Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Kiki Balboa]

https://twitter.com/SeanKellyMEP/status/1783417891653657014?t=79wFAFoNsE5C2YYtNtxPxw&s=08

Sean Kelly and Fine Gael talking about the need for supporting the LOI in terms of facilities and academies. Fair Play. Also highlights the growth of attendances.

[Kiki Balboa]

We in the LOI community have to be a fair bit more politically active and demanding, and prepare to mobilize around positive LOI policies.

The only way I see things developing in the LOI.

[Nesta99]

Its great to see LoI growth making it relevant enough for politicians to court votes. Wonder what Joe Brolly's rection was to this after previous comments on Kelly, 'used to call hmself a Gael but is nothing more than a Free Stater'....great craic to watch!

[EatYerGreens]

We in the LOI community have to be a fair bit more politically active and demanding, and prepare to mobilize around positive LOI policies.

The only way I see things developing in the LOI.

Absolutely. The GAA is very good at channelling public pressure when it wants/needs to. LOI fans need to start flexing their muscles as well. Especially with 2 or 3 elections due this year.

[nr637]

We all know of Independent TD Mick Wallace and his association with Wexford FC and I think Sinn Fein TD Jonathan O'Brien had some connection with Cork City for a time.

Anyone aware of TD's that have some connection to their local Airtricity club?

Maybe we could create a list and forward it to the FAI !

[nigel-harps1954]

We in the LOI community have to be a fair bit more politically active and demanding, and prepare to mobilize around positive LOI policies.

The only way I see things developing in the LOI.

Absolutely. We don't shout from the rooftops enough for it to be made anywhere near priority for politicians.

[listowelceltic]

Good man Sean. I spoke with him at last Kerry game in the Markets Fields and he does seem interested in the league. Goes to quite a few home games as well when he's around.

[Another Bohemia]

We all know of Independent TD Mick Wallace and his association with Wexford FC and I think Sinn Fein TD Jonathan O'Brien had some connection with Cork City for a time.

Anyone aware of TD's that have some connection to their local Airtricity club?

Maybe we could create a list and forward it to the FAI !

Aul Michael D was fond of a visit to Dalymount in the early days of his tenure as president and has always been a fan of football in Ireland.

Bohs specific I know various parties and/or politicians have sponsored either matches or match balls.

I think politicians (at least in Dublin) have a lot of time for the LOI and LOI fans. The problem seems to be more along the lines of clubs not working together & FAI malpractice rather than political apathy.

[Nesta99]

Aul Michael D was fond of a visit to Dalymount in the early days of his tenure as president and has always been a fan of football in Ireland.

Bohs specific I know various parties and/or politicians have sponsored either matches or match balls.

I think politicians (at least in Dublin) have a lot of time for the LOI and LOI fans. The problem seems to be more along the lines of clubs not working together & FAI malpractice rather than political apathy.

Can you do a jersey for them?

[Another Bohemia]

Can you do a jersey for them?

Only if they speed up the development of new Dalymount

[Nesta99]

Pre orders for your Mary Lou Bohemian FC special now - well she can fix everything so get ahead of the curve!

[EatYerGreens]

Can you do a jersey for them?

Maybe something celebrating FIBSborough...?

[Kiki Balboa]

I think it needs more than just having a few politicians being a fan of a club. We need pressure on policies, and the best way to do that is at election time and representing a 'voting bloc'.

I wonder, has any supporters club endorsed a a policy stance publicly before?

[Martinho II]

I have a feeling that Marc McSharry is a big Sligo Rovers fan and I think his dad was too also. I could be wrong mind you!

[Nesta99]

Fitzer campaining outside Oriel Park last election was great craic - purely out of curiosity on what hed say asked him about about ground developments (specificlly Oriel Park) and his reply was any time Dundalk FC need a stadium the Louth County Ground would be available and he as county chairman would grant permission to use the ground any time. So asked how there was no need to go to Congress, Central Council, HQ, County Board et al and a couple of his campaigners basically hooked him and ushered him off. Ok he is one person but I dont think Ive ever heard such a bluff or a completely blank look when asked a question to which there was no rehearsed default answer. Ive no particular party leanings but I reckon I could pretty much write the next 6 months of opposition questions, rants and and government answers! (...and there is still no county ground in Louth).

