View Full Version : Eircom League votes on radical revamp
Eircom League votes on radical revamp
Wednesday January 25th 2006
Gerry
McDermott
THERE will be no promotion or relegation in the Eircom League next season if a radical proposal is adopted.
However, there is no guarantee that any of the 12 clubs playing in the Premier Division this season will still be there when the 2007 campaign kicks off. The motion, which will be placed before the Eircom League Management Committee on Saturday, is the first formal step on the road towards a full merger between the FAI and the Eircom League and the advent of a totally revamped Eircom League in 2007.
Under the terms of the merger, the 22 existing members of the Eircom League would wind it up at the end of the 2006 season and then re-apply for membership of the new FAI-run National League in 2007.
The FAI intends to retain the two-tier league system but will impose stringent criteria for acceptance into the Premier Division, with the 2006 league placings only forming part of that criteria.
Under their proposal, the top two teams in the First Division would be ranked 11th and 12th in the League with the bottom two in the Premier Division ranked at 13th and 14th.
Saturday's motion will require a two-thirds majority before proceeding to a special general meeting of the clubs in February where it will need the same two-thirds majority to get it through.
© Irish Independent
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/ & http://www.unison.ie/
A whole new ball game
Cork City celebrate winning last season's league title but some clubs are now worried about changes being made to the competition
Wednesday January 25th 2006
Soccer
LAST September, the strategic management consultants Genesis painted a bleak picture of the Eircom League and described it as being trapped in a downward spiral.
Its White Paper recommended proceeding with the proposal that the League merge with the FAI and we've now reached the point where a decision has to be made.
On Saturday, the Eircom League Management Committee will be asked to approve a declaration of intent in relation to the merger and agree to several key points.
These include provisions for the 2006 season, including no promotion or relegation, and agreement to wind up the Eircom League at the end of the season.
The clubs have been asked to agree to apply for membership of the new FAI-run National League and accept that finishing positions in 2006 will form part of the criteria for determining the structure for 2007.
The Eircom League clubs accepted the findings and recommendations of Genesis but it's the manner in which the league is going to operate post-merger that is now causing concern.
And that could pose difficulties for the merger as Saturday's proposal will have to be put before a Special General Meeting next month and will need a two-thirds majority to pass.
Other than the sporting criteria, the draft document circulated to clubs yesterday does not outline what other criteria will be used to decide which clubs are accepted into the new FAI-National League and that's what is causing most angst.
Some clubs say they are reluctant to vote on a proposal when they don't know what the full picture is, while others believe that the entire League should put their faith in the FAI and their Chief Executive John Delaney.
However, there are certainly some key questions which need to be answered.
Why do we need a merger?
According to Genesis, the FAI is best-placed to ensure that the Eircom League is run for the benefit of football in Ireland. In addition the FAI has greater resources which would be directed towards the League.
What will it entail?
The FAI will appoint the management team to run the League and will decide the rules and regulations. Clubs would sign a participation agreement and would have to abide by those rules and regulations.
What will the League look like in 2007?
There will be a Premier Division and a First Division. The Premier will have ten or 12 teams with the remainder in the First Division.
How will they be selected?
All 22 clubs will apply for membership of the new FAI-run Eircom League and the FAI will use soon to be formulated selection criteria to decide which clubs it will put into the Premier Division with the rest making up the lower flight. League positions in 2006 will only form part of the criteria. The rest is likely to centre around facilities, business plans, level of support and marketability.
Will there be any surprises?
Yes. Some clubs currently in the Premier Division might not make the cut because they don't have high levels of support, their facilities are not up to standard or they don't have the potential to attract investment. They might conceivably win the Premier Division next season but if they don't fulfil the other yet to be announced requirement they won't be in the top flight.
Is this going to be a beauty contest?
It all depends on the criteria. Some clubs already feel that their faces don't fit and they have no chance of making the 2007 Premier Division especially as they will only have a few months to try and make up ground on the rest.
Can First Division clubs be promoted after 2007?
