eL Vote for FAI merger

[soccerc]

Just heard that the merger was agreed upon and will be ratified at an egm in september

[pineapple stu]

Turkeys just voted for Christmas...

Do you know what the final ballot was?

[soccerc]

The eircom League clubs have voted this evening to merge with the FAI and accept fundamental changes to the League’s structural, competition and governance areas. Subject to ratification at an FAI EGM in September, the new 4 tier eircom League will now be run by the FAI from the 2007 season onwards.
The League clubs voted to overhaul all aspects of its operations following a consultative and communications programme over recent weeks led by the FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney and the Chairman of the eircom League Paddy McCaul.

The key changes agreed by the clubs tonight include:
* Merging the eircom League with the FAI from 2007
* 4 tier League structure with Premiership, 1st Division, new “A” Championship and under 20 league from 2008
* Increases in prize fund investment to €803,000, from a current level of €450,000
* Winner’s prizemoney to rise to €225,000 for Premiership winners; with €50,000 for 1st division winners
* Premiership to be reduced from 12 to 10 teams from 2009
* Significant governance changes with new eircom League to be managed by 6 person committee including 2 outside specialists
* The introduction of community related Club Promotions Officers for Premiership clubs
* The introduction of mandatory participation agreements

Eligibility for the Premiership and 1st divisions for the 2007 season will be determined by an Independent Assessment Group appointed to use set criteria to rank clubs for the 2007 season only.

Chaired by Des Casey, UEFA Life Member and including former Dublin City Manager John Fitzgerald, former Irish International Niall Quinn and former Chairman of the Irish Sports Council Pat O’Neill, this committee will meet in for the first time in July.
Commenting on the clubs’ acceptance, FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney said he was delighted. “I strongly believe tonight’s vote will bring the League to a whole new level, not overnight, but within 3 years we should have a fundamentally changed and improved senior domestic League”, he said. Delaney said the clubs had been enthusiastic about the prospect of change “there is a sense of something unique happening and that we might just get one shot at this, so I’m delighted with the clubs’ positive response to change”, he said. “I feel a quite sense of optimism that the eircom League can improve significantly as a proposition in the years to come, he added”.

“We have the biggest sport in the country in terms of participation and we now have the prospect of a real pathway from schoolboys and under-age to the new National senior leagues which in a revamped model will represent a real pinnacle for the game at home”, Delaney said.

Chairman of the eircom League Paddy McCaul congratulated the clubs for embracing the level of change so fully. “The clubs deserve great credit for taking this decision this evening”, he said. “Change is never easy but the proposals put forward brought a feeling of confidence and optimism to the table”, he added. “Clubs want to aspire to greater success and want to be part of that success”, McCaul said. “I think clubs have seen a really good vision of where the game can go and have put their confidence in what they saw as the future for the domestic game”, he said. It’s a really great day for National League football”, McCaul said.

[OneRedArmy]

Turkeys just voted for Christmas...The reverse I would argue.

To use your analogy the current set-up is only postponing Christmas.

[pineapple stu]

Curious here, incidentally.

What good do those in favour of the new format see in them?

There are some highly choice wordings in Gobsh!te Delaney's release above. The prize money is increasing - but only six clubs of 22 will actually get any benefit once the increase in league membership fees is taken into account. The clubs themselves voted out the 10-team league - and most fans here seem to agree - but now it's back in. It certainly didn't seem to bring any tangible benefits last time around. The FAI have shown themselves to be utterly incompetent - or apathetic, not sure which - in their working of the league in recent years. Can't appoint managers, can't work UEFA Licencing, the website's a disgrace still after two revamps, the head of the FAI is a season ticket holder with Manchester United and was responsible for Waterford United's financial woes in the late 90s - which probably still affect them now. Their criteria for hand-picking teams for the Premier are a joke - you're looking at favouring teams who achieved (and continue to achieve) higher league placing due to reckless trading, you're looking at no consideration to financial issues, even though this was mentioned in the first draft and would be a very important consideration in my opinion (clubs who are functionally bankrupt aren't the ones to bring the league forward), you're looking at intangible issues such as potential which are open to abuse by an association which continues to have rumours of favouritism to some clubs circulated against it.

There's an awful lot of waffle being spoken about

is a sense of something unique happening and that we might just get one shot at this
and

I think clubs have seen a really good vision of where the game can go and have put their confidence in what they saw as the future for the domestic game
and the likes, yet there's absolutely no tangible plans in place as to how the merger is to improve the league. Nothing. This is all just going to happen, it seems.

To refer, OneRedArmy, to your comment - you can say that the current format is death, but why is this one so much better? If we're getting record results in Europe, improved facilities in the works all over the shop and other beneficial changes, why do we need this radical change? What's it going to bring? And I mean tangibly - not spoofy comments like those quoted above.

