View Full Version : Wallace - Wexford to fill Vacant League Spot
passinginterest
05/12/2006, 12:42 PM
Heard on Newstalk that Mick Wallace hopes to recieve a club licence early in the new year for a team based at his new state of the art facility just outside Wexford town. It's a fantastic looking place, that's been a huge investment by Wallace. I think with his track record with Wexford Youth teams and development, not to mention finances, this could be an excellent addition to the league. Up Wexford! :)
Heard on Newstalk that Mick Wallace hopes to recieve a club licence early in the new year for a team based at his new state of the art facility just outside Wexford town. It's a fantastic looking place, that's been a huge investment by Wallace. I think with his track record with Wexford Youth teams and development, not to mention finances, this could be an excellent addition to the league. Up Wexford! :)
If Limerick aren't granted a licence at all (I hope they do get one btw) will they
bother looking for a new team to replace Dublin City as that would leave uneven
numbers again?
Lim till i die
05/12/2006, 12:46 PM
If Limerick aren't granted a licence at all (I hope they do get one btw) will they
bother looking for a new team to replace Dublin City as that would leave uneven
numbers again?
I'd like to think they got more than one new applicant though :confused:
passerrby
05/12/2006, 12:59 PM
football needs limerick more than it needs licensing ,also a big welcome to wexford if its true
Lim till i die
05/12/2006, 1:01 PM
football needs limerick more than it needs licensing ,also a big welcome to wexford if its true
Thanks
Although there's a lot of people on here who will beg to differ
passinginterest
05/12/2006, 1:03 PM
Every reason to believe it's true. There's been a major investment in academies in Wexford at all age groups and there was a plan announced a few years back to have a team in the u.21 league within five years (can't remember how long ago that was). With Wallace having nearly completed work on the grounds and the present restructuring of the league I think they're just trying to bypass the u.21 stage.
Lim till i die
05/12/2006, 1:04 PM
Does all this mean Pat Dolan has a job in the league again??
Hooray :)
Poor Student
05/12/2006, 1:11 PM
Every reason to believe it's true. There's been a major investment in academies in Wexford at all age groups and there was a plan announced a few years back to have a team in the u.21 league within five years (can't remember how long ago that was). With Wallace having nearly completed work on the grounds and the present restructuring of the league I think they're just trying to bypass the u.21 stage.
It's a good way to go about it. Build the club from the grassroots up and have a structure in place when sliding into the league.
WeAreRovers
05/12/2006, 1:35 PM
football needs limerick more than it needs licensing ,also a big welcome to wexford if its true
Football needs a strong Limerick club and a strong licencing system. Sadly we have neither.
KOH
Lim till i die
05/12/2006, 1:37 PM
Football needs a strong Limerick club and a strong licencing system. Sadly we have neither.
KOH
Someday WAR, Someday......
dcfcsteve
05/12/2006, 2:09 PM
Someday WAR, Someday......
Though which will come first, God only knows.......!
Lim till i die
05/12/2006, 2:10 PM
Though which will come first, God only knows.......!
If I had to put money on it I'd say the latter :o
Jerry The Saint
05/12/2006, 5:19 PM
Does all this mean Pat Dolan has a job in the league again??
Hooray :)
Name announced for the new team:
SUPER MODEL COUNTY FC
:)
MrJoeSoap
05/12/2006, 5:38 PM
A TEAM from Wexford backed by construction millionaire Mick Wallace is the strong favourite to fill the void left by the demise of Dublin City in next year's Eircom League.
The FAI recently opened up applications for a 22nd club to join the senior game at First Division level next year as the new era under the stewardship of the association begins.
And the Irish Independent understands that Wallace's Wexford experiment is expected to be successful in their application once they can meet with Club Licensing requirements. Officially, the FAI says there will be no confirmation on a new club until January and there has been more than one application for the vacancy.
However, it is believed that a team from Wexford would fulfil the criteria perfectly given that it would extend the regional spread of a league that is often castigated for being too Dublin centric.
Wallace is well known in Eircom League circles due to his close relationship with former St Patrick's Athletic and Cork City boss Pat Dolan.
And he is also credited with being a huge influence in the career of Reading striker Kevin Doyle after recognising his talent as a teenager with the Wexford Youths and recommending him to Dolan.
Wallace has always spoken of a desire to establish an Eircom League team in Wexford, a county which consistently produces strong youth sides demonstrating the potential that exists in the vicinity.
Wallace is developing a state of the art facility for soccer on a 14 acre site just outside Wexford town, which he hopes will eventually fulfill the requirements to secure a First Division licence.
The FAI confirmed yesterday that of the 21 current clubs, 15 have attained a licence at Premier Division standard and five at First Division standard.
It emerged late last week that Limerick haven't received any licence and they now have five days to appeal.
Next Monday, the FAI Board will, after taking the recommendations of an Independent Assessment Group, announce the twelve teams that will make up the new top flight.
In addition to the eleven current Premier Division teams, Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, Galway United and Cobh Ramblers would all qualify under licensing for a place in the new league if selected by the FAI.
While Rovers should be a certainty to make it and Cobh have little chance, both Dundalk and Galway will realistically be thinking they might replace Bray and Waterford if they are to make the elite league.
http://unison.ie/sportsdesk/stories.php3?ca=12&si=1736113
Schumi
05/12/2006, 6:21 PM
Name announced for the new team:
SUPER MODEL COUNTY FC
:)
New Model Army surely!
CollegeTillIDie
05/12/2006, 8:28 PM
I take it this new Uber club on the banks of the Slaney will not be an existing entity such as Wexford Celtic. right?
has any one pictures of their facilities?
Ronnie
06/12/2006, 8:38 AM
Every reason to believe it's true. There's been a major investment in academies in Wexford at all age groups and there was a plan announced a few years back to have a team in the u.21 league within five years (can't remember how long ago that was). With Wallace having nearly completed work on the grounds and the present restructuring of the league I think they're just trying to bypass the u.21 stage.
Yes indeed investment on facilities and underage has been done - but thats a lot easier to do when you don't have a stff of 25 players and coaches needing to get paid every week!
passinginterest
06/12/2006, 8:49 AM
My biggest worry about a club in Wexford is attracting support. I've lived in Dublin a good few years now, but I used to go to some of the Wexford youths matches and Oscar Traynor games. The youths in particular get huge publicity in the local media, yet at the games I was at I doubt there was ever more than a hundred people. Financially I think Wallace is a fairly shrewd business man and i doubt he'll be throwing money away. Pure speculation but I'd watch out for potential arrangements with Reading (Eamon Dolan, Kevin Doyle, Conor Sinnott) and even Torino in Italy (the Wexford under 16 team spends a fortnight there every year). The club will be a brand new entity so a new name and junior teams etc.. will also have to be developed I'd imagine. I'd go for something like Loch Garman FC due to the fact that Wexford Utd, Athletic, Celtic, Albion and Wanderers (rugby team) are already taken. I really hope they get a licence and I look forward to supporting the team.
My biggest worry about a club in Wexford is attracting support. I've lived in Dublin a good few years now, but I used to go to some of the Wexford youths matches and Oscar Traynor games. The youths in particular get huge publicity in the local media, yet at the games I was at I doubt there was ever more than a hundred people. Financially I think Wallace is a fairly shrewd business man and i doubt he'll be throwing money away. Pure speculation but I'd watch out for potential arrangements with Reading (Eamon Dolan, Kevin Doyle, Conor Sinnott) and even Torino in Italy (the Wexford under 16 team spends a fortnight there every year). The club will be a brand new entity so a new name and junior teams etc.. will also have to be developed I'd imagine. I'd go for something like Loch Garman FC due to the fact that Wexford Utd, Athletic, Celtic, Albion and Wanderers (rugby team) are already taken. I really hope they get a licence and I look forward to supporting the team.
any pictures of this "state of the art" facility i keep hearing about?
are the facilites and the team in wexford town or what ?
dcfcsteve
06/12/2006, 12:31 PM
My biggest worry about a club in Wexford is attracting support. I've lived in Dublin a good few years now, but I used to go to some of the Wexford youths matches and Oscar Traynor games. The youths in particular get huge publicity in the local media, yet at the games I was at I doubt there was ever more than a hundred people. Financially I think Wallace is a fairly shrewd business man and i doubt he'll be throwing money away. Pure speculation but I'd watch out for potential arrangements with Reading (Eamon Dolan, Kevin Doyle, Conor Sinnott) and even Torino in Italy (the Wexford under 16 team spends a fortnight there every year). The club will be a brand new entity so a new name and junior teams etc.. will also have to be developed I'd imagine. I'd go for something like Loch Garman FC due to the fact that Wexford Utd, Athletic, Celtic, Albion and Wanderers (rugby team) are already taken. I really hope they get a licence and I look forward to supporting the team.
You can hardly use attedances at youth games to speculate support levels for a senior side in the domestic league. No-one bar friends and family are that interested in watching kids play football.
As for the Loch Garman FC idea - personally, I'd like to see a club with a name as Gaeilge, but I seriously doubt it'd happen outsde of the Gaeltacht
passinginterest
06/12/2006, 1:06 PM
The point on crowds is fair enough, there's definitely a big soccer community in Wexford an I'd hope they'd get behind the whole concept. The facilities are about two miles outside the town on the main Dublin road. No pictures and I've only seen them form the road. There's astro pitches nearest the road and two full size pitches. There's also a two or three storey club house, which, as far as I know, has indoor training facilities and a viewing area. Not sure about stands and the like at this stage, hope to get a look next time I'm down that way. I know when the plan was announced a few years back the intention was to have the facility to add stands when the were required.
dcfcsteve
06/12/2006, 1:40 PM
I'm actually quite excited about the prospect of having a Wexford team in the league, and hope it comes to fruition.
Sounds like they're run by a competent and smart bunch as well.
Lim till i die
06/12/2006, 1:43 PM
I'm actually quite excited about the prospect of having a Wexford team in the league, and hope it comes to fruition.
Sounds like they're run by a competent and smart bunch as well.
If I was a Derry fan I'd be quite upset about the whole thing :eek: :p
dcfcsteve
06/12/2006, 2:59 PM
If I was a Derry fan I'd be quite upset about the whole thing :eek: :p
As if we'd be in the same division any time soon..... :D
To be fair - if short away trips were all Derry fans cared about, we'd have re-joined the Irish League years ago....
BohDiddley
06/12/2006, 4:14 PM
Great news if true.
Best of luck to the Boys of Wexford.
passinginterest
07/12/2006, 9:24 AM
I heard there's a rumor going around Wexford that a licence was applied for and refused. I suppose they'd be hoping for one on appeal if this was the case. Not sure if it could be true though. Don't know if they could try for a licence when the club dosen't seem to officialy exist in any capacity yet. I'd imagine some sort of board of management and team structures etc would have to be in place before any application was made. I'm not aware of any offical announcements from Wallace yet, might be something in the papers this week about it.
dcfcsteve
07/12/2006, 9:35 AM
I heard there's a rumor going around Wexford that a licence was applied for and refused. I suppose they'd be hoping for one on appeal if this was the case. Not sure if it could be true though. Don't know if they could try for a licence when the club dosen't seem to officialy exist in any capacity yet. I'd imagine some sort of board of management and team structures etc would have to be in place before any application was made. I'm not aware of any offical announcements from Wallace yet, might be something in the papers this week about it.
How would a non-existing entity be able to provide a tax-clearance cert, for example ?
bigmac
07/12/2006, 9:55 AM
How would a non-existing entity be able to provide a tax-clearance cert, for example ?
Yeah, cos not being tax-compliant has been a huge problem for clubs getting licences! :D
dcfcsteve
07/12/2006, 10:06 AM
Yeah, cos not being tax-compliant has been a huge problem for clubs getting licences! :D
Well - having a TCC has been, yes !
paudie
07/12/2006, 10:19 AM
The club will be a brand new entity so a new name and junior teams etc.. will also have to be developed I'd imagine. I'd go for something like Loch Garman FC due to the fact that Wexford Utd, Athletic, Celtic, Albion and Wanderers (rugby team) are already taken.
How about "Yellowbellies FC"?
Real ale Madrid
07/12/2006, 11:54 AM
How about "Yellowbellies FC"?
Nickname: The strawberries!
Seriously - would be a good location for a club. Hope it happens.
Kildare Lad
07/12/2006, 4:31 PM
Haha, yeah, i would really love to see a team from wexford come into the league, imagine going down to Wexford on a lovely summers evening:cool:
DmanDmythDledge
07/12/2006, 4:35 PM
I hope this new club gets elected to the league. By the sounds of things there seems to be good infrastructure in place for a club in Wexford. Also good that there will be more of a geographical spread amongst the clubs in the league.
Buller
07/12/2006, 5:54 PM
would their colours include pink and yellow??? hahaha :p im sure we could conjure up a few good chants......
no i really hope they get in, would be an ideal replacement for DC
Would be nice to have a team from Wexford and I hope they get the license. Best of luck to Mick Wallace and all involved.
Name announced for the new team:
SUPER MODEL COUNTY FC
:)
But there can only be One County:p . :p
cavan_fan
08/12/2006, 10:58 AM
I hope this new club gets elected to the league. By the sounds of things there seems to be good infrastructure in place for a club in Wexford. Also good that there will be more of a geographical spread amongst the clubs in the league.
I would have thought the number on requirement here is that the club is in itself financially viable, (don't want another going bust). On that basis you're looking for somewhere with a good supporter base which is far enough from other clubs and has some local identity. Other options would be Mayo/Kerry/Tipp I'd say. Hopefully someone at the FAI is going to do some proper research before making a decision though.
passinginterest
08/12/2006, 2:48 PM
Is there any news on other teams who are applying? Surely there must be rumors circulating in places other than Wexford? Any speculation would be interesting, the less grounded in fact the better!
dcfcsteve
08/12/2006, 3:35 PM
Is there any news on other teams who are applying? Surely there must be rumors circulating in places other than Wexford? Any speculation would be interesting, the less grounded in fact the better!
OK - heard Linfield and Glasgow Celtic want to join.
Delaney was seen walking out of Old Trafford recently, so clearly Man Ure are interested in joining the EL as well....
:D
passinginterest
08/12/2006, 4:19 PM
There goes Wexford's chances of winning anything. It's going to be like the hurling. Beat the little teams then get hammered by Cork/Man U, or Kilkenny/Celtic. God dam and I thought we were onto a winner!
Clipper
08/12/2006, 4:25 PM
Was there not talk of Tralee putting a team in a few years ago? Anybody heard any news on them this time around?
Bluebeard
08/12/2006, 6:13 PM
Donegal Celtic have applied to join the league. They are talking about splitting home games between their ground in Belfast, and for the more contentious games (Dundalk, Derry, Shamrock Rovers) playing in Crossmaglen under the Armagh GAA County Board's new "Open Arms" policy, and it would also be seen as being very good PR for both the regional franchise and for relations with the GAA. Word has it that the club's arguement has partly been to suggest that this is the first step to an All Ireland league.
In terms of the underage teams and all that, they have long been on top of things and are reputed to have one of the best set ups in the North.
Paddy Kelly is set to step down as manager and take over the Director of Football position, to allow Harry McCue to make his way back into league management. Word on the ground has it that the club expects to be pushing for a European place in 5 years.
Thought it was about time that we had some ridiculous but very slightly plausible rumours
Kerry Blue
08/12/2006, 6:18 PM
Was there not talk of Tralee putting a team in a few years ago? Anybody heard any news on them this time around?
There was supposed to be a team applying to join the league last year, but it never materialised. There isn't really any club in Kerry who would have the funds necessary to maintain an eircom league campaign and none would have enough of a fan base. The only way a team from Kerry could enter the league would be as a development from the Kerry League under 21 team which has done well lately. The KDL would be better equiped to help finance a county team and it would be a lot easier to get support for a Kerry team as opposed to an individual club.
Jerry The Saint
08/12/2006, 10:46 PM
John Delaney has stated that he would like to see Ronan Seery back working in the league so the proposed merger between the last two clubs to join the League has a lot of support within the FAI. Dublin Incorporating County Kildare FC hopes to be more successful than the two previous clubs and Seery estimates they will be competing in the last-16 of the Champions League within 6 months.
CollegeTillIDie
09/12/2006, 6:38 AM
Donegal Celtic not playing in Donegal in the League would probably be welcome in Ballybofey :D
Latcheko
09/12/2006, 4:23 PM
Ah for feck's sake. Wexford? Another bloody Jackeen team. Hello? There's like, three other provinces.
Patrick Dunne
09/12/2006, 4:29 PM
Wexford would be a welcome addition. Strawberries, hurling, Mattie Forde, and general affability spring to mind.
If GUFC travel there next year it will be the biggest invading force since 1798 !
Latcheko
09/12/2006, 4:47 PM
I've nothing against Wexford but I'd prefer a team a little further away from Dublin just for a bit more regional variation or something. Ach, I'll shut up now.
DmanDmythDledge
09/12/2006, 11:03 PM
who? no-one else has applied.
The FAI have said that there has been more than one application to join the Eircom League next season.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.