Yes. The First Division champions will be entitled to replace the bottom team in the Premier but only if they fulfil all the criteria needed to play in the top division. If they can't do that then the bottom team survives.
The bottom team in the First Division will face a play-off against the winners of a round-robin play-off featuring intermediate teams eager to climb the footballing ladder.
What will the First Division be like from 2007?
Hard to know but few are predicting it is going to get better than it is. At present it is a footballing wilderness and the feeling is that from 2007 onwards the Premier Division is going to reap all the benefits making the gap between the Premier and First Divisions evenlarger than it is at present.
Will we have some franchise areas?
That's not clear at the moment. Franchise areas would make sense as it would allow the Eircom League club to sit at the top of the football pyramid in their respective areas. We won't know until the full criteria is worked out but it appears unlikely.
What will be the benefits of an FAI-run League?
Well, the long term objective is for the top division to contain full-time professional clubs which will improve the standard of football, make a greater impression in European competition and supply players to the international team. Government support will be sought to improve facilities with the aim of attracting more people to the game.
The FAI will properly market the game and that should attract more sponsors as well as bigger crowds and increased media interest.
© Irish Independent
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/ & http://www.unison.ie/
Picking teams based on subjectives like potential support, potential investment? No targets, no minimum levels, just on a ranking.
If this happens I'm out of eL football, as this would basically become franchise football.
Magicme
25/01/2006, 8:11 AM
Well said. I understand football is a business and it really does need to be treated as such but there is always room for the small shop on the corner thats convienent for the locals.
Well said. I understand football is a business and it really does need to be treated as such but there is always room for the small shop on the corner thats convienent for the locals.
I've no problem with minimum infrastructure standards, or finance (They could start with implementing their own licence ffs), it's all the subjective nonsense like marketability, support levels, potential investment that I really object too.
How are they going to calculate, who's going to decide, how are they going to decide, when are clubs going to know what they have to achieve, can they ever know what they have to achieve if it based on ranking not absolutes?
Clubs should reject this out of hand until they get something concrete from the spoofer.
Rory H
25/01/2006, 8:33 AM
its impossible to pick out who should be in premier or first
its totally unfair too
nobody wants shams in the premier division right!nobody:)
Wiseguy
25/01/2006, 8:56 AM
What a complete load of crap although with the FAI involved how surprised can you be.It's clear that they still have no idea how football works.
bluemovie
25/01/2006, 9:21 AM
"The FAI will properly market the game"
Highly debatable.
Roverstillidie
25/01/2006, 9:24 AM
its impossible to pick out who should be in premier or first
its totally unfair too
nobody wants shams in the premier division right!nobody:)
are you implying this shambles is us manipulating the FAI/EL/clubs behind the scenes? grow up. :rolleyes:
Bald Student
25/01/2006, 9:30 AM
One of the many problems I have with this is that it mixes two seperate issues. The FAI and the eL already have the ability to market the league properly, regulate club finances and set minimum infrastructure standards. They have chosen not to do that in the past and there is no good reason why they need to set stupid league structures to do it in the future.
Roverstillidie
25/01/2006, 9:45 AM
as an aside, this wont happen as too many prem clubs know they will be relegated on all the other criteria (fan potential, investment, stadia etc) so will vote no regardless. can you see CHF in the prem by these criteria?
for the record, i think sorting promotion/relegation anywhere other than on the pitch is unfair. if these other criteria are to be implemented, it should be in relation to whether a team is in the EL in the first place, and once in, let it happen on the pitch.
hairbrained FAI nonsense
OneRedArmy
25/01/2006, 9:54 AM
Something radical does need to happen. But whilst the big clubs will be in favour as long as its done right, I can't see the turkeys voting for Christmas (ie the small clubs).
I'm in favour as long as it isn't full on regional franchising.
I've no problem with requiring infrastructure and administration requirements for the Premier League which are above those that some Premier League teams currently have in place.
Réiteoir
25/01/2006, 9:55 AM
Can First Division clubs be promoted after 2007?
Yes. The First Division champions will be entitled to replace the bottom team in the Premier but only if they fulfil all the criteria needed to play in the top division. If they can't do that then the bottom team survives.