Still, roll on the court case. :)

[soccerc]

The FAI have shown themselves to be utterly incompetent - the website's a disgrace still after two revamps,


Could be slanderous there, however, the first revamp encountered huge internal resistance and less than 10% of it's functionality was ever implemented.



Still, roll on the court case. :)


What court case? The EL is a private members club, the membership of which democratically voted to merge with another private members club, the FAI.

Once the merger is completed then no one can grind any axe should the new private members club change the rules.

[OneRedArmy]

Stu, what changed between

I genuinely don't know if there's going to be a legal challenge or not. and

Still, roll on the court case. :)other than the vote passing?

[Red4Eva]

Turkeys just voted for Christmas...

sez you. the propaganda begins again. even though my club could possily get screwed worst of all, i'm delighted that the merger has been agreed.

"In terms of voting it has been reported that one club voted against the proposal, two abstained and two didn't show up." from www.irishfootballonline.com

any1 know yet how their club voted?

[Battery Rover]

Agree with Red4Eva even though we havent a chance of getting out the First Division this year whatever happens

[pineapple stu]

Stu, what changed between
"I genuinely don't know if there's going to be a legal challenge or not."

and

"Still, roll on the court case."

other than the vote passing?
Probably getting ahead of myself, to be honest. Still, other clubs have mentioned legal action already - Limerick for one - so it seems fairly certain there will be some. I don't know if we'll take legal action (obviously, assuming we get arbitrarily relegated), but I would imagine we would. That's the difference, I suppose.


What court case? The EL is a private members club, the membership of which democratically voted to merge with another private members club, the FAI.

Once the merger is completed then no one can grind any axe should the new private members club change the rules.
We'll see. ;)


i'm delighted that the merger has been agreed.

Agree with Red4Eva
Neither of yez answered the important question - why?


two didn't show up
:eek:

[Buile Shuibhne]

"In terms of voting it has been reported that one club voted against the proposal, two abstained and two didn't show up." from www.irishfootballonline.com

any1 know yet how their club voted?

Shels flew out to Denmark at 7.00pm this evening - don't know for sure, but it's possible that we had no one at the meeting - but Ollie probably orchestated the entire meeting and vote, from his airplane seat :confused:

[pineapple stu]

Surely you could have appointed any proxy?

[soccerc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by soccerc
What court case? The EL is a private members club, the membership of which democratically voted to merge with another private members club, the FAI.

Once the merger is completed then no one can grind any axe should the new private members club change the rules.

We'll see. ;)





What part of my original post don't you understand? "We'll see" as an answer/retort indicates you don't underatnd it at all.

Don't go down as you did elsewhere the ultra vires route as it is not applicable in this instance - (that is from a SC BTW who explained to me in great detail the legal aspects of any potential merger and how "private members clubs" are just that private - it doesn't matter if they are incorporated or not. The memorandum and articles of association, if they are, would if they comply with them would allow this merger and if not incorporated, once they complied with their constitution or rules and within civil law then all is ok.

Yes, I do know who voted for, against and who abstained

[monkey magic]

Yes, I do know who voted for, against and who abstained

well, spill it out! its not like it matters now the decision has been made.

i think overall, even though my club may well get screwed that this change in format might just finally resurge the league and make it more acceptible to fans and young players alike. i like in particular the idea trying create tangible links with underage football, junior leagues and the like... for me thats one of the most fundamental flaws with the current format. what exactly is this "A" championship gonna be??

[Terry]

Yes, I do know who voted for, against and who abstained
who? it will more than likely be in the morning papers anyway?

[Conor H]

Care to elaborate on those who voted and how?
Is it confidential?

My guess would be CHF and UCD ddin't show up.

[monkey magic]

My guess would be CHF and UCD ddin't show up.

that would be ironic- the two clubs whose "fans" never show up not being able to spare a man to attend the most important meeting of their recent histories! :rolleyes:

[OneRedArmy]

Surely you could have appointed any proxy?Thats what would be done in any normal club. But in the Shels autocracy Ollie obviously trusts no one.

[monkey magic]

breakingnews.ie - 29/06/2006 - 21:07:52

Eircom League clubs meeting tonight have voted to join the new FAI National League, starting next season.

The decision will see promotion and relegation ended for this season with all clubs forced to apply for membership of the new FAI League. The FAI will then put clubs in the ‘Premiership’ and First Division, based on both on and off the field criteria.

Dublin City were the only club to vote against the proposal. There was one abstention and another two clubs did not attend the meeting.





that settles it then ala who voted against...

[Buller]

Dublin City were the only club to vote against the proposal. There was one abstention and another two clubs did not attend the meeting.
Suprise Suprise!
And wonder which clubs didnt attend, hmmm....

