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Its in the mirror
Can someone post up the Examiner piece for us Nordie who can't buy it ;)
i'll scan it tonight and throw it up tomorrow if no-one does before me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maribor
basically it's your piece with quotes from eric who looks after CCFC's allocation, comes down on our side IMO.
To keep the ball rolling on this may I suggest that whoever can ring or text into the radio station they listen to (particularly if it has a sports show) and make our position known to them. Newstalk 106 have a 3 hour "Off the Ball" Sports show tonight and every weeknight from 7-10. They do alot of soccer stuff and may well be interested. Their text number is 086-6000106 or email@newstalk106.ie (I think...they give the details out all the time anyway)
If we just wait for the papers to do us any favours we'll be doing alot of waiting. FAI won't be afraid of a few colum inches that come and go, but if there's sustained discussion on it we could shake things up a bit. I imagine there's quite alot of regular Irish fans who might be interested to hear about this...
For the Ireland V Portugal game the Cork City payment was late and we were moved to the South Terrace. If Im correct, we were given hassle and told that we must buy the tickets as we were block bookers. Eventually everything was sorted out (we even bought tickets that wernt going to be sold, ya?) and we were moved to the South tce, but where did they magically find South Tce tickets from? Were there not block bookers here? If so, then they did not take up their tickets and one would assume left the block booking arrangement, so why cant we be given these tickets?
I also find it strange that for WC games against Cyprus and the Faroes we (the eL section) were not sat in the 'Away' section left vacant by the away teams (in the corner of the North Tce, by the East Stand), but in the middle of the Irish support. This would sugggest to me that the FAI allocated the returned tickets to another group/individuals and that we were already marked down for 'home' tickets.
:confused: :confused: :confused:
Im confused, angry and disapointed, but not surprised :(
Tiktok
The club reps are taking a unified position on this and I would ask fans involved in the scheme to hold off emailing the FAI and let the reps handle it for the minute. United we stand on this one and speaking with one voice gives us credibility.
Offtheball got the press release so they may feature but people should ring and raise it with them ditto Des Cahill, Big Red Bench- any sports talk show you know of
fair enough, makes sense I guess, I'll delete the post aboveQuote:
Originally Posted by Maribor
The FAI cannot be let get away with spinning the "there just aren't enough tickets..." excuse. People who don't know the facts will believe that line.
Needs to be a lot of focus on the difference between last & current campaigns. I don't anyone would be complaining if the FAI had kept the same arrangement in place as last campaign as we'd all have known the situation in advance.
I'm not too put out as will have ticket for myself but i see this as trust issue that FAI can just choose to shaft a small section of the blcok booker scheme!
One Question i'm sure the FAI will not be able to answer:
- Why were supporter groups FORCED to purchase tickets for the recent friendlies?
Here's a question - did anybody give up a regular block booking (or ticket source) so they could take the eL allocation when they became a "block booking"?
I know of people who would have liked to join the eL section (or did swaps to do so) but didn't want to give up a guaranteed source.
At least one person in my allocation did that
truly a disgrace and once again ,The powers that be show utter contempt for the hardcore support .Would support any action that is decided upon .
Would be very interested how many extra tickets Guinness and other sponsers have suddenly found available for their latest pub/premium line promotions
I will be on Newstalk106 around half nine to outline the position of the clubs reps on this one
Well done Maribor, I caught a bit of it, was listening to 106 on the net, but my connection was playing up so i missed bits here and there. I'd say that was a good move.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maribor
Kevin McDaid of the supporters grouping was just interviewed on Newstalk106 and came across very well. Says they are willing to meet the FAI to see if this can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction
Well done Maribor,
You came across very well. The more good publicity got on this case the better. Also I think it is good not to antagonise the FAI yet.
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by cullenswood
I couldnt get to a radio and newstalk doesnt stream to macs but I did send them an email to ger@newstalk.ie who is their sports ed. Not sure if it was read out, but I let them know whats happening too.
Well done Maribor but it remains to be seen if anything has changed :(
Made the Star today, with a note of support from Pat dolan in his column
nice one. fair play to himQuote:
Originally Posted by tiktok
All Supporters Clubs should highlight this to their own club as well. I know the North terrace tickets are seperate to the football clubs allocation but surely the clubs can speak up for us in Merrion Square. We are the ones keeping our own clubs alive each week by going to matches NOT the FAI. Some of our members have paid for these north terrace tickets in the past when they could not make the game just to keep their tickets for the qualifiers. Typical of FAI to make us buy 2 lots the last time. They have €14,000 euro of north terrace tickets paid already for the Italy game. How much interest will they have made on those 700 tickets @ €20 each for six months until the Italy game ?
Too right! I think that we should be getting our Club reps to help fight our cause on this one. They have meetings fairly regularly so it should be on the order of business at some stage soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bray Head
Yes it has to be organised..Quote:
Originally Posted by Troy.McClure
If we don't this will fall to bits, and we won't solve anything..
The elected club reps can voice all our concerns and issues for us rather that everyone going to the FAI and trying to fight their cause....
Who are the NLSA mentioned in the newspapers today?
:confused:
Press Release of NLSA 6th May 2005
The National League Supporters Associations welcomes moves made by the FAI to enter constructive dialogue regarding the dramatic cut in tickets for its members for the upcoming game against Israel.
The NLSA is comprised of fans of eircom League clubs throughout the country and due to work commitments and the dispersed location of the many members, the group proposed rescheduling the initial talks. The NLSA offered the FAI an alternative time and venue in order to accommodate both parties.
Unfortunately the FAI had other commitments on these dates but the group is in ongoing consultation with the FAI. The NLSA hopes to sit down with the FAI at the earliest opportunity in order to discuss these matters.
Friday, being a work day and also when the majority of eircom League games take place was not an option for the fans.
However, as stakeholders in Irish Football we are and always have been willing to meet with the FAI to discuss a resolution to the satisfaction of all.
Furthermore, the NLSA would like to counter suggestions in the media attributed to FAI sources that it was always the understanding that the ticket allocations were based on whether there were spare seats in the away section.
On 30th August 2004 an email from a senior FAI official circulated to all the individual supporters groups states - "These tickets would then be issued on a block booking and would be available for all future matches including the French and Swiss matches" The Association believes that this constitutes a guarantee from the FAI as regards ticketing for future games.
We would also like to refer to an FAI Press Release of 3rd June 2003 which states - "the FAI will generate greater contact between eircom League fans and the FAI
Establish a ‘fans forum’ to actively involve the fans in the Association’s plans for supporters and to air their views on an ongoing basis
Seek to develop the fans’ club to maximise all the areas of support for all our international teams
Commit to examining ticket allocation to increase availability for fans who support football at home including
Allocate certain locations in the ground for eircom League fans
Work with the fans to create a fans’ band
Work with interested sponsors to support fans’ participation on match days
Aim to create a better experience for everyone involved on match days."
The NLSA believes that their members have fulfilled their obligations as block-bookers over the past two years by taking tickets for all games and now call on the FAI to meet their commitments.
It's just the name currently adopted by the group liaising with the FAI/media over this issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
The plan moving forwards - once the ticketing issue is resolved - is to come-up with detailed proposals for the structure and aims of a formal fans body, that can then be opened-up to broad discussion amongst anyone who's interested in the concept.
The idea is to create an organisation and aims that we can all sign up to. Everyone involved in supporting National League teams will therefore effectively be the NLSA.
It is my understanding that in the early days of Block Booking, the EL clubs were offered as many Block Bookings as they wished to take up. Most took up very few as they were not prepared to commit to their members/ supporters buying the tickets. I also understand that most of the EL clubs have never applied to have their BB allocation increased.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bray Head
I am not aware of any EL club who actively canvassed their fans for an expression of interest or commitment from their supporters to take up Block Bookings for Ireland games, maybe some did. I do not remember my own club, Bray, doing so, but I may be wrong. I did not pursue this through the club as I have been on the FAI BB scheme since it started in 1989.
If this is correct, I cannot see how the clubs can expect to have any influence in this current matter. I am not trying to 'diss' the efforts of the those involved in this current mess, but I believe the clubs are more to blame than than the FAI in the first place.
The name of this official?Quote:
Originally Posted by soccerc
Thought so. Better to have a name than just saying a group of supporters.Quote:
Originally Posted by dcfcsteve
Good prominent article in the Sunday Business Post today (page 3 i think) with colour picture of irish fans in Paris & lots of NLSA quotes & if i'd been reading as a neutral would be siding with the supporters.