It'll basically become what happened in the Guinness Rugby Premiership back in England over the past few years - and the SPL relegation nonsense (involving ICT and Livingston iirc)
The bottom team in the First Division will face a play-off against the winners of a round-robin play-off featuring intermediate teams eager to climb the footballing ladder.
This could be a good idea in principle
I've no problem with requiring infrastructure and administration requirements for the Premier League which are above those that some Premier League teams currently have in place.
But that's already there, but not implemented. The premier has had minimum requirements on amount of covered seats (for example) going back to the 90's. Licencing further increased infrastructure requirements and added financial critea. Were these implemented? Were clubs sanctioned, relegated or denied promotion?
They now want to add purely subjective critea as well, which is where I have the problem with it. Once the financial and infrastructural side is met, then it should be purely on the pitch - not some bóllox in Merrion Square deciding that Athlone are more marketable than UCD, so we'll let Athlone in the premier and relegate UCD.
In John we trust...? :eek:
I would think things like support are just speculation by the media as sure that would kill off 5-6 team straight away.
OneRedArmy
25/01/2006, 10:14 AM
They now want to add purely subjective critea as well, which is where I have the problem with it. Once the financial and infrastructural side is met, then it should be purely on the pitch - not some bóllox in Merrion Square deciding that Athlone are more marketable than UCD, so we'll let Athlone in the premier and relegate UCD.
Do they? I haven't seen the detail and I think you're being premature.
In any case, you can be as selective as you want without introducing subjective criteria. You just make the infrastructure, finance and administrative criteria so onerous that you know certain clubs can't comply.
If this gets shot down by the clubs at a vote, I can see a breakaway All-Ireland League getting a few steps closer, led by some of the EL's bigger clubs.
Jerry The Saint
25/01/2006, 10:49 AM
"The FAI will properly market the game"
If they (or the League) did that in the first place we would have been spared the various zany schemes we've been subjected to over the last 20 years with the attitude that "ah sure it couldn't be any worse than the way things are now..."
Highly debatable
I agree.
Setting rigorous standards for minimum acceptable facilities, etc. is acceptable but if we go down this route where John Delaney (or whoever) subjectively decides who should be in an elite division - with the obvious insinuation that UCD, CHF will be thrown out to make way for faded giants like Shamrocks/Dundalk is ridiculous.
Bald Student
25/01/2006, 10:57 AM
The point about an all ireland league is a valid one. It would represent a genuine improvement on the current set up. The problem is that the propoed structures represent no improvement and there is no reason why they should be tied to basic things like marketing and infrastructure improvements.
Magicme
25/01/2006, 11:00 AM
I have one suggestion.....all of you fans, talk to your committees and make sure they know your views on this. Debate is good.
Bluebeard
25/01/2006, 11:09 AM
I suspect that this will be the classic eL "Turkeys voting for Christmas situation where all will agree that it is the ideal plan, that it will be good for the game, but only about eight to ten clubs voting for it.
Personally there is an awful lot of it, with which I would have serious concerns. Apologies to the clubs which I defame by use of example.
These include provisions for the 2006 season, including no promotion or relegation, and agreement to wind up the Eircom League at the end of the season.
Much as I was glad we escaped it, the threat of relegation brings a crowd (and atmosphere) to a club. If, say, Shelbourne are lying in 10th position wiht a third of the season remaining, and can still be pulled into a relegation situation (;)), their usual crowds will simply not come if there is nothing at stake, which in turn will screw them up financially (I presume that the theory is that the league should progress to a point where the gate pays a large part of the bills), and crowd figure wise for the final decision.
According to Genesis, the FAI is best-placed to ensure that the Eircom League is run for the benefit of football in Ireland. In addition the FAI has greater resources which would be directed towards the League.
Well, that makes me feel so much better - the FAI have always done what is best for football in this country, and have been always concerned with spending their money and time on the local teams :eek:
How will they be selected?