[pineapple stu]

Don't go down as you did elsewhere the ultra vires route as it is not applicable in this instance[...]The memorandum and articles of association, if they are, would if they comply with them would allow this merger and if not incorporated, once they complied with their constitution or rules and within civil law then all is ok.
All well and good if the FAI were a stand-alone body answerable to no-one. But it's not.

[Dodge]

That press release bugs the hell out of me. The use of the words Domestic and Home really annoy me. The 4 tier structure (of which 2 of them will be made up of reserves and kids) annoys me. The "this is one and only shot" crap annoys me. Its basically giving the FAI an excuse to forget about the league when in 3 years we still have ****e crowds and we still have no investment.

Just looking back at the proposals, more clubs will lose in prize money so there'll be an even bigger gap between Shels, Cork, Derry, Drogs and the rest.

Good points include the slimming of the EL management committee and 2 "outsiders" being there (unless they bring in Finbar Flood as a an outsider in which case I'll shoot Delaney - although the use of the word specialist seems to indicate its going to be genisus people (of which the FAI have shares in surely!)

Also are the FAI going to pay for these "community related Club Promotions Officers for Premiership clubs" and if a club is relegated will they stop funding this person. If they aren't paying for it (as they haven't paid for all the other demands they've made on clubs its an indictment of how serious they are)

To summarise, Pineapple Stu is right :) (and BTW I full expect Pats to be in there despite Delaney's hatred of Kerr)

[Danny]

Also are the FAI going to pay for these "community related Club Promotions Officers for Premiership clubs"

Each fo the 12 premier league clubs will get 10k for these Promotions officiers.
This was stated when the details of the merger came out about a month ago.

[Jerry The Saint]

even though my club could possily get screwed worst of all, i'm delighted that the merger has been agreed.


I don't really understand this at all.

The FAI are taking the same name as the league in England and they're letting the owner of Sunderland FC pick the clubs involved. They've increased the prize money but also the cost of taking part in the league. 10-team league was deemed to have failed by a majority of clubs a few seasons ago and now we're going back to it. They don't know the difference between a 4-tier league and a 2-tier league with a reserve league and an U-20 league (Unless I've missed something and they intend to have promotion/relegation between the U-20's and A-League etc.) The league will now be run by the organisation that scheduled an FAI Cup draw 1 month after the previous round and 2 months before the next round.

And yet some people would still prefer that to the current situation even if it meant their team getting relegated after finishing in the top-half of the league :confused:

[Danny]

The A League will include some non eL clubs
The highest placed of these will have a play off v bottom team in the 1st division to gain promotion.

[chippie0001]

When this is a total failure like almost everything else touched by the FAI has been, I hope the people that think its great don't come back crying. I have no doubt Bohs will be in the top division but getting into bed with John Delaney and the FAI based on a report that could have been put together by a group of EL fans over a weekend in a bedroom scares the crap out of me.

I have not seen one concrete proposal as to how the grounds will be increased, how much grant moeny is available to do up grounds, how commercial income will be raised. I was told by a Bohs official that the wage cap means nothing as all clubs can budget to win the league, setanta etc and then base their wages on that proposed income. Now there's a fudge if I ever heard one.

I for one hope UCD or whoever go to court, hold this farce up and win.

[Dodge]

10K for a promotions officer? So either they're paying student to hand out flyers or they're takinng the ****

[Raheny Red]

What will the story be with the issue of season tickets. For the FAI cup they are not accepted so will there be changes to this or what?

[pete]

What will the story be with the issue of season tickets. For the FAI cup they are not accepted so will there be changes to this or what?

I don't know how this relates to new league proposals? FAI gate receipts are split between the home and away team so how can you allow season tickets in free?

Back on topic. I think the FAI taking charge is a good thing as couldn't be any worse than the eL. However much of wahts proposed is sketchy & is far from radical. Considering we starting with effectively new league they should have waited a couple fo years & then launched with a bit bang, new sponsors, new media covrage, tv , branding etc etc... Instead we get more or less same as what we have not with slow drip feed changes.

[Student Mullet]

Good points include the slimming of the EL management committee and 2 "outsiders" being there (unless they bring in Finbar Flood as a an outsider in which case I'll shoot Delaney - although the use of the word specialist seems to indicate its going to be genisus people (of which the FAI have shares in surely!)My understanding there is that one of the outsiders will be someone from an english club and the other a sponsors' rep, presumably from eircom.

[Pauro 76]

Im a bit uneasy about the changes. using the same name as the English Premiership for starters.. what's Niall Quinn got to do with choosing teams? it just seems a bit shallow, reminds me of a beauty contest for some bizarre reason. Is the 'A' league a Conference style set-up? But if its a makeover thing like the Premiership in England, it may improve TV coverage and presentation at least....

[Raheny Red]

I don't know how this relates to new league proposals? FAI gate receipts are split between the home and away team so how can you allow season tickets in free?


