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A lot is being made in other threads of the cost of participation in the LOI, so I thought I'd set up a different thread for the issue.
What ways could costs realistically be reduced to protect current clubs, and make joining the league more attractive to new ones?
Off the top of my head, perhaps collective bargaining for transport, insurance, and policing might reduce overheads. Then there's the classic of regionalising the leagues, but there are already 30 threads on that.
The league entry fee is a joke, clubs finishing outside the top 3 automatically make a loss straight away. Think its 19 or 20k to enter. Thats alot for smaller teams on considerable low budgets.
We have a utilities company as sponsor as the clubs don't receive anything from them. That'd be a start
I think a huge way you could cut costs for new clubs would be to cut there travelling by regionalising the first division for a few years at least till clubs find their feet. For example what would be the cost to just rent a bus from Cobh or Tralee up to Harps, €1,000+ ?? Then have to do that twice a season and maybe 3 or 4 times depending on cup draws.
The price of officials in the first division too. The last I heard you could be talking €1,500-€2,000 just for the officials. I'm open to correction on that one though.
More promotion of the first division in the newspapers, radio announcements, mns and sports news on rte/tv3 is needed to be pushed also. A lot of people probably don't even realise there is a first division so when it comes to promoting the clubs they are way behind straight away meaning the costs will be higher trying to get word around of games, news etc....
The participation fee has to be reduced or the prize money increased.
Organising a collective sponsorship of the league by a brand like oneills or umbro that will then supply training equipment, footballs etc...for the clubs.
Why dont clubs come together and say we wont pay any player in the league more than €500 a week, most players are not good enough to play anywhere else so will end up playing in LOI anyway, Maybe Fai could reduce affilication fees & Refs fees etc
I actually think that this is the only thing approaching a "magic bullet" in terms of solutions. Publicity, and then more publicity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jofspring
Another comedy gold post brought to you by the good folks at GUSTQuote:
Originally Posted by Trainee
Was watching MNS the other week and noticed two completely bored garda out on am empty terrace on their own in the rain, think it was Dundalk. It had me wondering do LOI clubs pay for this? i sincerely hope not.
A wage cap would be something worth looking at but really, there are very little clubs paying out that kind of money anymore.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainee
There's nothing stopping clubs only offering €20 a week. No one but the clubs sets wages. players can ask for what they like. Clubs can pay what they like. (provided 65% blah blah)Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainee
yes, they do pay for itQuote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
I think the minimum you can pay a player is €50 in wages. You can give him "expenses" though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Would regionalising not require FAI and IL integration otherwise Donegal/Cavan/Monaghan teams would lose out with a tiny Ulster region? Surely all it would take is for the directors of each team to collectively demand a league fee reduction and whatever other silly terms there is to be removed before they sign up? If teams didn't agree to the terms we wouldn't have a problem!
Regionalising is not a good idea as if you have a group of 6-8 teams, clubs will play each other too often or they wont have a enough home games in a season, Clubs must have a min of 15 home games a season other I dont think it will workQuote:
Originally Posted by horton
Geting Mark Rossiter in as a Consultant in this area would be money well spent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy
Like the current 1st Division?Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainee
I also fall very firmly into the Clubs-should-stop-offering-wages-they can't-afford camp. The entry fee is too high and should be looked at but we're not talking about enough money there to suddenly make insolvent clubs thriving examples of professionalism. Wages are definitely the biggest drain on what passes for resources here.
I can understand for the big games but do they really need the coppers out for the small games - Bray V UCD, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
I go to a lot of small club games here in and around London and for some games you never see a copper (games with similar/slightly bigger attendances)
How much would it generally cost Dodge?
I suppose that's an issue of "Just in case"
If there was a fight or trouble, regardless of the size of the crowd, the first thing people might ask is "Why wasn't there any security?"
I presume they subsidize the St Johns crowd too.
Honestly haven't a clue. There isn't even a uniform approach is its down to local sergeants. Some clubs may have better relations than others etcQuote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt