Foot.ie Q&A - Noel Mooney - Questions

A few of these may have been touched on

Why are fans being fined for trying to bring colour and atmosphere to games? This is something that can really make a difference between being live at games and watching a game on TV.
I think it's common sense that lighting flares in a crowd of people is a safety risk but there should be an arrangement that these "displays" are possible in controlled environments. Is this in any way possible?

Do you not think that it is completely disrespectful to fans to fine them for trying to create a better atmosphere? Throwing paper?! Was it littering these fans were fined for?!

Can the FAI help the TV companies choose which games are live? Showing Waterford v Sligo instead of Harps v Derry in the cup just suggests that someone who knows nothing about the eL is making these decisions.

Finally, is there any plan to bring in a uniform kick off time for the league? It has improved a lot in recent seasons but in Division 1 games are still all over the place. Also will Dundalk still be allowed to play games on Thursday nights if they reach the Premier again?

League Of Ireland are a committed bunch.

What can we do to help you and the CPOs promote the League?

Some of these already said, but I'll second them,

How do you feel Limerick 37 and Wexford Youths have done on and off the pitch this season?

Why are fans being fined for adding colour to the games? Why are supporters clubs not allowed sell their fanzines inside the ground? Why aren't we allowed criticise the FAI? Do you not think that moves like these will drive away fans, rather than bring them in?

Why was such something as damaging to the league's reputation amonst non-EL fans like Galway being promoted over Dundalk allowed? How do you plan to reverse the negative look that that incident left in many non-EL fans on the league? Can you convince them that our league isn't a shoddy two-bit operation after a PR disaster like that? *(not a pop at Galway here, I just think that whole incident has left the EL as something of a joke in many peoples eyes)

Is the Genesis Report written after the 2002 World Cup available for fans to read?

In future major announcements, can ye ensure you get all the facts out clearly to people, as some fans aligned with Dundalk, Limerick 37/FC/City/Whateveryou'rehavingyourself and Sligo Rovers are still unaware of the fact that Galway United were not promoted last seaosn and Shelbourne were not demoted. Both were invited to different tiers of a new league.
Likewise, I am not having a pop at other fans as such, but when some simple facts are lost in announcements, it is no wonder they feel angry about something they think happened.

Are you happy with the promotion of the league by chief sponsors? Is there enough local promotion of league games?

I want to add my support for the question about stupid fines - being hit in the pocket to the tune of €500 for fans thropwing paper makes the league a laughing stock.
Thanks, and good luck with continued promotion of a league all of us here hold dearly

Can you describe a typical working day for both yourself and a Premier Division CPO please?

What targets have CPO's got to meet? How is it brokedown ie. weekly, monthly etc.? How long are the contracts they've been given? If it's 1 year and targets aren't met I presume they won't get it re-newed, unlike John Delaney?

Do you think eircom, as sponsors, do enough for the league?

Lads, just limit it to asking questions if you can.

What do you think is the best way to change the general publics perception of the league as a laughing stock? (No Offence)

Do you think the 65% of turnover rule will be inforced?

And if so, then how?

What is your opinion on an in depth magazine show including highlights v the extensive live coverage we have received this season?

are the fai trying to eradicate terracing?
have they looked at safe ticketed terracing?

why should we be forced to sit down and shut up?

Could you ask Bob Breen if he has answers for the set of questions we put together for him?

Why are fanzines banned by FAI regulations ?

Is it not healthy to have opposing views and people who question the authorities from time to time ?

Shouldn't the FAI welcome constructive criticism and use it to improve their organisation ?

How can the FAI improve communications with fans of the clubs and followers of the national team as it may help the public perception of the FAI, which, if you hadn't noticed, isn't a very good one ?!!

Why was the FAI Cup Final moved?

Bear in mind -

(a) The RDS was not double booked on the 25th, as some media sources claimed
(b) No-one cares if John Delaney and Steve Staunton are in South Africa and can't make it, and thre's no point inconveniencing thousands for the benefit of two
(c) People would be able to watch the draw and attend the final if they wanted to, or wouldn't care about missing the draw if necessary
(d) Some players already have holidays booked, which may now have to be changed and
(e) There's now an extra three weeks to the season for two teams, which will include extra wage costs. Will these costs be reimbursed by the FAI, as they are directly responsible?

Is it fair on the CPOs to be asked to promote the league with the knowledge that a farce like this is always around the corner, making their jobs to convince people to attend the league much harder?

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Originally Posted by Student Mullet

Could you ask Bob Breen if he has answers for the set of questions we put together for him?

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Link, so he knows what you're talking about.

Are the FAI a JUNTA like them lot in Burma or just event junkies who go to every availible free event even if means the Cup final is postponed?

It looks like Dundalk may fail to secure promotion for the second year running. Dundalk are one of the clubs registering the highest increase in attendances for this season and generally appear to be getting things right off the field. Do you feel it was a mistake for them to be denied promotion last season? Can we expect to see another process like the IAG ranking system in the near future or was it just a one off process?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Why was the FAI Cup Final moved?

Bear in mind -

(a) The RDS was not double booked on the 25th, as some media sources claimed
(b) No-one cares if John Delaney and Steve Staunton are in South Africa and can't make it, and thre's no point inconveniencing thousands for the benefit of two
(c) People would be able to watch the draw and attend the final if they wanted to, or wouldn't care about missing the draw if necessary
(d) Some players already have holidays booked, which may now have to be changed and
(e) There's now an extra three weeks to the season for two teams, which will include extra wage costs. Will these costs be reimbursed by the FAI, as they are directly responsible?

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I would like to reiterate these (above) questions. But would also like to know why was the FAI Cup Final arranged for the same day as the World Cup Draw in the first place? Does anybody in the FAI know how to research?

Also, there is a growing perception among the hardcore supporters of eircom League clubs that the FAI is not only not encouraging them to support their sides but actually seem to be actively disencouraging support e.g. fining both Finn Harps and Derry City for "the throwing of paper" while they were creating atmosphere at their recent derby cup match? Do you not agree that this policy is counter productive? Should the FAI actually be supporting the genuine supporters of the clubs in this country?

Finally, I heard a story from several sources that John Delaney is a season ticket holder/executive box owner (leaser whatever) at Old Trafford.
1. Is this true?
2. If it is true, does this in itself not send out a message to those that we are trying to encourage to get behind domestic football, that if the 'top man' spends more of his time supporting Manchester United, then we are basically p!ss!ng against the wind?

I have a bald mate. Does that hair regrowth thing ye advertised a while ago really work?

A Face, I heop you'll ensure that duplicate questions won't be passed on? Stuff seems to be repeating itself at this stage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Poor Student

A Face, I heop you'll ensure that duplicate questions won't be passed on? Stuff seems to be repeating itself at this stage.

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Ah yeah, no worries although i'll have to look through them, sometimes a similar question can ask for different thing, different angles but yeah i'll sort it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A face

Ah yeah, no worries although i'll have to look through them, sometimes a similar question can ask for different thing, different angles but yeah i'll sort it.

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Might be worth grouping stuff like that together. He can give one sweeping answer then.

Yes Noel Mooney can be like Bertie answering six different questions at one time :D

Why was UCD's fixture tonight advertised by the FAI as an 8pm kick off?

Again, does this not fly in the face of what CPOs are trying to acheive when the FAI get such basic, public info wrong?

What do you think of the eircom league being in FIFA 08?

Do you play it yourself?

Could you do anything to reduce/remove the fines for smoke and flares etc.?
Any news on the A-Championship?

Thanks for taking all the questions from fans and best of luck promoting the league.

A issue that crops up an awful lot within LOI circles every now and again is the relationship between junior clubs and LOI, and alot of LOI fans try and quantify what should happen or what they would like to see happen. But another angle on that issue is What do junior clubs want to see happen as regards LOI clubs and their contribution to the relationship.

What is your favourite LOI related book? You can find a few of them here.

The clubs promotions programme, do you know if there is anything similar carried out in leagues across Europe (obviously there is in the bigger leagues, i'd be referring more towards leagues of similar standard and resources etc.) What kind of success have they had?

Lads, i'll be closing this fairly soon. Just compiling the questions now. Any questions to add specifically around the clubs promotions programme or clubs CPO's etc. then add it in now.

CPOs were given a target of (I think) a 35% increase in crowds this year. This hasn't happened. What other measures are used in judging CPOs' performances? Does the FAI have the power to replace them? How successful has it been?

Also, what's the story with regards Longford and Sligo? Have heard these two clubs mentioned as places where the CPO scheme isn't working at all as planned.

Who do you support?

Lads, i'm closing this thread now as i'm sending off the questions now. There is a fair bit there and it covers a lot of topics (probably my fault, i should have made it more specific to Noel and his position and CPO programme) but Noel has said he wil try and cover everything.

I'll post up the answers as soon as i get them. Cheers for you contributions !! :ball: