G6 stay defiant

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23/12/2007, 4:15 PM
Buller

G6 stay defiant

Sunday Independent - December 23 2007

Quote:

The G6 of the eircom League are playing a high-risk strategy by hitching their wagons to Fintan Drury's Platinum-driven chariot for a new All-Ireland League. Drury told FAI CEO John Delaney last week that plans were continuing apace for the League, with support from clubs on both sides of the border, including Linfield, and the intention was to kick off next September.

Unimpressed, Delaney issued a statement declaring a meeting between the FAI and the IFA next month to discuss matters of "mutual interest." The message was clear: if any All-Ireland League is to take off, it has to be a joint FAI/IFA production.

The six rebels; Drogheda United, Cork City, Derry City, St Pat's, Bohemians and Galway United, need to be wary. With the League starting on March 7, the FAI need to know who is inside their tent, and who's not.

If the 'G6' can't commit, they risk expulsion. Also, the FAI won't nominate Drogheda, Cork, St Pat's and Bohs for European club competition.

The 16 clubs outside the loop are watching developments keenly. If the FAI stand firm, Shamrock Rovers could find themselves in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, while Waterford United and Longford Town would be re-instated to the Premier Division.
23/12/2007, 4:22 PM
sligoman

Rovers for Uefa Cup!:D
23/12/2007, 4:37 PM
Aaron

If the FAI dared to do that, football on this island would go to pot!! Interesting times ahead
23/12/2007, 4:46 PM
Poor Student

Quote:

Originally Posted by City till I Die

If the FAI dared to do that, football on this island would go to pot!! Interesting times ahead

The clubs have more to lose than the FAI.
23/12/2007, 4:48 PM
geezer

ya

heard the knives are out for Nick Leeson in the fai, hence the swift threat and invitation from the fai for the top 2 junior sides from Galway into the A League.
With FAI employees being employed as consultants between fai jobs to set up fas schemes for one of the junior clubs involved and rumours of large 10grand consultant fees for the work its all becoming the stuff of tribunals. Nasty undercurrents at play here its rotten to the core
23/12/2007, 4:48 PM
Aaron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Student

The clubs have more to lose than the FAI.

Quite possibly, but football on this island would be hammered. We could possibly go back to the IL, and thats the last thing I'd want!!!
23/12/2007, 5:11 PM
pineapple stu

Any All Ireland breakaway league is surely dependent on Linfield wanting in, which they've publicly said they don't. Surely that knocks it on the head for once and for all?
23/12/2007, 5:23 PM
CollegeTillIDie

There could be a six team breakaway Professional League set up by the Clubs themselves if they stick to their guns. Though why anyone would want to watch a competition with no prospect of European qualification is a mystery to me. After all FAI hold the aces here as they hold the permissions to nominate teams to compete in UEFA Competitions .
23/12/2007, 5:46 PM
pineapple stu

No there couldn't.
23/12/2007, 5:52 PM
Not Brazil

Quote:

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Any All Ireland breakaway league is surely dependent on Linfield wanting in, which they've publicly said they don't. Surely that knocks it on the head for once and for all?

Very interesting article in The Times today about the "breakaway" developments.

I think the online version is subscription only so, if anyone has an online subscription and could post it, it would be good.

It's not just as simple as Linfield not wanting it - they are involved in discussions about it.

You could be sure that if Glentoran took the lead towards an AIL, Linfield would undoubtedly follow.

Interesting also that Linfield's "Spike" Ferguson and Glentoran's Gary Hamilton have been in the local papers waxing lyrical about playing in an AIL.
23/12/2007, 6:07 PM
Poor Student

Quote:

Originally Posted by City till I Die

Quite possibly, but football on this island would be hammered. We could possibly go back to the IL, and thats the last thing I'd want!!!

