Merger with FAI the best way to progress
Merger with FAI the best way to progress
Wednesday January 5th 2005
IS there a clear five-year strategic plan for the eircom League? Well, if there is, it's being kept well under wraps.
Twelve months ago there was a buzz within the League about a potential merger with the FAI. As we enter 2005, this prospect seems to be further away than ever - if it hasn't died totally. I hope it hasn't, as I believe that a merger under the right terms presents the best opportunity for the League to go forward.
When it comes to selling power and marketing opportunities, the FAI holds all the cards. The international team is the focus of Irish football - and rightly so - but there needs to be a stronger link between all the different strands of the game. The only way that this can be achieved is by full integration of Irish football under the FAI.
The eircom League can only be described as the sick child in the family of Irish football. Clubs struggle to make ends meet and yet are ambitious enough to want to supply proper facilities for what has become an excellent product.
The introduction of summer football has improved the standard of the game. However, without proper marketing, the clubs cannot compete against the other attractions for potential supporters.
Only the FAI can deliver a cohesive marketing plan that will ensure TV coverage of the League at a time when the young people of Ireland can view it. The current 30-minute programme on a Monday night is only a token effort.
The introduction of the U-21 League has been a positive move. Now it's time to take the next step and introduce an U-18 League, with a view to doing the same at U-16 and U-14.
This would give the best young players an opportunity to perform at a higher standard without having to leave the country. Too many young players are going to England only to return home with their dreams of becoming a professional footballer destroyed. A national league at underage levels could only improve the eircom League in the future.
A new competition between teams from the eircom League and Irish League will start this year. I am excited about the introduction of the Setanta Cup - and not just because Longford Town is involved, which is great. With live TV coverage of each match and a proper marketing budget for the games as part of the package, it is a great opportunity to win over a bigger audience.
All in all, then, there can be a bright future for the eircom League - if the proper strategies are put in place and overseen by a well run, properly structured, properly funded section of the FAI.
* Jim Hanley is the chairman of Longford Town.
Jim Hanley
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