I thought that we would get somewhere after the charade at the PAC with Delaney and his ousting only for the FAI to shift in to reverse at their more recent PAC appearances. It shouldnt impact on wider infrastructure development of the sport but it obviously does unless somehow you can get round the FAI image as being a bunch of chancers. Its refreshing if obviously opportunistic also for Sean Kelly to call for soccer specific development and to acknowledge the almost 1 million spectator attendances. A decent FAI with credibility would have facility development in the faces of party policy makers now while prepping manifestos in an election year rather than us just canvassing canvessers on doorsteps prior to the upcoming local and general elections.

Imo contributions to County and Enviorns Development plans could be just as effective when their cycle for renewal is in progress - otherwise contravening such plans will always be rolled out as an excuse and if were not in theres no win. Part of that process is of course pushing facilities with local candidates initially and that may filter up to a wider committment to investing in what is currently the major growth area of the Irish sports industry and an area where there would be very obvious and tangible evidence of investment. I also think a collective bargaining type policy for ground development to turn the heads of the construction industry would be useful - eek out every possible value for grant € allocated. It could prevent future half built projects where a grant is (so far) wasted, removes claims of regional bias which is basicaly claimed by every region outside the capital and Dubs will also claim neglect in relation to large population provisions.

More or less the days of the individual politician, as a fan of a club, being able to pull a stroke on swaying grant allocation are passed (remember the old days when if a minister was appointed from your consituency people thought the funding would roll in?) so definitely agree it all needs to be credible national policy proposal, made on the back of a wide but collective community or block vote if we were ever able to agree a consensus beyond our immediate sphere.

[Nesta99]

Only if they speed up the development of new Dalymount

Is walking past Dalymount once not enough anymore?

[nigel-harps1954]

Bray are installing new dugouts in the Carlisle Grounds, and honestly, it's the worst placement they could possibly have attempted. A big steel structure placed in the middle of the away side, blocking large parts of the pitch from spectators view on that side.

It's utterly mindless from them.

[Nesta99]

Bray are installing new dugouts in the Carlisle Grounds, and honestly, it's the worst placement they could possibly have attempted. A big steel structure placed in the middle of the away side, blocking large parts of the pitch from spectators view on that side.

It's utterly mindless from them.

Well maybe see through perspex and aluminium could could be at a premium in North Korea? Missed the 'dugout' part of dugout obviously!

[Stav]

I suppose there's no chance of anyone from the FAI inviting him in for a cup of tea to get his advice on how best to go about acquiring funding. Or is that too much to ask.

[listowelceltic]

Good news for Shels with the 250 year lease. Have the club any long term plans for developing Tolka?

[nr637]

Good news for Shels with the 250 year lease. Have the club any long term plans for developing Tolka?

Going by the terrace improvements recently on the Riverside Stand side & the Ballybough end, is the best you could hope for in the short term. Maybe the stand at the Drumcondra end could be reviewed for safety standards again with the prospect of being reopened again. The main stand on the Richmond road side could do with a revamp, maybe a new cantilever type stand.

What are Shels fans thoughts! :confused:

[EatYerGreens]

Good news for Shels with the 250 year lease.

Is that how long the development is expected to take?

[John83]

Is that how long the development is expected to take?
It's the LoI. They'll sell the last 200 years of the lease to a developer and their fans will have a "Save Tolka Park" campaign in 2070.

[Nesta99]

Any details on the terms of the lease beyond timeframe. Some of it looked pretty difficult to to attain during negotiations without risking the lease being revoked and any time.

[nr637]

Good news for Shels with the 250 year lease. Have the club any long term plans for developing Tolka?

At least it will give Shels the chance to improve the current state of the Tolka Park facilities to a reasonable level. Just by improving the basic areas around the ground will be important. I think most fans would be happy in the short term seeing this type of initial work being done as a sign of improvement. The plans for more extensive projects that will need planning approval can then be considered, then.

[brendy_éire]

Brandywell update:
Sewerage issues delaying the work on the new terrace nearly sorted with the council/NI Water. The terrace itself is being built off-site.
Stormont funding for the finishing the Mark Farren stand is due to come next April, pending a successful application. Would be surprised if there isn't money for the Brandywell in there.
There are also plans for a south stand, that would be at the Showgrounds end. Surprised at that one, as it's quite tight for space, but must be possible.
No word on what the council have decided on the pitch, but the club are requesting grass or hybrid.

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/watch-translink-goldliner-bus-stuck-on-notoriously-steep-derry-road-removed-by-crane-4640553

[2 Year Contract]

Brandywell update:
Sewerage issues delaying the work on the new terrace nearly sorted with the council/NI Water. The terrace itself is being built off-site.
Stormont funding for the finishing the Mark Farren stand is due to come next April, pending a successful application. Would be surprised if there isn't money for the Brandywell in there.
There are also plans for a south stand, that would be at the Showgrounds end. Surprised at that one, as it's quite tight for space, but must be possible.
No word on what the council have decided on the pitch, but the club are requesting grass or hybrid.

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/watch-translink-goldliner-bus-stuck-on-notoriously-steep-derry-road-removed-by-crane-4640553

Good to hear, it’d be class if it became a four sided ground. Given the space there I’d imagine it could be a small enough terrace, similar to what’s going to be behind at least one of the goals in Dalymount when it’s done up. Even if that is to be the case, optics wise it’s still better than leaving it open the way it is now and it’d add on a few hundred to the capacity at least

[nigel-harps1954]

Brandywell update:
Sewerage issues delaying the work on the new terrace nearly sorted with the council/NI Water. The terrace itself is being built off-site.
Stormont funding for the finishing the Mark Farren stand is due to come next April, pending a successful application. Would be surprised if there isn't money for the Brandywell in there.
There are also plans for a south stand, that would be at the Showgrounds end. Surprised at that one, as it's quite tight for space, but must be possible.
No word on what the council have decided on the pitch, but the club are requesting grass or hybrid.

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/watch-translink-goldliner-bus-stuck-on-notoriously-steep-derry-road-removed-by-crane-4640553

Suppose the stand at the Showgrounds side could always be something similar to the Drumcondra end of Tolka Park.

[brendy_éire]

Good to hear, it’d be class if it became a four sided ground. Given the space there I’d imagine it could be a small enough terrace, similar to what’s going to be behind at least one of the goals in Dalymount when it’s done up. Even if that is to be the case, optics wise it’s still better than leaving it open the way it is now and it’d add on a few hundred to the capacity at least

That's the main advantage, IMO. Four sides look so much better on TV. Much better to have smaller stands on all sides, than a couple of large ones and nothing either end.

[redobit]

Be interesting to see what clubs would vote for here.

https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/plastic-pitches-voted-out-scottish-29271215?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3ilvHKTxYp89Sd hLIOyCqOmGs9aBgIPkAA5Rt26uzvtduTD2VXehgPzIQ_aem_AT 6D1jQCyUeb_BB_3xspFPGjoxKcPw-m3AItdVKtiDkW1uw8Wgr7fXd-cJ6qGm3WNT3cgqtTI2bRAB2HSG5L1vQ2

[Nesta99]

Usually these sort of votes have to be unanimous, the 2 clubs that have artificial surfaces out of the top flight and they voted on it. Here there are a couple of turkeys that wont vote for christmas and one at least will still be there next season and for the forseeable. There are enough artificial surfaces over the 2 divisions that itd be unlikely there would even be a vote on it. It would have tp be a UEFA ruling for things to change here imo.

[sbgawa]

Aren't both Derry and dundalk talking about going back to grass anyway ??

