Evan Ferguson F Roma (loan from Brighton) b.2004

[SkStu]

It’s not. And I don’t think it would be used that way anyway. Given how Bohs is being run now, I think there’d be an increase to the playing budget but not in a way that chases the CL dream anyway. Look at how the Doherty money was used (was it about €1.8M?) and redirected into facilities and infrastructure instead of an automatic move to pro or a significant increase to the playing budget. I think there would be a similar philosophy behind any future Ferguson money, just a different proportion.

I think most fans see the bigger picture on this stuff but you can’t help but be a bit jealous when it’s your close competitors or rivals. Well wishing is definitely a step too far.

[Eirambler]

Just for what it's worth, if Ferguson was sold by Brighton for £120 million (which at this point seems entirely plausible), and if Bohemians have a 15% sell on clause as has been suggested, that's actually £18 million for Bohs. Which is €21 million.

I don't support a League of Ireland team, but I think it would be absolutely fascinating as a neutral to see how that would play out.

[Diggs246]

Just for what it's worth, if Ferguson was sold by Brighton for £120 million (which at this point seems entirely plausible), and if Bohemians have a 15% sell on clause as has been suggested, that's actually £18 million for Bohs. Which is €21 million.

I don't support a League of Ireland team, but I think it would be absolutely fascinating as a neutral to see how that would play out.

Weren't Rovers getting something hysterical off man city every time Bazunu got an international cap?

[Eirambler]

Weren't Rovers getting something hysterical off man city every time Bazunu got an international cap?

50k a cap for the first 10 caps I think. Pocket money compared to this.

[mark12345]

In basically a 10 minute spell at the weekend, hit the post with a great individual effort and then read the play beautifully to score a poacher's goal. As an 18 year old, he will be played sparingly, but is the real deal!

Agreed. Very good return last Saturday for so few minutes. And the goal he scored was essentially worth 2 to him, one beside his name and one less beside Adringas name. Adringa had a basic tap in if Evan didn't get there. But Ferguson has to keep up his goalscoring rate. Competition among strikers as DeZerbi said is intense. After last Saturday Wellbeck is in the dog house but it can and will be Ferguson on any given week

[SkStu]

Just for what it's worth, if Ferguson was sold by Brighton for £120 million (which at this point seems entirely plausible), and if Bohemians have a 15% sell on clause as has been suggested, that's actually £18 million for Bohs. Which is €21 million.

I don't support a League of Ireland team, but I think it would be absolutely fascinating as a neutral to see how that would play out.

I’m 99% certain it’s 10% sell-on. So at £100-£120m it would be about €11.5-£14m. Not chump change.

[ontheotherhand]

50k a cap for the first 10 caps I think. Pocket money compared to this.

More like 100k. Only for the first 10 caps though. Nothing compared to what bohs could make.

[ontheotherhand]

It’s not. And I don’t think it would be used that way anyway. Given how Bohs is being run now, I think there’d be an increase to the playing budget but not in a way that chases the CL dream anyway. Look at how the Doherty money was used (was it about €1.8M?) and redirected into facilities and infrastructure instead of an automatic move to pro or a significant increase to the playing budget. I think there would be a similar philosophy behind any future Ferguson money, just a different proportion.

I think most fans see the bigger picture on this stuff but you can’t help but be a bit jealous when it’s your close competitors or rivals. Well wishing is definitely a step too far.

What was the Doherty money used for Stu? Did you put it into the DCU training ground?

I could see you raising the playing budget in terms of tying down players like McManus and Afolabi, offering longer terms deals and higher wages etc but yeah I'd guess bohs would put most back into other areas. Either way it should get you a few leagues depending on how much Derry and Shels decide to spend. Anything you get from Ferguson is still chump change compared to what their owners might spend.

[Razors left peg]

Do you really think bohs could get into the champions league group stages with a windfall of 10m? Jesus you're making it sound even worse now. Hope Ferguson quits the game.

We've had clubs in group stages of Europa League so yes we do eventually want our clubs to make group stages of Champions League and that'll only happen if money generated from transfers gets filtered back in. Government money isn't going to do it

[ontheotherhand]

We've had clubs in group stages of Europa League so yes we do eventually want our clubs to make group stages of Champions League and that'll only happen if money generated from transfers gets filtered back in. Government money isn't going to do it

Of course we want that, generally speaking. Just not for bohs. Fair play to you and the neutrals who just want what's best for the league.

