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Athlone have to be the worst supported team in the EL, that includes the likes of Kilkenny and the Mons. Can't have been more than 100 people at the match.
The FAI have to take a serious look at the situation.
Have they any sort of plan 5 years etc for the Division? Its nearly impossible get out or get into the Division.:(
When we played the Mons away last week their was only around 100 at the game and at least half them were Rovers supporters if not more I don't know how they keep going with crowds like that.
I think most of Monaghan's revenue comes from their bar, which is supposed to be fairly full every day except for match day!
Brings a new meaning to the term "pub team".;)
Athlone were winning the FAI Cup when there were next to no football clubs in Kildare, so less of yer lip.
Many of the clubs in the first division would be in Intermediate football if it did not exist so there's no real problem.
I wish you were rightQuote:
Originally posted by TommyT
so there's no real problem.
:(
Even the dogs on the street know something has to be done. I'd say the FAI are delighted with your blinkerd view of things.:p
Nothing blinkered about it I'd say Station Road is attracting bigger crowds than it was 3 years ago :rolleyes:
Just being realistic. Ireland is a small country and football is the only sport that is partitioned, we don't have the srength in depth to have a large top division and produce acredible league that can start to punch our weight in Europe.
Don't know what point your try to make?Quote:
Originally posted by TommyT
Nothing blinkered about it I'd say Station Road is attracting bigger crowds than it was 3 years ago :rolleyes:
I was talking about DIVISION ONE not the Premier.Quote:
Originally posted by TommyT
Just being realistic. Ireland is a small country and football is the only sport that is partitioned, we don't have the srength in depth to have a large top division and produce acredible league that can start to punch our weight in Europe.
As for clubs doing well in Europe.
Parttitioned:D surely you can think of something better. No point in using that as a scape goat:rolleyes:
The traditional moan from fans of first division clubs is that the ten team league is ****ing them up and so should be abandoned. I'm pointing out that in order to concentrate resources and maintain standards a 10 team league is the best option. Partition means we work off a lower catchment area for the league, surely yoiu can cop that, if there was an AIL I'd be more amenable to expanding the numbers.Quote:
Originally posted by Estar
Don't know what point your try to make?
I was talking about DIVISION ONE not the Premier.
As for clubs doing well in Europe.
Parttitioned:D surely you can think of something better. No point in using that as a scape goat:rolleyes:
The point Iwas trying tomake about Station Road is that if the First Division didn't exist and there was one big division (as some clubs in the first would like) you'd never have got the chance in the league, if the First Division has problems whatdoes that say about the LSL.
I'm talking about Division 1, not The Premier I haven't got a problem with a 10 team league comprendo.Quote:
Originally posted by TommyT
The traditional moan from fans of first division clubs is that the ten team league is ****ing them up and so should be abandoned. I'm pointing out that in order to concentrate resources and maintain standards a 10 team league is the best option.
Don't agree it's a dead duck, would have happened before now if it was such a good idea. A European League is the future of soccer, ask any Bohs fan.Quote:
Originally posted by TommyT
Partition means we work off a lower catchment area for the league, surely yoiu can cop that, if there was an AIL I'd be more amenable to expanding the numbers.
So if your using this logic, YOU'D be watching no football if Kilcoyne got his way.Quote:
Originally posted by TommyT
The point Iwas trying tomake about Station Road is that if the First Division didn't exist and there was one big division you'd never have got the chance in the league.
Tommy get of your high horse, and go see a Division 1 match and you will know why I think the FAI should give Div 1 clubs a little more help.
There's another thread about an All-Ireland league further down if you wnat to give your views there, I was simply talking hypothetically about the expanding the Premier. IMO (and yours apparently) 10 teams is enough for 4 million people.Quote:
Originally posted by Estar
So if your using this logic, YOU'D be watching no football if Kilcoyne got his way.
Tommy get of your high horse, and go see a Division 1 match and you will know why I think the FAI should give Div 1 clubs a little more help.
I don't see what you're on about Kilcoyne for, he got his way and made his money.
I was at Dublin City v Limerick just the other week, having seen the second half of their game v Monaghan before that, I've watched them in all their guises about 3-4 times a year.
Anyway enough bickering, what changes would you like to see ?
I think alot of the responsibility that is on the club is not extraordinary .... they just have to get on with it. It is the making of a club, ambition, loads of hard work and headache but the ambition to excel. The FAI are coming around i think, with the Genisis (spelling?) but we have to keep on the pressure.
What i will say is that fans are not involved enough. (That goes for alot of premier clubs aswell) There is not united group or voice for fans and that is killing us. We have no say. Against the FAI or the clubs. Fans/Supporters should have far more pulling power than they have right now. And if they were united then it would make things easier for clubs and the FAI as they would then have someone to approach and consult with. At the moment it is a mess.
I would just like the FAI to have a 5 year plan and set a few Goals. What do they want to achive with this Division?
Better Marketing of the Division.
Show a few games live lets say on TG4 from Gealteacht areas Galway, Donegal,Cork, and charging the company a small fee.
And you didn't come over to discuss semi-underground, semi-alternative American power pop? Tommy, I'm distraught!:eek:Quote:
Originally posted by TommyT
I was at Dublin City v Limerick just the other week
It's hard to know what to do about the first division. The crowds are tiny and it must be very tough for clubs to keep going.
I was for the 10 team Premier league when it started but now there's very little chance for teams to come up.
It's up to the FAI to do something. The Premier clubs, especially the likes of Shels, are perfectly happy not to have to associate with what they consider "inferior" clubs.
Did anyone read Fenlons thinly disguised comments about certain teams bring down the league(i think he meant Drogheda). Meanwhile his chairman is in court and as league leaders they get 600 to home league games (so says Cork City chairman in last Fridays programme notes).
Its a disgrace that Limerick doesn't have a decent ground. Athlone will be officially a city soon so the FAI should concentrate on developing facilities in these places(I know Athlone have a new ground coming on stream soon).
Fair dues to anyone supporting or running first div clubs in such difficult circumstances. Ye're getting little enough help from the top brass.