What is the future now for EL?

[padjoe]

just wondering does anyone see a bright light in any form coming at the end of a bleak pre-season especially as so many of the league's stars have jumped ship to clubs across the water, stephen kenny leaving derry for dunfermline, limerick being rejected a licence, our league champions on the verge of extinction. is there anything positive to be taken from all this as we stand on the brink of the new FAI premiership. are clubs going to be able to build on the success in europe in previous years if they are after losing their top players who are plying their trade else where and is the league attractive to other players who might want to return home? it all makes me worried because it seems the league has become a victim of its own success now and progress may have been set back for another while..am i being a diva about all this?? any opinions???

[Soper]

Well, Derry and Drogheda haven't lost anyobody important, so Europe will be okay...as long as Shels don't enter.

Most of the players that went weren't that good, bar Byrne, Bennet and a few others.

[khoop]

Plenty of clubs are doing quite nicely thank-you.

Athlone is buzzing.

Limerick looks like it may have finally got things sorted.

Wexford are joining the fold.

Dundalk - for all their complaining - have made great strides.

Bohs are looking to the future with a ground move.

Galway have great things planned apparently.

Drogheda have the new stadium in the pipe-line.

Finn Harps likewise.

Bray have made major improvements.

Oh - and at Rovers - it's onwards and upwards.

This list could go on forever.

So apart from cheating Shels - everything is fine. Couldn't be better.

Does that answer your question?

[A face]

Plenty of clubs are doing quite nicely thank-you.

Athlone is buzzing.

Limerick looks like it may have finally got things sorted.

Wexford are joining the fold.

Dundalk - for all their complaining - have made great strides.

Bohs are looking to the future with a ground move.

Galway have great things planned apparently.

Drogheda have the new stadium in the pipe-line.

Finn Harps likewise.

Bray have made major improvements.

Oh - and at Rovers - it's onwards and upwards.

This list could go on forever.

So apart from cheating Shels - everything is fine. Couldn't be better.

Does that answer your question?

Exactly, its the newspapers job to look at thing negatively and make the league look bad, but the thing is there is great stuff happening in the league, it might not be 'newsworthy' the national media most of the time but it is still happening.

The main thing is the league has to keep pushing the standards and getting things right both on and OFF the pitch.

[Dodge]

Only club to have a bad pre-season AFAICS is Shels, and maybe Longford. Evryone else is happy enough (bar Maxi's lot obviously)

Best preseason ever IMO. can't wait for the season to start

[Dr.Nightdub]

just wondering does anyone see a bright light in any form coming

Yep, it's hovering over Tolka Park like the star of Bethlehem, announcing to the world "Come ye and give thanks". Kinda fitting too, seeing as they've already had the great flood and Ollie's been a plague on the League for years.

[Celdrog]

Yes, I can see a bright light.

Drogs have probably the strongest squad we have ever had. We get to defend a cup for the second successive season (after 40 odd barren years)
Looks like we will finally get a new top of the range ground.
And we got great odds on winning the league so Christmas is already sorted.:D

Shels all but gone (unfortunately). Derry as strong as last year. Cork finally getting a decent transfer fee from Reading. Bohs coming back, Pats looking good, Galway back where they belong. Rovers back in the premier. Dundalk still in the graveyard

Europe again beckons as a huge success for Irish clubs.

All in all things look good would be my view.
So PadJoe you are allowed to write something positive;)

[BohsPartisan]

Yeah, I can't wait for the new season. After a couple of years of pure horror for us there is a light at the end of the tunnel (hopefully not an oncoming train). Hopefully all the off the field rubbish will be settled soon and we can get down to the football (I think we sometimes forget what its really about.)

[Magicme]

Mons have the new Regional Development Centre to look forward to bringing even more young players on. This year will see the greatest representation of our underage set up in the Senior squad with young lads aged from 17 up showing that the development model works.

Future is looking bright up here!

[blackholesun]

Survival of the fittest ... Shels have been on life support for years and its about time things caught up with them ...

Re players going away, most of them were not great anyway, only 2 or 3 genuine losses to the league, loads of opps now for young players to come through at several clubs which can only be a good thing.

The reality is that the league is in the best shape its been in decades, but the press spin is that its on its last legs.

Rovers announced a 25000 profit last season over the weekend, did it get much publicity? NO, cause negative news sells ...

bhs

[Lim till i die]

This year will see the greatest representation of our underage set up in the Senior squad with young lads aged from 17 up showing that the development model works.


*Cough*We have *Cough* no money *Cough* :p

Seriously lads this pre-season doesn't exactly bode well for getting the "Barstool Monkeys" (TM Foot.ie) off their stools and into LOI grounds. Why if I didn't know better I'd swear the league was a shambles :ball:

[Magicme]

For us the young local lads are the key to getting the monkeys off those stools and onto the ones in our fine Bagster Lounge at half time!!!