Well it relates to the new league proposals as the FAI will be running the league now! Season tickets are not permitted for cup games so I'm wondering what will happen when the FAI are fully in control of the league :confused:

[A face]

Im a bit uneasy about the changes. using the same name as the English Premiership for starters.. what's Niall Quinn got to do with choosing teams? it just seems a bit shallow, reminds me of a beauty contest for some bizarre reason. Is the 'A' league a Conference style set-up? But if its a makeover thing like the Premiership in England, it may improve TV coverage and presentation at least....

Doesnt Niall Quinn have his GAA to worry about ..... surely he needs to devote his undivided attention to that ??

[Dodge]

Well it relates to the new league proposals as the FAI will be running the league now! Season tickets are not permitted for cup games so I'm wondering what will happen when the FAI are fully in control of the league :confused:
Jesus talk about being able to see the wood for the trees.

[Raheny Red]

What's wrong with ya?

[Dodge]

The future of the league being discussed and you're worried about paying an extra €15 quid in? get real (and its ****ing obvious what the answer is)

[Raheny Red]

The future of the league being discussed and you're worried about paying an extra €15 quid in? get real (and its ****ing obvious what the answer is)

Where am I worried in the above posts :confused: :rolleyes: - just a bit confused regarding season tickets :rolleyes: get over yourself would you!

[manic da hoop]

Where am I worried in the above posts :confused: - just a bit confused regarding season tickets :rolleyes: get over yourself would you!

Yeah, and there are lots of things in life that I'm curious about too, but I don't plan on bringing them up in this thread:o

[Raheny Red]

Yes, it is a small thing at the moment but it's still got to do with this thread!

Anyway, carry on...........

[pete]

The FAI Cup is a different competition than the eircom league Premiership!

:rolleyes:

[Raheny Red]

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

The FAI will be involved in running the league and may be a chance for them to make a bit of extra cash by taking in club's gate receipts!

[CharlesThompson]

Dublin City voted against it according to the Sun this morning and they've been quoted as saying that they respect the decision of their fellow league clubs but will take it to court if they get relegated.

[Raheny Red]

I'm sure he said they wouldn't go to court but may look for compo :confused:

[pineapple stu]

Dublin City voted against it according to the Sun this morning and they've been quoted as saying that they respect the decision of their fellow league clubs but will take it to court if they get relegated.
The headline says they won't go to court, but it doesn't say that in the text of the article. It did say he'd be looking for compensation.

Kildare and Cobh were the ones who didn't attend, one of the papers said. I can only assume we were the ones who abstained.

Raheny Red - season tickets are never allowed for FAI Cup games as the entire gate receipts are to be split between the FAI, the home club and the away club. So there'll be no change. And it's the least of our worries. UEFA Licencing and the FAI's general competency taking another blow yesterday with the Cork news is way more important.

[thejollyrodger]

Im delighted about the vote but my only bone of contention is the name "the priemership". We should have picked a unique name.

In three years time we can expect the likes of Shels et al to be knocking on the door for the group stages.

[Poor Student]

In three years time we can expect the likes of Shels et al to be knocking on the door for the group stages.

Care to outline how that will come about so fast, Jolly?

[Red4Eva]

In three years time we can expect the likes of Shels et al to be knocking on the door for the group stages.

bit over da top. even though i'm happy the vote was passed it's more in hope that the fai might make it work rather than in expectation and it will take a lot more than 3 years. i'm thinkin 6-8 years down the line

[Jerry The Saint]

Im delighted about the vote but my only bone of contention is the name "the priemership". We should have picked a unique name.

In three years time we can expect the likes of Shels et al to be knocking on the door for the group stages.

I see it all now, John Delaney is actually one of the underpants gnomes from South Park.

The FAI Underpants Gnomes have a three-phase business plan, consisting of:

Phase 1: eL vote for FAI merger
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit! ("Shels et al to be knocking on the door for the group stages")

Makes sense to me.

[el punter]

Apparently the mighty Quinn has just got his takeover of Sunderland sorted out.

Sporting Life have the details here
(http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/07/03/SOCCER_Sunderland.html)

Seriously, I'm not having a go at Quinn - good luck to him, he seems a nice fella who loves his football. But I see no reason why is on a panel advising on the future of the domestic game. He has no track record of showing an interest in the league, he's never played in it and I've never heard him associated with it before the recent appointment. Looks like a hobby he won't have time for with the Sunderland thing now taking up his time.

What gives?

[Poor Student]

I know Dodge picked up on this earlier, but why do they persist on calling it a new 4 tier league in press releases? It's more like a 2 and a half tier league.

I have to say, I'm impressed with how Delaney has managed to talk this up and convince so many people, including fellow foot.ie posters, that this will magically bring success and fortune to the league without offering a single concrete reason as to how it will radically alter anything.