[outspoken]

Aren't both Derry and dundalk talking about going back to grass anyway ??

Dundalk definitely won't be, can't afford it

[Nesta99]

Can Derry pull rank on the surface in the Brandywell? As long as Institute are also based there there isnt a window to lay a grass surface. Be fun to see them both looking Maginn for a spell, or at least how Institute would probably not be allowed even if they wanted or needed to find temporary temporary home, 2 clubs same city and ground different countrys' leagues one could use a neighbouring ground and another couldnt without a whole bunch of hoops to jump through, or maybe precedences set....or just wait until the Clooney Park development is done before ripping up the Brandywell surface.

[EatYerGreens]

It's the LoI. They'll sell the last 200 years of the lease to a developer and their fans will have a "Save Tolka Park" campaign in 2070.

It would only be textbook LOI behaviour if they sold it twice.

[EatYerGreens]

Can Derry pull rank on the surface in the Brandywell? As long as Institute are also based there there isnt a window to lay a grass surface. Be fun to see them both looking Maginn for a spell, or at least how Institute would probably not be allowed even if they wanted or needed to find temporary temporary home, 2 clubs same city and ground different countrys' leagues one could use a neighbouring ground and another couldnt without a whole bunch of hoops to jump through, or maybe precedences set....or just wait until the Clooney Park development is done before ripping up the Brandywell surface.

There would also be 'neighbouring' grounds for Institute in the other direction e.g. Limavady United.

[brendy_éire]

Can Derry pull rank on the surface in the Brandywell? As long as Institute are also based there there isnt a window to lay a grass surface.

I think that's exactly what's going to happen, but the Council will be looking for the club, i.e. Philip O'Doherty, to contribute to putting in a hybrid pitch.
Stute fixtures could be reserved for a while, or they could play in Limavady.

I wonder will the FAI ban plastic pitches, maybe starting with the Premier? If it was the case that Dundalk got relegated, and the Brandywell was switching, it would be easy enough to implement, like the Scots have done.

[Nesta99]

It would only be textbook LOI behaviour if they sold it twice.

Tarring everyone with the Bohs brush? Naughty!!

[oriel]

Dundalk definitely won't be, can't afford it

Much that I would prefer grass, club have so many teams, youth, womens etc, all using main pitch. Not sure how other clubs manage their other teams as can't imagine they use the senior pitch, but that was a major factor.

On the can't afford it, will cost under 1m to replace current to new version 4g.

[outspoken]

Much that I would prefer grass, club have so many teams, youth, womens etc, all using main pitch. Not sure how other clubs manage their other teams as can't imagine they use the senior pitch, but that was a major factor.

On the can't afford it, will cost under 1m to replace current to new version 4g.

Shiuld have been clearer by afford I was referencing to the maintance costs that would come with maintaining a pitch that would have so many games on it, we'd all love grass but Dundalk's lack of a second pitch is a killer.

[oriel]

Dundalk still have access to the grass pitch owned by a local school right behind YDC / away goal end, train on that for away games apart from Derry. However not owning one is not good.

[outspoken]

Dundalk still have access to the grass pitch owned by a local school right behind YDC / away goal end, train on that for away games apart from Derry. However not owning one is not good.

They don't use it for underage matches though do they?

[Nesta99]

It is available for underage use if need be but its easier to use the main pitch. Just from the need to have the pitch lined, goals set up, that the surface is suitable for a match as opposed to training, walked for glass or dog sh1t, people to retrieve balls from the long grass or before local kids hanging around scarper with a match ball, not clasing with school use etc. It would take more people to be about than using Oriel itself, no floodlights (there were training lights) or even just street lighting at access points depending on the time of the year. I dont now if there are minimum standards for national underage venues but Hiney Park would bound to need some work if it was used for that purpose regularly im sure.

