It’s a Problem for a Serious Club
Integration Issues

One of the main goals of elite academies is to create a pathway to the first team.

Distance makes it much harder for academy players to train with or even observe the first team regularly.

Scouting and Monitoring Challenges

First-team coaches and technical staff will rarely, if ever, see youth players in action.

Psychological Distance

Young players feel disconnected from the club's main identity and environment.

Less inspired if they don't see a real route into senior football.

Operational Inefficiencies

Logistics around player movement (training invites, injuries, emergencies) become slow and costly.

Reputation and Recruitment

Top talents and families may prefer clubs where youth development is closely aligned with first-team football.

🧠 Final Thought:
While there may be some unique or historical justification, having your main academy 100+ km away from your first-team base is generally seen as a sign of strategic misalignment in modern football. Top clubs (like Ajax, Barcelona, Manchester City) integrate youth and senior setups closely—for good reason.

If you're looking into a specific club or situation, I can analyze that too.

...

Think I'll stick with my own informed observations on this one backed up by top professional managers and Artificial Intelligence!!!

[LTFC]

Id be 100% against going back to a 12 team league.
We swap two home Dublin derbies against Bohs, Shels, Pats which generate substamtial home support and away fans which translates into Euros for a deason that is 3 games less and 3 big Dublin Derbies less..it would be a major financial hit.

Unless we dit it like Scotish Premier with 33 games then a 5 game top 6 playoff...that might mitigate some of the revenue loss bit then that presupposes that the big Dublin derby clubs all finiah top 6.
I realise im not thinking of the greater good here neccesarily but i also think that taking for instance Dundalk and 1 other out of the first division leaves a pretty weak division from which promoted clubs will potentially be cannon fodder when they come up.

I dont agree with one of your reasons - that our best supported clubs would lose out on gate receipts! But I think the jeopardy and competition in a 10 team league works for us, at the moment.
But if it was to grow, Dundalk for obvious reasons, then Treaty, Limerick being bigger than Galway and Waterford. From the remaining 8, argurments could be made for a few of them, but hard to see over a longer term.

In saying all that, I dont think all our exisiting 10/11 full time clubs are viable.

[LTFC]

A club should make it as easy as possible to progress through the levels. Academy players should be brought into senior training. This doesn't happen as first team trains in Dublin and has Dublin managers who literally do not look at or care about the Academy

Did we train in Dublin throughout the 80s and 90s? I don't know if we did or not. However the national league Academy system has changed a lot, and is the main reason the LOI is now booming. I remember people on here going against that at the time! Like some genius saying Academy football isn't experience lol, shur there were people saying Longford doesn't need a skatepark too there will always be pushback that's why it's so so important to always ask oneself the question: well what have you achieved and that will give an indication of whether one's opinion is worth anything really

Some of our early seasons in the league we could have had half the team from Longford, but only a couple of those players ever attracted interest from other Loi clubs and mostly at a similar level. AFAIK we always trained in the Dublin area, or this side of Dublin, with small numbers travelling from Longford and larger numbers coming from the city.

From what I hearabout academies in the DUblin clubs young players having 12 hours a week contact time with coaches, would we even manage half that?

[yurt]

A 12 team league would dilute the quality of the league. I highly doubt it's something being considered at the top level.

I've been reading and suggesting my own alternative league structures for over a decade here and elsewhere. Suggesting it'd be the solution to generating interest in a failing league. Now we have 2 divisions which work well(ish) and interest has never been higher, with a fully professional premier division. If it's not broke don't fix it.

What we need imo is more clubs playing at a higher level, not necessarily more players playing at the highest level.