All 22 clubs will apply for membership of the new FAI-run Eircom League and the FAI will use soon to be formulated selection criteria to decide which clubs it will put into the Premier Division with the rest making up the lower flight. League positions in 2006 will only form part of the criteria. The rest is likely to centre around facilities, business plans, level of support and marketability.
...
Some clubs currently in the Premier Division might not make the cut because they don't have high levels of support, their facilities are not up to standard or they don't have the potential to attract investment. They might conceivably win the Premier Division next season but if they don't fulfil the other yet to be announced requirement they won't be in the top flight.
So, in theory, Galway Utd could finish bottom of the heap this year, but, if their infrastructure is good, their business plan top grade, with good support and a large and relatively unchallenged catchment area, and their facilities up to the knocker, they get a place in the Premier, while Dublin City, without a home or fully developed fanbase, and challenged strongly for the few fans in Dublin may get relegated though they might win an Inter-toto spot (I cannot bring myself to say Dublin City will win the league), may get shunted back to the First. Nice little thank you to the players
The First Division champions will be entitled to replace the bottom team in the Premier but only if they fulfil all the criteria needed to play in the top division. If they can't do that then the bottom team survives.
That sounds potentially mondo dodgy. I hear cries of "But the Premier needs representation from Cork / Limerick / Dublin. Similarly if Cobh were to be promoted, I can imagine cries of "But there is already a club from Cork in the Premier".
And besides, two up, two down makes gives eveybody more to fight for.
The bottom team in the First Division will face a play-off against the winners of a round-robin play-off featuring intermediate teams eager to climb the footballing ladder.
Good idea, but long overdue. Why not the bottom two, I mean to say, we have been putting both up for re-election for the last God knows how long anyway. It will also give the bottom teams something to fight for.
What will the First Division be like from 2007?
Hard to know but few are predicting it is going to get better than it is. At present it is a footballing wilderness and the feeling is that from 2007 onwards the Premier Division is going to reap all the benefits making the gap between the Premier and First Divisions even larger than it is at present.
I can't imagine it getting any better, but this is a problem anyway. The threat from below might make it more active in mid table, but it might also might make it more paranoid than ever.
Will we have some franchise areas?
That's not clear at the moment. Franchise areas would make sense as it would allow the Eircom League club to sit at the top of the football pyramid in their respective areas. We won't know until the full criteria is worked out but it appears unlikely.
The blueprint sounds like it was made for franchise, but I would dearly like to avoid that.
What will be the benefits of an FAI-run League?
You would have to admit, we would find the whole thing funnier than before.
Maynard
25/01/2006, 11:28 AM
Just read the Indo piece on lunch in work, totally crazy. If there's going to be no promotion relegation then why not just sell all your players and put out an U21 side every week? Plough those wages into taking John Delaney out for dinner?
I love this by the way "...others believe that the entire League should put their faith in the FAI and their Chief Executive John Delaney":eek: :eek:
Who are these people...? One can only assume they are referring to the Delaney family?:o
Breifne
25/01/2006, 11:32 AM
Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be speculation on the behalf of the journo's out there, the FAI expect the clubs to agree to this on Saturday, and then tell them what the criteria will be for selection in July. So you agree to allow the FAI to run rough shod over any club it wishes.
Have to say i'm not in favour of this suggestion at all. and not because i support one of the leading names to be slashed from Premier Division football. I think the only way we should be changing the league is to include the northern teams. An island this size can not afford to sustain so many clubs. We should pool our resources and come up with the goods on that issue. Why change something that is fundamentally not broken.
If the premiership had included this, there would be no Wigan Athletic in the premiership, and look how well they are getting on.
I think a fully implemented Licence, where non compliers are relegated to First Division or to Intermediate football would be much better than this. Get all the clubs admin stuff up to scratch, and the rest will look after itself. A well run club shouldn't have any problems with retaining the status quo. The likes of Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk and even Galway United would be the likely beneficiaries while Dublin City, UCD and possibly Bray would be lumped out of the premier division, whether they finish bottom or not.
No where should non footballing issues (except breaches of licensing) affect the league status of a club.