[oriel]

Hopefully some movement to be announced next few weeks by Dundalk.


https://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-fc-development-group-update-june-2024/

[outspoken]

Hopefully some movement to be announced next few weeks by Dundalk.


https://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-fc-development-group-update-june-2024/

Great to hear, engaging with other sporting clubs definitely the way to go. I have to say though, having been in Oriel on Thursday, the basic standards around the place have really gone to **** again. The stand is absolutely filthy, advertising hoardings falling to pieces, the disaster of a new disabled section has become a real eyesore, just general untidyness around the place, surely someone should be enforcing these standards?

[Nesta99]

Filthy in what way just out of interest not being able to attend games currently muself, as in not swept after the previous weeks game, seating needing cleaning (rather than old weather worn look? Under the stand, corridors, bar toilets etc not cleaned properly? Its not the biggest job to do, as in general/maintanace caretaking of the stand as a whole, but maybe the stand was in use just prior to the Thursday matchnight. The wider ground needs fairly significant man hours to keep things reasonable so if there is a shortage of people I can see why it can become unkempt looking. It would take 3 people pretty flat out to do things like repairing advertisment hoarding, spraying weeds, pitch work, fixing advertising hoarding. In the past there was obviously Mickey Fox looking after the (grass) pitch and there was a CE scheme doing the bread and butter around the ground. There were volunteer tidy up days also. So itd be interesting to know whether there are people employed as groundskeeper, or is there very limited volunteer numbers.
The town end grassy knoll did look like it was left uncut for the bees. The new disabled area doesnt look used much at all from watching on TV to me so where do those who used to be pitch side go now? It doesnt strike me as a particularly good vantage point regardless of its aesthetic.

The YDC isnt such an old building that youd expect would need rewiring unless it was shoddily done in the 1st place but good to see fire regulations met to allow its use again. Installation of a bar wouldnt be a major expensive for the potential return if the licence isnt an issue - can the Lilywhite Lounge/McGuill licences extend to to YDC if opted for.

There were always areas around Oriel that were used for 'storage' that should be clear for safety reasons (behind away terrace abd Lilywhite Lounge) and may even have enough space for fan spots (even just face painting for kid, occasional bbq) like end of the shed, town end and around to the rear of the shed or heven forbid permanent toilet blocks like Town End terrace. forecourt of the YDC entrance has loads of space for prematch familay activities. Could all come under the remit of a facilities manager but would need staff too. Id have expected s CEO to be too busy dealing with the more business aspect of running the club.

We talk about improving facilities but maximising what is there is the startig point, and its takes appointing full time staff - though some may pay for themselves if it means additional income streams are possible. Like in the distant past there was pitchside advertisement for business who were out of business or hadnt paid up for the space for ages - maybe the gaps in the hoarding have to be filled?!

[redarmyfaction]

https://www.sligorovers.com/funding-application-lodged-for-masterplan-project/

[pateen]

Nice ... If done

[EalingGreen]

Impressive stuff from Sligo!

Does the licencing agreement stuff with other organisations mean that it will have an artificial pitch? (Maybe they already have?)

Also UEFA Regulations state that only Category 1 permits standing i.e. Cats. 2, 3 and 4 are required to be all-seater. Those Regs. date from 2018, and I know that a number of clubs with modern safe-standing facilities like eg Spurs and Dortmund have since been allowed standing, on (I think) a trial basis. I wonder are Sligo anticipating that assuming the trials are successful, then standing will be extended to higher (all?) categories, at least where modern design has been incorporated?

Anyhow, the Regs, which are hard to find on UEFA's site, are pretty detailed in a variety of areas - assuming this all goes through, Sligo will have eg the best floodlights in the country!
https://documents.uefa.com/viewer/book-attachment/~8EF5wwwZzvgRyjrEnIjmw/l90o3j3fp3UGF3pXy9BvgA

[2 Year Contract]

Impressive stuff from Sligo!

Does the licencing agreement stuff with other organisations mean that it will have an artificial pitch? (Maybe they already have?)

From the article above:


With a capacity of 6,100, stadium facilities will include new grass based hybrid pitch, which will accommodate other sports and activities