Irish domestic football is the weaker partner here. The FAI have the ability to expel clubs from the league or deny them European places and if you also add in the participation agreement they have all clubs by the balls. This situation is not in any way comparable to the EPL or SPL breakaways, there is nothing viable about clubs breaking away from FAI and by an extension FIFA recognition.
23/12/2007, 6:13 PM
Philly

Something like this was always inevitable as the League developed into a mix of ambitious full-time clubs and clubs that want to stick with part-time and have no ambition to go full-time. Hard to see how it will work out, although it's a bit of a joke we don't even know whether our league will have those clubs next year at this stage.
23/12/2007, 6:29 PM
GavinZac

were the FAI to expel the professional clubs, they'd be destroying club football on the island and setting themselves back 20 years. that wont happen. the fai will push to put a nice spin on this as if it was their own idea, like the Premiership.
23/12/2007, 6:33 PM
Poor Student

Quote:

Originally Posted by GavinZac

were the FAI to expel the professional clubs, they'd be destroying club football on the island and setting themselves back 20 years. that wont happen. the fai will push to put a nice spin on this as if it was their own idea, like the Premiership.

It's a game of chicken, the clubs have more to lose being expelled than the FAI do in expelling the clubs. Domestic football as it stands and as it has stood for the best part of three or four decades has a low standing, expel the clubs and it'll continue to do so but it'll still plod along. If the clubs were expelled however, they'd be as good as dead.
23/12/2007, 6:41 PM
Mr A

Expel them to feck.
23/12/2007, 6:45 PM
GavinZac

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Student

It's a game of chicken, the clubs have more to lose being expelled than the FAI do in expelling the clubs. Domestic football as it stands and as it has stood for the best part of three or four decades has a low standing, expel the clubs and it'll continue to do so but it'll still plod along. If the clubs were expelled however, they'd be as good as dead.

Would they? Sure, they'd be without european qualification. They'd have to rely entirely on TV and sponsorship, which would hurt financially. However, their existing fan base would not disappear, and the wider public would be astounded at the inability of the FAI to even manage their clubs. The FAI cup and league would lose sponsorship and the remaining part time clubs would either die without the gates from the 'big' clubs, lose a lot of players and quality, or indeed choose to opt-in with the 'splitters'.
23/12/2007, 7:02 PM
Mr A

Don't forget the FAI have a lot of influence on the allocation of grant monies etc as well.

To be totally honest I have little time for G6 or whatever. They voted for the wage cap, now they want out of it because a few have a bit of backing now or are not confident of their ability to sustain professional squads in the medium to long term. Boo Hoo.

The worst possible way an AIL could be formed would be as an exclusive organization for a few clubs to avoid the frankly pretty sensible idea of a wage cap. If history has taught us anything, it's that these silver bullet solutions usually achieve feck all.
23/12/2007, 7:06 PM
Poor Student

Quote:

Originally Posted by GavinZac

Would they? Sure, they'd be without european qualification. They'd have to rely entirely on TV and sponsorship, which would hurt financially. However, their existing fan base would not disappear, and the wider public would be astounded at the inability of the FAI to even manage their clubs. The FAI cup and league would lose sponsorship and the remaining part time clubs would either die without the gates from the 'big' clubs, lose a lot of players and quality, or indeed choose to opt-in with the 'splitters'.

Assuming these expelled rebels attempted to form some sort of league by themselves instead of just dying or going into hibernation like Derry did between IL and LOI, I doubt they'd be able to attract young talent as I doubt they'd be recognised by FIFA and players would not be able to play at U-19/U-21 level. That said, we're at pure fantasy and fiction here. Notably Shamrock Rovers are not part of the group and would remain inside the fold with the likes of other decent sized clubs such as Harps, Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk and Shelbourne. Those six clubs particularly with Shamrock Rovers on the outside are never going to carry enough weight to get everything their own way. LOI football can survive without them but it doesn't work vice versa.
23/12/2007, 7:08 PM
GavinZac

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr A

The worst possible way an AIL could be formed would be as an exclusive organization for a few clubs to avoid the frankly pretty sensible idea of a wage cap. If history has taught us anything, it's that these silver bullet solutions usually achieve feck all.

In most other cases, wage caps have caps themselves; whereby if a club's turnover is for example, in excess of �1million, the rest is freely expendable. This encourages teams to aim for above the relatively safe cut off point, and those which havent been able to achieve this for whatever reason, must then stick to the relatively safe cap of 65%.