Yeah we have not got a lot of money for our senior team, but thats because we look to the future and have a long term sustainable plan to ensure that football will always be alive in Monaghan.

[BohsPartisan]

Have you still got Edward Keyes?

[Magicme]

No....he's gone!

More of our squad will be announced today

[BohDiddley]

Plenty of clubs are doing quite nicely thank-you.

Athlone is buzzing.

Limerick looks like it may have finally got things sorted.

Wexford are joining the fold.

Dundalk - for all their complaining - have made great strides.

Bohs are looking to the future with a ground move.

Galway have great things planned apparently.

Drogheda have the new stadium in the pipe-line.

Finn Harps likewise.

Bray have made major improvements.

Oh - and at Rovers - it's onwards and upwards.

This list could go on forever.

So apart from cheating Shels - everything is fine. Couldn't be better.

Does that answer your question?

Press please copy.
That post should be made a sticky.
In addition...

more television coverage promised
more, and better informed, press coverage (especially in redtops)
more money for promotion
better regulation (we hope)
league as a career option for players, with education deals, no longer bypassed en route to England
better integration with schoolboy system
growing disenchantment with corporate football/EPL/G14

[gufct]

Things are on the up on Corribside not alone back in the Premier but we have a full time Professional set up on and off the field, 500 season tickets sold including 25 Gold at €1,500 5 weeks befor kickoff and planning permission before the end of the week for a new 1,500 seater stand with work to begin immediately and a finish date for the end of June this year.

Shels problems have been flagged for years here its just everyone including the press were afraid to tackle ollie. As for the cream of the league leaving id hardly call Trevor Molloy,Paul Keegan ,Sean Dillon,Robbie Doyle and Danny Murphy that.

As for the others at least clubs are getting semi-decent fees for them and I think any players heading over from now on will not go on the cheap/

[Dodge]

As for the cream of the league leaving id hardly call Trevor Molloy,Paul Keegan ,Sean Dillon,Robbie Doyle and Danny Murphy that.


Dillon was, without doubt, one of the players of last season. Superb central defender. I agree with your point in genereal but wouldn't have used those examples.

[stickyjoe]

Some good things happening alright but the most disappointing thing for me is the attendances, the matches I seen in Dublin throughout last season for the most part were absolutely pathetic.

I`m not sure there was even more then 5,000 at an FAI Semi between Pats and Rovers. And thats not to single out them clubs as I seen attendences at Shels, UCD and Bohs that all appeared to me to only have a few hundred at them.

[dcfcsteve]

The future for the EL isn't actually all that bad. The standard of play is decent and continually improving, faciltiies are slowly but surely getting better, there is more money in the league, and European performances are unlikely to go back to the level they were at only a few seasons ago any time soon.

However - do we have the ability to take a step-up to the next level ? To attract bigger crowds - even 5,000 at an average game would be a greatv start ! The answer to this is, I fear, no. Without some sort of step change in the image and publicity fro our league, I can't see how we can capitalise on all the good work and get substantially more people into our grounds any time soon.

Consistently good European results will help - but can anyone see thousands of new flans flocking to see Longford v UCD (no offense guys !) or any otehr league game, even if we were clocking-up results against decent European competition ?

The key to breaking this cycle is, I believe, the FAI. Something substantially different needs to be done in promoting our league. An all-island league might be the answer here. But we have never seen our national association (you know - the one's who say 'we care about Irish football...' :o ) make even a half-arsed attempt at promoting our league. I can't help but belive that if they introduced a well-thought out promotional campaign - including making best use of the 60,000-odd captive audience they will have at Croke Park 8 times a year - that within 2 season we would start to see the results at the turnstiles.

Sadly - there is more chance of Ian Paisley being made Pope than the FAI making an effort to promote domestic football..... :mad:

[DiscoPants]

The future.....

We realise that selling your best players is just a fact of life for clubs in smaller leagues. A proper transfer market dvelops between Ireland and Britain, wherby we realise substantial transfer fees for our best players.

In order for this to happen clubs have show a bit more savvy in their contractual dealings with players, ie increasingly try to tie them down to long-term deals (not as easy as it sounds). Cork City have already sold Bennett for €380k and all clubs should use this as a benchmark in future deals.

Money is no good if it is not invested properly, though. Clubs need to rethink their wages policies (hopefully the salary cap will take care of this) and stop being so short-sighted by throwing money at players in the hope of instant success.

Any money from future transfers needs to be invested in PROPER youth structures and the development of academies in conjunction with the FAI. Young players will see the Eircom League as a viable alternative to the traditional path of leaving for Britain at 15.

We develop our own top quality players, and sell them if the need arises. Its a tried and tested formula and perhaps this is where the future of the league lies.

Then again.....

[Magicme]

The key to breaking this cycle is, I believe, the FAI. Something substantially different needs to be done in promoting our league. An all-island league might be the answer here. But we have never seen our national association (you know - the one's who say 'we care about Irish football...' :o ) make even a half-arsed attempt at promoting our league. I can't help but belive that if they introduced a well-thought out promotional campaign - including making best use of the 60,000-odd captive audience they will have at Croke Park 8 times a year - that within 2 season we would start to see the results at the turnstiles.

Sadly - there is more chance of Ian Paisley being made Pope than the FAI making an effort to promote domestic football..... :mad:


Paisley for Pope then! I think the FAI are closer to coming up with the goods than you think. Next Friday there is a communications seminar on in Dublin where (hopefully) all clubs will be in attendance and learn more productive ways of marketing themselves. Also appointing Noel Mooney to help all clubs in their promotion of the game is a big step forward, have never seen such an enthusiastic person! He was nearly peeing his pants with excitement at the thoughts of putting bums on seats in the eL when he met with us b4 Christmas. There are ideas and a budget in place so while it may not make drastic inroads it is gonna make a difference.

[pete]

I am optimistic that the FAI can do something to improve & promote the league however it must be difficult with the ongoing off the field problems. Would be pointless having a promotional campaign with having to fight for media coverage amoung Shels collapse...

[Macy]

and maybe Longford.
Playing wise it probably wasn't the best, but for the future of the club I think it's been hugely positive as after a couple of years of starting, we're really getting financial realism and sustainability at the club.

There are a lot of positives to the close season, but the continued inaction of the FAI in terms of promotion of the league and licencing, particularly with regard to shels, really frustrates me. They have failed to kill the shels story, and so it continues to rumble on doing harm.

[khoop]

I can't help but belive that if they introduced a well-thought out promotional campaign - including making best use of the 60,000-odd captive audience they will have at Croke Park 8 times a year

Well yes - but unfortunately the GAA have the giant screens bagged for those gigs.....

:mad:

[BohsPartisan]

They'll be in use for the Ireland internationals though surely.

[pete]

Transfer prices have already started to increase & Cork City rejected bid worth up to 550k euro + large sell on clause from Hull City last night.

When we rejected much smaller bid from Southend earlier in the close season Roy O'Donovan was not disappointed ash eknew he was better than that & willing to wait for club to sell to bigger club. It wasn't so long ago irish clubs & players jumped at the chance of selling players for the Championship in England...

[BohsPartisan]

Not a wind up or anything Pete genuine question. When are Cork going to spend some of the money replacing the players that left?

[NY Hoop]

The future is proper facilities at all grounds and some clubs are making an effort in fairness.

Also a proper one hour highlights programme at a reasonable hour. You can have all the live games you want but the fact that there is still no cameras at some premier games in this day and age is a thundering disgrace.

Some clubs (2 in the premier) do not even have a tv gantry:eek:

KOH

[pete]

Not a wind up or anything Pete genuine question. When are Cork going to spend some of the money replacing the players that left?

No idea. Scouting in progress apparently... I think squad of about 15 players currently...

[Soper]

NY Hoop - I agree wholeheartedly with your point about gantrys.Just to use an example, even the local rugby team here in Caerphilly has a quality gantry, albeit from back before rugby was 'regionalised'.Clubs need to tidy up the small things, like putting roofs on stands, having the toilets clean etc.

[pete]

I see the GAA have got 80,000 people turning up to see nice bright big lights. is there a lesson for the FAI here & how can we market...?

[paul_oshea]

create a good stadium with lots of lights? pete i thought you worked in computers? :D

[SligoBrewer]

I see the GAA have got 80,000 people turning up to see nice bright big lights. is there a lesson for the FAI here & how can we market...?

its a ball of ****e

an average game ie bogball
in an average match ie national bogball league
that wouldnt attract 2 fans normally..

seriously..
i think they're all goin for the saw doctors gig!:eek: :D

[A face]

id hardly call Trevor Molloy,Paul Keegan ,Sean Dillon, Robbie Doyle and Danny Murphy that.


Sorry now but both player would be welcome in any eL side. Danny Murphy part of the meanest defence over the last few seasons and Dillion was an excellent player.

[charliesboots]

bas examples to use....agree with other posters about Dillon and Murphy. Surprised nobody else has mentioned Keego - perhaps the most naturally talented target man to play in the league this century. He's done it for NE Revolution in the States, he's done it Pats, Bohs, Longford and Bray here and no doubt he'll produce the business in Scotland too. The eircom League's loss is most definitely Scotland's gain.

[Soper]

There has to be at least some players in the League that could step up to the 'plate' and be the next batch of stars?

[Magicme]

yes there are Soper, and we are feeding them angel dust up here! ;)

[NY Hoop]

NY Hoop - I agree wholeheartedly with your point about gantrys.Just to use an example, even the local rugby team here in Caerphilly has a quality gantry, albeit from back before rugby was 'regionalised'.Clubs need to tidy up the small things, like putting roofs on stands, having the toilets clean etc.

How about your own club getting one then? A guy with a handycam surrounded by fans in the main stand just doesnt cut it.

KOH

[Soper]

Alas, we would if I owned the club.

[NY Hoop]

Alas, we would if I owned the club.

You dont need to own the club to make a suggestion. When our previous incompetents were ruining the club the fans paid for the games to be covered. Find out how much it would be to put up a gantry and say to the club the fans will pay half if they do. Just an idea.

KOH

[Soper]

Yeah, I know what you're saying.I'm sure other fans have suggested it already though...also, I believe we are putting in a new section in the middle of the stand that faces our 'good' one, so I envisage that there will be a gantry there, and not before time.

[lofty9]

I was chatting to a good friend of Delaney's through work. He told me that Delaney's main goal is to improve the stature of the eircom league and that by doing so his own profile will be enhanced if he can do it. Apparently he is going all out to raise the profile of the game here and raise the bar. Typical PR blah blah, but that got me thinking..

Looking after number 1 is his priority in all this, but if he achieves what I've been told he believes he can, then he can look after himself with my best wishes. The benefits for him in successfully helping improve the game here will be noticed everywhere and will have a knock on effect on youth development and maybe future internationals. I know this has been said before but it's the first time that someone within the FAI has grasped the nettle and realises that we have an untapped resource and product that just needs to be manipulated in some way. The FAI apparently want the marketing angle to slant towards a 'patriotic league' of some description too.

[paul_oshea]

The FAI apparently want the marketing angle to slant towards a 'patriotic league' of some description too.

A la the gaa all-ireland championship, i think this is a brilliant idea.

[neutrino]

You dont need to own the club to make a suggestion. When our previous incompetents were ruining the club the fans paid for the games to be covered. Find out how much it would be to put up a gantry and say to the club the fans will pay half if they do. Just an idea.

KOH

for all the good work the people at sligo rovers do, unfortunately listening isnt one of them. it's all been suggested before - gantries etc. the board keep harping on about the 'new' stand. well not new anymore and should be the focal point of all tv highlights. everything has been suggested including getting the 'new' stand sponsored by a decent sponsor and use some of the money to build gantry over the opposite stand. thus the sponsor get's exposure every week on the highlights. nothing has been done about it. i think the club are waiting to knock the jinks stand and rebuilding it with the gantry. sure that's long time away.

it's the very simple things that can make a big difference. the handycam reality tv view is embarrassing.

[Martinho II]

Playing wise it probably wasn't the best, but for the future of the club I think it's been hugely positive as after a couple of years of starting, we're really getting financial realism and sustainability at the club.

There are a lot of positives to the close season, but the continued inaction of the FAI in terms of promotion of the league and licencing, particularly with regard to shels, really frustrates me. They have failed to kill the shels story, and so it continues to rumble on doing harm.

it has being a depressing season for us but we are finally sorting out our long term debts through the ltfc supporters trust- we have nearly 100 members on board and one of our foot.ie contingent xlex is on the board for the trust! plus as well there are new faces on the exectutive commitee!

we might have a crap season coming up but we have to cut our cloth and hopefully things will work out for us finanically over next couple of years and rebuild the club!

[Longfordian]

That's the spirit Martin! If we stay pretty clear of injuries and suspensions etc. we may not do all that badly. Won't be contending for anything mind you. Hopefully a couple of new faces will be coming in shortly to give us a bit of lift

[Dodge]

Good to hear Longford fans

[Dr.Nightdub]

So that's Longford copping themselves on financially, we've done the same, Bohs as well, UCD have been doing it for years and the fan-run Rovers seem almost militant about the concept.

I think Cork are possibly the best example of the lot - having won the League and had another good European run, it would've been easy for them to see themselves on the verge of a breakthrough and throw money at it in order to make the leap. But instead, they've taken on board the fact that accepting worthwhile offers for players can buy a lot of sustainable progress.

I know the two situations are very very different (but could've been more similar if Cork were run by an Ollie-type chairman) - Shels had to grab with pathetic gratitude the €100k Cardiff put up for Jason Byrne, Cork are willing to wave away five times that for O'Donovan on the basis that they can get more for him.

Having got the attitudes in place, the next step is to get the infrastructure in place as regards a conveyor of future talent and that's where no-one seems to have really grasped the nettle in terms of youth development, academies, etc. That's got to be viewed as an investment rather than a cost but no-one seems prepared to make that particular leap just yet - everyone (and I include Pats in this) views progress as being achieved through transfers of established players.