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The problem with a winter break is that you don't know when the bad weather is going to be. In Germany & holland they have a better idea when the real cold weather is most years.
January is usually the worst month for weather but this year the last fortnight have been shocking. So you could have a winter break and still have 2 weeks where fixtures aren't possible.
By the same token in our current setup you could easily have two weeks in September, October, November or March where fixtures aren't possible.
So you think the LOI loving Irish media wouldn't make a big deal of the league switching seasons around for the second time in ten years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lim till i die
If there was clear evidence of the benefits of a switch to winter soccer I could be convinced but I haven't seen it yet.
Of course. But over 5 or ten years I think you'd expect more games to be postponed if they were scheduled for December to February than Sept/Oct/Nov/MarchQuote:
Originally Posted by Lim till i die
Unless martians bring down the mothership in Lissywoolen I don't think the meeja will make a big deal of the league full stop to be honest.Quote:
Originally Posted by paudie
Not if you had a five or six week break in December/January.Quote:
Originally Posted by paudie
"United's next game will be against the Toffees at Goodison Park, so let's hope they can pick up all three points. And finally, in the Eircom League, an alien mothership has landed at Lissy... Liss... Over to George for the rugby!"Quote:
Originally Posted by Lim till i die
Sure why don't we just play games every second month, keep everyone happy.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Lim till i die
LTID, there should be some burden of evidence to convince people of the reason for a switch back. I've yet to see/read/here it. The vast majority of people who go to games that I know prefer summer football. The people that I know that only take in the odd game are more likely to take them during the summer(their words, not mine). Anecdotal yes, but if there is not an overwhelming case for moving it to winter it shoudl stay where it it.
It's not like there was any evidence to make the change 8 years ago in fairness. Was just a whim then, if it moves will be a whim now...Quote:
Originally Posted by MariborKev
All the more reason for them to research this potential change fully.
That would be stupid unlike a winter break which would make sense............Quote:
Originally Posted by MariborKev
I'm not advocating winter here at all. I've a fair idea that Limerick voted for Winter and I can see their reasoning but personally I'm one of the four people who voted "Meh". I just genuinely don't think for the reasons I've clearly stated that's it's that big a deal either way and I can't for the life of me understand the hysterics.Quote:
LTID, there should be some burden of evidence to convince people of the reason for a switch back.
I'm still waiting for anyone at all to give me three good reasons why a March to November season is significantly better than an August to May one with a four to six week gap in the middle??
Just to clarify once again, I don't care either way and can't for the life of me understand the big deal. "European progress" and "De Wedder" are nonsense reasons for some of the extreme reaction in my honest opinion.
Most people's opposition to a winter season stems from the fact that:
1. We currently have a summer season and no good reason, not one at all has been given for a return to winter soccer. Summer soccer is not a panacea for all of the LOI's ills but neither Is winter soccer.
2. We have bigger problems than the season being changed back. And these are the reasons of the LOI's malaise. Layout of the playing calendar and too many games against the same teams being the bigger ones imo.
As has been said before most of us here will still go to games no matter what. But why should that make it acceptable to change it.
I don't see the timing of the league as much of an issue for the 22 LoI clubs.
Playing teams 4 times a season is what I'd see as the big issue. A 16 team Premier looks far more attractive. All the top 6 from Division One this year would not be out of place in the Premier. Shel's, Limerick and Cork, all who missed out on the play-offs will hold their own in the Premier. It will spread top flight football to all parts of the country.
For the moment there doesn't seem to be any way of avoiding 4 series of games in Division One. Division One clubs though, especially the existing clubs in the division, will be better off in a national league of 8 below a top 16 than in the two groups of 8 below a top 12 with a split.
One reason I will put forward for a return to winter football is to have it on the same season as the Intermediate and Junior leagues. It'll be the best way to attract potential new clubs at the end of their own season in May, to go up a level the following season in August/September. If for any reason it doesn't work out, they could leave the A Championship in April/May and be back playing in the environs of an Intermediate/Junior league a few months later.
I jumped in on this one late. Im not going to have a hysterical reaction but my reasons for supporting summer soccer:
1. Why change? Honestly, why? Which clubs voted for the change and what were their reasons? Sell more soups at half time?
2. What are we going to do between the end of the Nov 2011 and Aug 2012?
3. Travelling conditions.
4. Playing conditions better in summer.
5. Spectator conditions, its a big enough difference summer and winter.
6. Most games are still played under flood lights anyway.
7. The teams reach their peak at the right time for the European competitions.
8. Less competition for headlines/spectators/etc during the summer when the Prem League is on a break.
Now, I agree many of them are not very major reasons. Anyway it is easy to reel off 8 reasons for summer football without even thinking. I have only stumbled across 1 or 2 reasons for winter football in two threads.
More IL games called off tonight. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/9283628.stm
I doubt many will get played this weekend either.
I'd think we'd be mad to switch back to winter football.
GAA club Provincial games being called off around the country as well. The league finished at a good time of year.
Dundalk FC are for staying with summer soccer as per an interview with our CPO in today's Dundalk Democrat. Also, the club voted for an expansion of the PD to 12 teams but will vote against any plans to introduce a split at tonight's meeting in Abbotstown.
Woooooooo... go Dundalk! I wholeheartedly support this endeavour.
We're also pro summer soccer, I know.
So PRO:
Dundalk
Monaghan
Dublin clubs
Cork
Derry
Split the league down the middle, ye can have Cork and Derry (the freak counties)
Bish, bash, bosh, job done. Where do I collect my expenses??
John has them. They're at reception. Tell them Jesus sent ya.