On transfer fees I'll be happier when we start getting paid a players full value on a regular basis and stop losing players for free. Freaks like Bazunu and Ferguson aren't something to plan long term league growth around for me. Selling a few players for 500k+ every season is more realistic. Both would be lovely.

That said bohs did do well for getting him on a pro deal with the clause in there and we all need to make sure that is the norm. I won't take my hat off to them but I'll slightly touch it in their general direction.

[Razors left peg]

Of course we want that, generally speaking. Just not for bohs. Fair play to you and the neutrals who just want what's best for the league.

On transfer fees I'll be happier when we start getting paid a players full value on a regular basis and stop losing players for free. Freaks like Bazunu and Ferguson aren't something to plan long term league growth around for me. Selling a few players for 500k+ every season is more realistic. Both would be lovely.

That said bohs did do well for getting him on a pro deal with the clause in there and we all need to make sure that is the norm. I won't take my hat off to them but I'll slightly touch it in their general direction.

"Neutrals" wanting whats best for the league is the only thing that will help the league grow. The problem is that there are too many people in charge of clubs who have a narrow view about whats best for their small corner of the world. Football rivalries are great, I love that you have such a passion for your club and I wish there was much more of that in the country... but we'll never get it to that point with attitudes being like that to start with.

I agree we need to get to the point where we need to be regularly selling players for decent fees. That will happen when theres better players in the league though, and to get those better players investment needs to happen in structures and then having players on longer contracts. Then these players need to perform in Europe to get a higher profile and have teams wanting to sign them. This season has been awful for our teams in europe and we seem further away than ever in terms of competing. When clubs do make money it needs to be filtered back into the club in the right way. What do Dundalk have to show for the money they made from Europe under Kenny? It seems like it was all p1ssed away, that sort of amateurish crap needs to stop.

Anyway, this is a discussion that could continue to go around in circles. Im genuinely surprised that there are Ireland fans that would rather Evan Ferguson didnt make it as a top player in order to stop their local rivals getting money, but maybe its my distance from it that causes my surprise. I was in Terryland in a pram before I could walk. Travelled to every away game with my dad from a young age. Season ticket holder forever and I have family still involved there, and yet if Athlone Town or Sligo ever had an Evan Ferguson situation it would never cross my mind to hope it didnt happen.

[Eirambler]

It's the old I'd rather Bohs/Pat's/Rovers/whoever win a corner than Ireland win the World Cup mentality. I think it contributes to the level of continued support for Stephen Kenny from some quarters - people still singing songs about him at games etc. These people don't care about the national team anywhere near as much as they do their club team, so they're not actually that bothered whether we're winning games or not.

[ontheotherhand]

It's the old I'd rather Bohs/Pat's/Rovers/whoever win a corner than Ireland win the World Cup mentality. I think it contributes to the level of continued support for Stephen Kenny from some quarters - people still singing songs about him at games etc. These people don't care about the national team anywhere near as much as they do their club team, so they're not actually that bothered whether we're winning games or not.

You genuinely think there are LoI supporters who don't care about the national team forking out for those tickets just to sing for Stephen Kenny? I'd love to meet some of these people.

I'll be delighted if Evan has a phenomenal career. Ideally at Brighton.

Anyway, To Razor, my point was more that it shouldn't surprise people that there are mixed feelings about Evan getting a big move. I'd be delighted if it was Galway getting the money!

[Eirambler]

You genuinely think there are LoI supporters who don't care about the national team forking out for those tickets just to sing for Stephen Kenny? I'd love to meet some of these people.

I'll be delighted if Evan has a phenomenal career. Ideally at Brighton.

Anyway, To Razor, my point was more that it shouldn't surprise people that there are mixed feelings about Evan getting a big move. I'd be delighted if it was Galway getting the money!

Like I said, they care, just they care a lot less than they care about their club team.

[Jolly Red Giant]

What was the Doherty money used for Stu? Did you put it into the DCU training ground?

I could see you raising the playing budget in terms of tying down players like McManus and Afolabi, offering longer terms deals and higher wages etc but yeah I'd guess bohs would put most back into other areas. Either way it should get you a few leagues depending on how much Derry and Shels decide to spend. Anything you get from Ferguson is still chump change compared to what their owners might spend.

I would assume that the priority for Bohs at this stage is to increase the capacity at Dalymount Park - increased capacity would mean bigger crowds, more revenue across several revenue streams etc.