It made the News section of the Sunday Tribune (which amazed me), didn't really come down on either side tbh. That's five days in a row it's made some aspect of the media, it'll be tricky to keep it going though
Important distinction Superhoops, the international ticket scheme was in association with supporters groups, and had nothing to do with the clubs themselves.Quote:
Originally Posted by Superhoops
So the issue is between the fans groups (represented by the NLSA) and the FAI only.
the article from www.sbpost.ieQuote:
Originally Posted by pete
Row erupts over World Cup qualifier tickets
08 May 2005 By Maxim Kelly
A row has erupted between eircom League fans and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) over tickets for the upcoming World Cup qualifier matches at Lansdowne Road. The fans have claimed that the FAI reneged on a promise to block book tickets for the home internationals, despite the fact that they have spent €150,000 on tickets over the past year.
They learned last week that the FAI was cutting their seating allocation by 70 per cent for the qualifier against Israel in June, as the Israeli FA has requested its full seating allocation.
“We had an agreement with former FAI chief Fran Rooney in 2003 to block book tickets for home internationals,” said Kevin McDaid of the National League Supporters Association (NLSA).
“The FAI wanted to ensure there would be decent support at friendlies and low-profile games. In return for attending these matches, we would be guaranteed our allocation for the big games.”
FAI officials said that there was no evidence of such an agreement and their understanding is that the ticket allocation depended on spare seats being available in the away section.
“We are working with league supporters regarding difficulties with their allocation and we're working with the Israeli FA to see if they will take all their seats,” said a spokesman for the FAI.
The fans disputed this, pointing to comments made by a senior FAI official in a memo e-mailed last year to supporters' groups.
In the e-mail, the FAI said it wanted to seat the fans in several locations around Lansdowne Road.
“These tickets would then be issued on a block booking and would be available for all future matches, including the French and Swiss matches,” stated the e-mail.
The supporters believe this constitutes a guarantee from the FAI about tickets for future games.
“This was more than a gentleman's agreement made last year and, on several occasions since, various individual fans and fans' representatives were in contact with the FAI to confirm this,” said McDaid.
A meeting between the two parties was cancelled last week. Another meeting is scheduled for today.
The alleged arrangement agreed between the fans and Rooney in 2003 came at a time when the FAI was concerned about the atmosphere at home friendly matches.
At the time, Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr publicly welcomed the arrival of the Eircom League fans.
The supporters have bought 750 tickets for every international game since then, in the belief that a failure to take their seats would lead to the overall allocation being cut in future.
The arrangement has benefited the FAI as it has secured a steady income stream for what are usually ill-attended matches such as those against Canada and China.
“The members of this block booking scheme are the lifeblood of Irish football.
“They are seen week in, week out, supporting the local game at stadia across the country,” said McDaid.
“Yet when the FAI needs to find a few extra tickets, we're the ones who have to suffer. Our support for Irish football over the years now seems to count for nothing.”
The Supporters of eircom League clubs who last week received letters from the FAI telling them that their allocation of tickets to Republic of Ireland international games have had them all re-instated following discussions with FAI CEO John Delaney.
In a joint statement the Fai and NLSA (fans grouping) said "The Football Association of Ireland and the National League Supporters Association had a very positive and constructive meeting last night at which a range of issues was discussed including assurances in relation to ticket allocations for International matches.
A Joint Working Group was established which is expected to meet at least four times a year to benefit the game on a domestic and international level.
FAI Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney, said “We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the National League Supporters Association at our International matches and we look forward to building on our relationship with them for the future of the game at national and international level.”
James O’Toole, Chairman of the National League Supporters Association, said “ We are very pleased with the outcome of our meeting last night and we look forward to working in partnership with the FAI not only in our own interest but also in the interest of the game at all levels.”
congrats to all involved
500 tickets appear!
:eek:
Quote:
Originally Posted by soccerc
So the people won ..... Power to the People !! :)
Well done to all involved!
Well done lads. Excellent news, power to the people :cool: . From small acorns grow?...500 tickets apparently!
[SIZE=3]No, not 500 tickets, but all 750[/SIZE]Quote:
Originally Posted by Maynard
:D :D :D
Happy days, glad it worked. Well done to all involved, Kevin etc.
Def. Fair dues to all.