As business people, investors like Arkaga know that to grow, you have to lose money at first. this isn't safe for clubs without a high turnover, but if a club already has a relatively safe buffer of income (see our survival through the near bankruptcy of Brian Lennox) it should be allowed to reap the rewards, rather than punished for the inadequacies of others.
23/12/2007, 7:10 PM
GavinZac

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Assuming these expelled rebels attempted to form some sort of league by themselves instead of just dying or going into hibernation like Derry did between IL and LOI, I doubt they'd be able to attract young talent as I doubt they'd be recognised by FIFA and players would not be able to play at U-19/U-21 level. That said, we're at pure fantasy and fiction here. Notably Shamrock Rovers are not part of the group and would remain inside the fold with the likes of other decent sized clubs such as Harps, Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk and Shelbourne. Those six clubs particularly with Shamrock Rovers on the outside are never going to carry enough weight to get everything their own way. LOI football can survive without them but it doesn't work vice versa.

LOI football could survive without them; much as the leinster senior league or the irish league does.
23/12/2007, 7:23 PM
Poor Student

Quote:

Originally Posted by GavinZac

LOI football could survive without them; much as the leinster senior league or the irish league does.

In time they could be replaced, a Cork City fan of all club supporters should know that.;)
23/12/2007, 7:31 PM
GavinZac

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Student

In time they could be replaced, a Cork City fan of all club supporters should know that.;)

City replaced nobody; Avondale simply put forward a LoI squad when no competition in the entire south east existed.

Replacing City while they still exist and are in any form of competition will not be easy. Step up, Cork Ramblers?
23/12/2007, 7:42 PM
Lim till i die

Quote:

Originally Posted by GavinZac

They'd have to rely entirely on TV and sponsorship, which would hurt financially. .

How much TV money and sponsorship do you honestly think the "G6" plus the two Belfast Clubs would attract??

Quote:

the wider public would be astounded at the inability of the FAI to even manage their clubs.

I bet you the wider public won't give a rats ass either way

Quote:

the remaining part time clubs would either die without the gates from the 'big' clubs

Nonsense, there would be more than enough attractive clubs still around

Quote:

lose a lot of players and quality

How does the "G6" breaking away make any difference to what players they sign??

The arrogance of the 6 clubs above is staggering.

You'd swear every one is a Real Madrid-esque behemouth that can't be done without

In reality their power is more akin to "G4", the pop group, as opposed to "G16" the elite European clubs.
23/12/2007, 11:06 PM
paudie

I'd be astonished if this "breakaway" happened. Looks like the G6 (?) are looking to get the FAI to row back on some or all of the wage cap and are using negotiations about an AIL as a stick to beat the FAI with.

Will Drogs kiss goodbye to at least 250K in CL money? And more if they get past the first round as seeds?

Linfield are run by their members. Can they guarantee the members will vote to withdraw from the IL?

No doubt the extra TV coverage announced by the FAI during the week is another shot in the battle.

TBH this is all good press for the EL. Shows our clubs can be as selfish and underhanded as those across the water. Might persuade some barstoolers to take an interest.
24/12/2007, 12:19 AM
pete

I don't see a problem here. The FAI support an AIL but they can't exactly talk to IL clubs behind the back of the IL.

The pro clubs in the eL probably decided to up the ante in discussions as were not willing to wait for 10 years.

I can see the FAI giving unofficial approval to this. If real progess made they will come back into the discussions. There is no power of the FAI to lose as it is not like the creation of the EPL where the FA lost a lot of power.
24/12/2007, 1:46 AM
GavinZac

where did my last post go? :confused:
24/12/2007, 8:53 AM
Steve Bruce

Quote:

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Any All Ireland breakaway league is surely dependent on Linfield wanting in, which they've publicly said they don't. Surely that knocks it on the head for once and for all?

Can I ask why it is dependant on Linfield?
24/12/2007, 9:42 AM
GavinZac

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

Can I ask why it is dependant on Linfield?

To create any hype down here, linfield would have to be involved. Joe public hasn't heard of glentoran or dungannon.
24/12/2007, 10:10 AM
incident

Quote:

Originally Posted by GavinZac

To create any hype down here, linfield would have to be involved. Joe public hasn't heard of glentoran or dungannon.

Joe Public probably hasn't heard of Linfield either..

Obviously getting Linfield involved would be a huge boost to an all-Ireland league, but it's nowhere near being a deal breaker.
24/12/2007, 10:14 AM
MariborKev

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie

There could be a six team breakaway Professional League set up by the Clubs themselves if they stick to their guns. Though why anyone would want to watch a competition with no prospect of European qualification is a mystery to me. After all FAI hold the aces here as they hold the permissions to nominate teams to compete in UEFA Competitions .

Whilst I don't know what the position is at other clubs, I'd be pushing for an EGM at Derry to vote on our participation.

I'd be lobbying strongly against the move.
24/12/2007, 10:23 AM
Aaron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maribor

Whilst I don't know what the position is at other clubs, I'd be pushing for an EGM at Derry to vote on our participation.

I'd be lobbying strongly against the move.

Do you think there's too much to lose if we were to be thrown out of the league and too long to wait for the start of the breakaway league, or do you simply not want an AIL?
24/12/2007, 10:28 AM
pineapple stu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

Can I ask why it is dependant on Linfield?

If Linfield don't join, Glentoran are far more likely not to join, and without either of them, the whole thing is dead as, with respect to the other clubs, Jim Roddy is not fishing about for big games against Dungannon or Newry.

It's not entirely dependent on Linfield - I'd be saying the same if Glentoran had already come out against it - but it's just that Linfield have already set out their position publicly.

Edit - interesting to note that the clubs plan to kick off their new season next September, going back on summer soccer. Wonder whose idea that was?
24/12/2007, 10:32 AM
Aaron

Quote:

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

If Linfield don't join, Glentoran are far more likely not to join, and without either of them, the whole thing is dead as, with respect to the other clubs, Jim Roddy is not fishing about for big games against Dungannon or Newry.

It's not entirely dependent on Linfield - I'd be saying the same if Glentoran had already come out against it - but it's just that Linfield have already set out their position publicly.

Have you a link to Linfield turning down the talks of an AIL?
24/12/2007, 10:33 AM
pineapple stu

It was mentioned here a week or so back I thought; I'll have a look see.

Edit - this is the link I had in mind; originally posted here by Maribor.
24/12/2007, 1:29 PM
Mr_Parker

Quote:

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

It's not entirely dependent on Linfield - I'd be saying the same if Glentoran had already come out against it - but it's just that Linfield have already set out their position publicly.

Linfield have not come out against the idea, only based their (their chairmans) response on what was/is on offer.
24/12/2007, 1:34 PM
Mr_Parker

Quote:

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

If Linfield don't join, Glentoran are far more likely not to join, and without either of them, the whole thing is dead as, with respect to the other clubs, Jim Roddy is not fishing about for big games against Dungannon or Newry.

Newry are one of the clubs strongly pushing this agenda.
24/12/2007, 5:28 PM
half_full

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

The arrogance of the 6 clubs above is staggering.

You'd swear every one is a Real Madrid-esque behemouth that can't be done without

In reality their power is more akin to "G4", the pop group, as opposed to "G16" the elite European clubs.

I agree completley.

G6:rolleyes::D
24/12/2007, 7:50 PM
Dodge

Two words lads; Sunday Indo

The fecking Beano has more credibility at this stage. Surprised the didn't try and make out the league was going to be called the Katy French memorial league given their other obsession
24/12/2007, 8:59 PM
khoop

A self-proclaimed G6 of southern Irish football clubs - without Shamrock Rovers???

Oh how we laughed.

Keep on dreaming, losers.

In a couple of years when Bohs are STILL in a delapidated Dalymount - Drogheda playing in an empty field in the middle of nowhere - and St. Pats still wondering what the property speculators have planned for Inchicore - Rovers will be wiping the floor with you.
24/12/2007, 9:29 PM
Aaron

Quote:

Originally Posted by khoop

A self-proclaimed G6 of southern Irish football clubs - without Shamrock Rovers???

Oh how we laughed.

Keep on dreaming, losers.

In a couple of years when Bohs are STILL in a delapidated Dalymount - Drogheda playing in an empty field in the middle of nowhere - and St. Pats still wondering what the property speculators have planned for Inchicore - Rovers will be wiping the floor with you.

Aye and my auntie will have balls!!!:rolleyes:

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