Genesis III must leave no stone unturned
Genesis III must leave no stone unturned
Wednesday May 25th 2005
SO the Genesis people are back examining Irish football and this time it's the Eircom League that is the focus of their attentions.
They have been commissioned to talk to all the stakeholders in the Eircom League, find out their views and then combine their findings with their own expertise to draft a 'White Paper' that could be used to map the way forward following the merger with the FAI.
Clubs, players, managers, fans, media, sponsors, administrators and legislators will all be quizzed by the consultants over the coming weeks.
One hopes that the Genesis people will learn from the mistakes they made in 2002 and talk to all stakeholders including those people who may not be directly involved at present but can still give the consultants the benefit of their experience.
Three years ago, after being called in to look at Ireland's World Cup preparations, Genesis's brief was extended to look at the structure of the FAI itself but the credibility took a nosedive when it emerged that some of the most influential figures in Irish football weren't consulted. Des Casey was honorary secretary of the FAI when Genesis were commissioned and is still the most experienced football legislator this country has ever produced. He is a former vice-president of UEFA and still carries tremendous influence in the European football's corridors of power.
He should have been one of the first names on the Genesis list but, for reasons that have never been properly explained, he was never asked his opinion on the World Cup preparations or the structures of the FAI.
Casey is also a former treasurer of the Eircom League and those with longish memories will remember that he left that organisation in a very healthy financial state before departing for Europe. His vast experience of the domestic and world game demands that this is one brain that the Genesis consultants would do well to pick in the coming weeks.
He's not the only one with something to offer. Michael Hyland was president of the Eircom League from 1994 until 2002 and would be able to give Genesis a valuable insight into the psyche of the organisation as would his successor Brendan Dillon, who found his efforts to move the Eircom League forward stymied by the politics of Irish football.
Others no longer involved in the corridors of power include Tommy Allen, Roy Dooney, Declan Ó Luanaigh and Derek Wilkinson but they too can offer Genesis an independent view.
As Genesis wind their way around the country they will discover a multitude of problems, many of which are caused by a lack of corporate direction. The clubs run the show and approach almost every corporate decision with a 'mé féin' attitude.
It's not surprising because that's what happens when you have a system where those who sit on the Board of Control and Board of Management of the Eircom League are delegates sent to represent their clubs in Merrion Square.
It will be interesting to see if Genesis conclude that there are too many clubs in the Eircom League; that there should be one division; that live television games should be spread evenly over the season; that primitive facilities are deterring new fans; and that clubs aren't properly rooted in their local communities
Genesis I suggested sweeping changes within the FAI; Genesis II, carried out earlier this year, pronounced itself happy with the changes that occurred. All eyes are now on Genesis III because the future of the Eircom League could depend on it.
Gerry McDermott
Bootroom
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