Poor Student
25/01/2006, 11:59 AM
This is ridiculously silly. Rather than improve things this can actually lead to stagnation. In Scotland when non-footballing criteria were introduced to help decide promotion and relegation it caused huge problems. The requirement on ground standards meant that teams would be playing a game of chicken. Thhey could only afford the improvements if they got promoted yet they could not know if they were going to be promoted for sure by the deadline. I can't believe they'd actually take something as subjective and impossibly to quantify as potential support into the equation. A two thirds majority is what? 15 clubs? You can probably already count UCD and Dub City voting against it.
ThatGuy
25/01/2006, 12:06 PM
Maybe I am just paranoid, but I am very suspicious of this. How can the Eircom League make an informed decision when details of the criteria for next year's league haven't even been announced?
Are the FAI and John Delaney trustworthy enough for the league to take such a leap of faith?
I am also concerned that this secret selection policy for next year's league could be used to blackmail clubs into accepting ground-share deals on the FAI's terms.
I believe one of the advantages of the merger would be no need for separate eircom league marketing & admin people. Let face it do you really need a fulltime eL marketing & communications person when FAI person could easily do. I think the eL office employers 5-10 fulltime people & its hard to know what they really do.
Magicme
25/01/2006, 12:18 PM
I predict a riot....
Poor Student
25/01/2006, 12:22 PM
I believe one of the advantages of the merger would be no need for separate eircom league marketing & admin people. Let face it do you really need a fulltime eL marketing & communications person when FAI person could easily do. I think the eL office employers 5-10 fulltime people & its hard to know what they really do.
In the grand scheme of things does it matter? It's one set of people or another who won't get the finger out and do anything. You may argue it would at least save money, but save who's money? Plus it wouldn't be put to any better constructive use. Shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic comes to my mind.
ThatGuy
25/01/2006, 12:31 PM
Rumour has it that the only Dublin clubs that will be in a premier division will be Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and St.Patrick's Athletic.
Bald Student
25/01/2006, 12:34 PM
I agree pete, there are some good proposals here. Cutting down on staff, increased marketing and the same promise we hear every year to properly implement the licensing but there is no reason why these things have to be conditional on a hair brained proposal for the league structures.
Next season the top five or six clubs will be challenging for europe. Below that, no club has any reason to compete. There is no relegation so my club, UCD, can finish mid-table or bottom of the table and it will make no difference. With no promotion on offer the entire first division next season will be a series of 36 games less improtant than an early round tie in the league cup.
Poor Student
25/01/2006, 12:34 PM
Bohs?:confused:
Bald Student
25/01/2006, 12:41 PM
So that supporters can still experience the joy of watching their team get promoted, may I propose that bucket seats be installed in the board room in Merrion Square?
ThatGuy
25/01/2006, 12:41 PM
Bohs?:confused:
I am aware that I haven't listed Bohs, and they are the team I support.
This party is a franchise league and apparently Bohs, UCD and Dublin City aren't going to be invited.
Poor Student
25/01/2006, 12:42 PM
I am aware that I haven't listed Bohs, and they are the team I support.
This party is a franchise league and apparently Bohs, UCD and Dublin City aren't going to be invited.
I know you are, I was hoping you'd elabourate.;)
ThatGuy
25/01/2006, 12:47 PM
I know you are, I was hoping you'd elabourate.;)
There have been rumours circulating for a while that Delaney only wants 3 Dublin clubs, the clubs that I have mentioned. I had no idea how on earth this could be done until reading this ludicrous article.
The FAI have an agenda. This whole thing stinks, and the fact that they are trying to get the league to vote itself out of existence before the FAI even reveal any information about next year's league and what clubs they want in it speaks volumes.
I am worried for Bohs, as unbelievable as the prospect an Eircom league without the club is. I think that if this happens UCD and Dublin City have absolutely no chance of being involved. It should be resisted at all costs.
ThatGuy
25/01/2006, 12:53 PM
I cant believe its not dublin dons
:D Very good, never heard that one!!!
Bald Student
25/01/2006, 12:53 PM
lesser clubs like ucd and I cant believe its not dublin dons?Watch yourself, it's "smaller clubs".
This proposal isn't quite asking turkeys to vote for christmas. More like asking turkeys to vote for a season and refusing to comment in advance on wheather it's christmas or not.
higgins
25/01/2006, 12:54 PM
Who said they were not having Promotion and Relegation ?? The newspaper articles contradict themselves don't they ? League standings will come into play and should you finish 1st in the First Division you will be looked at ahead of the 11th and 12th placed Premier Division teams.
Teams still have a lot to play for as if you meet all the criteria for Premier Division and are bottom of the First Division you then have to pray 11 clubs above you don’t fulfil the criteria first. There are still relegation and Promotion but this way its not a guarantee.
Only problem I have with this is that I was of the understanding that Licensing was already in place dealing with the above. I feel like I've gone back to the year 2001 again?
One thing that is great about the deal in the promotion from the regional leagues by means of a play off. Not having the trapdoor in the first is a big problem so glad to see its changing.
I can see this getting the required 15 votes as 8 or 9 of the current Premier teams will fancy their chances of being involved while 7 or 8 of the first division will fancy their chances they are better run then some of the big boys.
paudie
25/01/2006, 12:55 PM
I believe one of the advantages of the merger would be no need for separate eircom league marketing & admin people. Let face it do you really need a fulltime eL marketing & communications person when FAI person could easily do. I think the eL office employers 5-10 fulltime people & its hard to know what they really do.
I've nothing against a merger in principle but a merger with a Premier Div based on the "beauty contest" criteria propsed by the FAI is ridiculous.
The fact that (as I'm led to believe) Genesis were not allowed to consider an All Ireland league as part of their report shows how short sighted the FAI are.
They say "the league is dying so we have to pick the teams for the Premier Div based partially on non football criteria". What real difference will that make as most of the teams will be same as at present anyway?
But they won't consider the one proposal that would literally transform domestic soccer on the island.
Poor Student
25/01/2006, 12:58 PM
The other frightening thing is that we all know that using the eL section of the Genesis report as a point of reference is both frightening and laughable. We all know it contains the professionalism and quality level of a primary school project. That's not even an exaguration. The attendance figures from both the eL and other sports used as a comparison as sketchy and wrong.
NY Hoop
25/01/2006, 1:17 PM
"Some clubs currently in the Premier Division might not make the cut because they don't have high levels of support, their facilities are not up to standard or they don't have the potential to attract investment."
Bye bye CHF.
We all know this should be decided on the pitch but all depends on how the vote goes sat.
A 10 team premier with a 10 team first all with proper facilities and licensing. One up one down with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th playing against the 9th in the premier in a play off series is the way forward til the All Ireland League.
The above is common sense and didnt need a consultants report!
This is gonna get messy..........
KOH
I would welcome the fact that there is to be a line drawn in the sand after which licensing etc is fully implemented. However, to ask the clubs to vote on something when no details have been worked out is just plain stupid. Clubs would have no idea what weight to place on the first team budget for the season and convincing players to sign for a first division club when they may have no chance of getting promoted would be nearly impossible. Why couldn't this proposal have come out months ago with the details being fleshed out now after rigourous debate? This whole thing stinks, and unless clarification can be provided it should be voted down. Delaney already shafted the eL fans over ticketing for Ireland games, he promised a high profile manager then appointed his mate Staunton- why should any of us trust him? As a first step towards a merger, this reeks of incompetence. The suggested criteria are so wooly that the league would inevitably be subject to a barrage of lawsuits from angry clubs.
Like I say, I don't have any great argument with the general thrust of these plans, but if it's going to be done, it HAS to be done right!
Schumi
25/01/2006, 1:39 PM
Who said they were not having Promotion and Relegation ?? The newspaper articles contradict themselves don't they ? League standings will come into play and should you finish 1st in the First Division you will be looked at ahead of the 11th and 12th placed Premier Division teams.
Teams still have a lot to play for as if you meet all the criteria for Premier Division and are bottom of the First Division you then have to pray 11 clubs above you don’t fulfil the criteria first. There are still relegation and Promotion but this way its not a guarantee.
