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Lads,
I heard recently (and I can't name my source) that St Pats were in a meeting with the FAI where they were told that it is now government policy NOT to approve grant funding for any Dublin clubs because they want to force ground sharing on us.
The Government Plan being...
Pats + Rovers = Tallaght
Bohs + Shels = Abbotstown
Dodgey, MrNightclub, MMS, can you confirm or deny.
Well we were told that the last grant we got would be the last for that reason. Not sure whether they want to force groundsharing on us, more likely their way of making cutbacks (without using that word)
posted that on this board ages ago VW
Makes sense.
How on earth does that make sense?
If you ask me it is the best possible strategy to reduce four clubs to two in the long run.
why? would you want to move 5 miles out of town to a site with almost no transport links, no pubs and no sustaining community? whatever about Shels and Rovers, whose links with their original areas are by now tenuous, for us and Pats, D7 and Inchicore have, respectively, been home to generations of fans; the clubs are part of the area, and the areas would be poorer without them. I don't want to have to drive for an hour in rush hour traffic on a friday to get to a home match, but at least I can; the generation of Bohs fans now in their teens won't have that option. I don't object to groundsharing as such; but Dalymount is a much better option for us and Shels than Abbotstown. At least Inchicore and Tallaght are decently connected by the Luas so that one might work, but I'd be sorry to see richmond goQuote:
Originally Posted by pete
I don't really care what location as thats up to the clubs themselves.
I don't know if eL sides in Dublin have much links with local communities anymore. Pats have good links with Inchicore but no other sides have much local links anymore.
It appears to be another chance for the govt. and F.A.I. to fcuk over the EL.IMO the govt. and the F.A.I. would much sooner see our best players go across the water and play 3rd tier footie than stay here.The F.A.I. and the govt. do not want to invest in the game here as it would mean the F.A.I. would have to do some work and maybe even give up the 1st class seats they so proudly sit in travelling all over the world.From what i can see the future of the EL hangs in the balance.It suffers from poor exposure,poor crowds,lack of funding and always being second fiddle to lower level english football.For a lot of people in power the EL is like the dirty end of the stick which no one wants to touch.Without huge improvements there will be no future for fulltime football in this country other than a couple of clubs.If that happens then the league will end up like the SPL.I have played soccer and gaelic all over this country and it's amazing how all GAA clubs have dressing rooms and showers as a bear minimum yet with a lot of soccer pitches you get togged out on the sideline and you have nowhere to even go for a p1ss other than a ditch.The unfortunate fact is that the EL is viewed by many as a part time no future novelty soccer league.
go and play in cobh if its such a good idea!Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Thats like telling Pats to go lay in Bray which is not what i'm suggesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roverstillidie
Dublin clubs need facilities to attract punters whereas non Dublin clubs have greater community spirit as usually the only eL club in the City or County.
Building costs are so much more expensive in Dublin so no chance existing clubs will improve their facilities in the short term. How you you get the locla authority to spend money on 1 clubs ground instead of another like Rovers situation?
Bray are not a dublin club, believe it or not - Pats and Wanderers are in totally different countys
You might as well be. Pats of all the Dublin clubs are most connected with the local area. Hence their reluctance to leave.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Shels have no fans, hence their enthusiasm to sell their lease in Tolka and start agan somewhere else.
Groundsharing in Italy works in MUNICIPAL STADIUMS FULLY FUNDED AND MAINTAINED BY THE STATE.
Have to say I'm getting a bit tired of this non-Dublin pontificating about what's good for Dublin clubs.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
This is a deeply sinister plot: where is it coming from and who is driving it?
BTW Pats will never leave Inchicore. If we start seling it out every week, they'll start looking but tbh I can't seeit happening
You sir are an idiot!Quote:
Originally Posted by Roverstillidie
I have mixed feelings on groundshare, although wouldn't mind so much if it kept us away from Lissenhall!!!
Thanks to the Pat's lads, I just wanted an independant confirmation.
Pete
Your attitude is an "I'm allright Jack" attitude.
I think Cork City and Cobh Ramblers should sell their grounds and share a new ground in Youghal.
I strongly suspect that this is an FAI initiative, and that they are either using the government funding/view as an excuse to hide their 'big idea' behind, and/or they have told the government of their 'blueprint' for ground-sharing and the gov has agreed. As the Kaiser Chiefs would probably lament : "Every day I trust them (the FAI) less and less..."
Our clubs struggle as it is to attract crowds. Having 2 teams competing with each other for the loyalty of the population of a single area like, for example, Tallaght will make that job even harder. Why put our clubs in direct copmpetition with each other for support. Dublin is a big city, with room for 4 big clubs I believe.
so why exactly are shels planning on leaving a centrally located ground to move 20 miles up the coast? the scenery?Quote:
Originally Posted by Drumcondra Red
because your success on the pitch has not been mirrored on the terraces. Rovers at their lowest ever ebb consitantly get more in the door, and pats aint having a great time either, but more punters in.
oily wants a greenfield site and not have to compete with the bores and chf for local fans. hardly a secret!
As soon as Rovers get into Tallaght and Shels move to north County Dublin, I think the situation will look quite different. Bohs and Pats will perhaps consolidate their situations as the two "city centre" clubs, while Shels and Rovers will have the opportunity to develop a local fanbase in areas where, hopefully, they'll be based for some time.
To get rid of the idea of ground sharing it's probably imperative that the two moves take place as it's the apparent proximity of the clubs that provides the impetus towards ground sharing.
I think i'd agree with that but guarantee Shels move will ever happen. Their plans are currently sketchy at best. As you say Shels & Rovers will essentially be county teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by rerun