We've had clubs in group stages of Europa League so yes we do eventually want our clubs to make group stages of Champions League and that'll only happen if money generated from transfers gets filtered back in. Government money isn't going to do it

Transfer fees are helpful - but more people through the turnstile is the most sustain able way of pushing a club forward.

[ontheotherhand]

I would assume that the priority for Bohs at this stage is to increase the capacity at Dalymount Park - increased capacity would mean bigger crowds, more revenue across several revenue streams etc.


Transfer fees are helpful - but more people through the turnstile is the most sustain able way of pushing a club forward.

Yes but they are getting money from DCC/the government for that so the Ferguson money, if/when it arrives can go elsewhere. Unfortunately it looks like it's going to be capped at 8000 so it's not a huge increase. More of a rebuild than an expansion.

I suppose they might use some of the money to build more Mono stands if it arrived in the short term.

Maybe Stu or someone else can correct me/advise us there.

[Jolly Red Giant]

I'll be delighted if Evan has a phenomenal career. Ideally at Brighton.

Brighton operate on the basis of setting a fee they will accept for a player and then selling the player when the bid hits that limit. The limit for Caicedo was £100m - which is why they rejected bids from Chelsea of £80m. Liverpool came in at the last minute and put up the price to Brighton's benefit. Ferguson has a five year contract at Brighton and the only prospect of him staying there after that is if they are consistently top six for 3/4 seasons - which I don't think will happen. I suspect that they have probably put a number of £100m on Ferguson and if a club was to come in next summer - or more likely the summer after - and offer their set fee they could very well accept it. While all the club owners in the PL have a lot of money - Bloom is towards the bottom of that rich list and they need to sell for big money to be able to keep the club sustainable in the PL (they will need to spend £80m-£100m a year on transfers just to stand still - they have spent about £70m this season so far on three players along with getting Milner and Dahoud as FAs - they have taken in £170m but that is unusual in part because they have fleeced Chelsea for about £250m in the last two seasons).

[Jolly Red Giant]

Yes but they are getting money from DCC/the government for that so the Ferguson money, if/when it arrives can go elsewhere. Unfortunately it looks like it's going to be capped at 8000 so it's not a huge increase. More of a rebuild than an expansion.

That has been a long time in the works and still no sign of it.

And - there have been different capacities mentioned over the past number of years - 6,000 - 8,000 - 10,000 - 11,000 - 12,000 - and the club really should push for maximising the capacity.

Dublin - given its population - can sustain four big clubs (Rovers, Bohs, Pats and Shels) and they should target combined attendances of at least 40,000 between them - which would be about half or even less what clubs in England would generate. Cork City should be getting a similar number - Dundalk & Drogheda 5,000 - Limerick 7,000 - Derry should get 10,000 but the sectarian divide would drop that to about 7,000 - Sligo is the only PD team that is actually hitting where they should be. Most of the first division teams should be hitting double what they get.

Now - I get it that there is other sporting competition - but I have taken that into account and they are way below the numbers attending games 60 years ago - it is sheer incompetence from the FAI and the LOI over not just years but decades that has seen the attendances far below where they should be.

[tetsujin1979]

7,000 at a Treaty United game would be unlikely.
When you think Munster can get 25,000 into Thomond park, with fans coming from the six counties of the province, 7,000 is slightly more than a third of that, and from only one county.

[ontheotherhand]

That has been a long time in the works and still no sign of it.

And - there have been different capacities mentioned over the past number of years - 6,000 - 8,000 - 10,000 - 11,000 - 12,000 - and the club really should push for maximising the capacity.

Dublin - given its population - can sustain four big clubs (Rovers, Bohs, Pats and Shels) and they should target combined attendances of at least 40,000 between them - which would be about half or even less what clubs in England would generate. Cork City should be getting a similar number - Dundalk & Drogheda 5,000 - Limerick 7,000 - Derry should get 10,000 but the sectarian divide would drop that to about 7,000 - Sligo is the only PD team that is actually hitting where they should be. Most of the first division teams should be hitting double what they get.

Now - I get it that there is other sporting competition - but I have taken that into account and they are way below the numbers attending games 60 years ago - it is sheer incompetence from the FAI and the LOI over not just years but decades that has seen the attendances far below where they should be.

Grand so.

Crowds are on the up for the past few seasons. Just need more people to get up off their couches and go.