With respect that's a bit naive. Do you honestly think that the criteria will be picked first and then whatever 12 clubs meet them will be in the premier? It's obvious that the 12 clubs will be picked first and then the criteria decided to fit them.
I am also concerned that this secret selection policy for next year's league could be used to blackmail clubs into accepting ground-share deals on the FAI's terms.
And in the process try to out the other Dublin Clubs. A meeting of Pats patrons (and other similar scheme participants) had a meeting last and overwhelmimgly spoke against moving. The vibe I got was that the FAI was pushing on and it was either join them in their ground choice or f*** off
I'd rather f*** off, along with UCD and DC who they don't talk about...
Sheridan
25/01/2006, 1:50 PM
Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be speculation on the behalf of the journo's out there, the FAI expect the clubs to agree to this on Saturday, and then tell them what the criteria will be for selection in July. So you agree to allow the FAI to run rough shod over any club it wishes.
Not sure this alters City's brief for the coming season all that radically. Just behoves us to finish as high as possible in order to render forcible relegation on non-sporting criteria morally indefensible (not that it isn't inherently so already) and maybe avail of multiple qualifications to sneak a Setanta Cup spot. Although if the imbeciles are truly determined to pursue this course, there's not much we can do to deter them. Legal redress would presumably be precluded if the eL were wound up and the new league constituted as a separate entity with separate entry criteria. A breakaway is one alternative, but I don't think a league comprising City, UCD, Bray et al is exactly viable...
I hope, when places are being allocated, that the FAI don't ignore one factor often overlooked in such discussions, namely that the core business of a football club is football. Potential, "marketability" (meaningless platitude that is, within an Irish context) and levels of (invariably latent) support count for nothing if those in charge of a club are simply incapable of fielding a competitive team. While it would be lunacy to advocate the Ollie Byrne "hang the expense" model, it's worth remembering that U.C.D. and Dublin City have attained three promotions to the Premier Division (two at the first attempt) between them since Dundalk (whose wage-bill vastly exceeded those of the two "smaller" clubs on each occasion) were relegated thence.
Passive
25/01/2006, 2:02 PM
Clubs would only be allowed compete in the top flight if their teams were good enough, their finances were above board, their facilities were attractive and they had an actual support base. Doesn't sound like a bad plan to me.
Football in this country is in line for a massive kick up the arse. Like it or not, we're groundsharing. Like it or not, we're getting independent audits. Like it or not, the FAI will figure out a way to ensure this happens. If this proposal doesn't go through, they'll just figure out another way to do it.
Clubs like Rovers, Cork and Derry have nothing to worry about. The tax cheats and one-man clubs, on the other hand, can close the door behind them.
Speranza
25/01/2006, 2:12 PM
For football in this country to become professional huge changes are needed but this motion would appear to have an agenda behind it and not one neccesarily in the best interests of the clubs.
UCD and Dublin City according to some shouldn't be in the Premier but surely it is up to the clubs who have huge potential Dundalk, Galway e.t.c to prove that. How many teams who "should" be in the premier to replace these smaller clubs are actually deserving of it on the grounds of infrastructure e.t.c?
I have a feeling we will be voting for this motion.
Ronnie
25/01/2006, 2:16 PM
All very well, but if we only let the good boys play and we have only 6 or 7 good boys, then you have no league anyway. I care about my club first and foremost, I don't want my club to vote for something that might damage my club long term, even if the experts say this is the way to go for Irish soccer!
Réiteoir
25/01/2006, 2:22 PM
This is translates to the FAI want to hand Rovers a place back in the Premier with the minimum of fuss on their part.
Another masterstroke by the FAI :rolleyes:
But why is this only coming to light now? Couldn't this have come out months ago and have a detailed proposal at this stage? This is the biggest thing ever to hit the league and it's to be done in a totally half-assed manner. It has to be transparent, fair and watertight. This proposal is not, to the clubs should tell the FAI to get their act together and bring back a proper proposal.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.