Premier Division

**nr637** · 23/01/2025, 10:40 AM

Will this be the first time in the history of the Premier Division format that all the clubs will be operating on a Full-Time basis?

What does this really mean, that each team will have a panel of mostly full-time players?

How many of the management staff will be full-time, Team Manager, Assistant Manager, Strength & Fitness Coach, Sports Therapist, Kit & Equipment personnel............?

While in the First Division I reckon most clubs will operate on a part-time/amateur basis, but some clubs e.g. Dundalk & Cobh Ramblers will have a good number of players signed on a full-time capacity through the recent investments into the clubs!

Anyone with their advice or suggestions!

**2 Year Contract** · 23/01/2025, 10:44 AM

Yeah it�s the first time ever. This article in the mirror states that every single player in the premier division is on a full time contract this year: https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soc...r-34429526.amp

Every manager in the premier is full time too. As regards the other staff, S&C coaches etc, that�ll vary on a club by club basis. I know Pats have assistant managers, coaches, S&C, physios etc all full time and I�d imagine a lot of clubs are the same as they�d be needed at training during the day

**nigel-harps1954** · 23/01/2025, 4:08 PM

Pretty sure everyone was full time in 2008.

**pineapple stu** · 23/01/2025, 4:14 PM

Not with UCD in it...

**Knocklyonhoop** · 23/01/2025, 5:15 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Not with UCD in it...

Full time students don�t count?

**yurt** · 23/01/2025, 5:19 PM

It's one of the major benefits of having a 10 team league. Drogheda managed it last season but you'd have to imagine going forward that it'll be a huge task for any part time club to survive in the PD.

You'd hope that unlike 2008 this is just the beginning rather than the end of something.

Interesting question regarding how many full time staff are at every club. I know the FAI release a report annually showing the grim statistics of how few underage coaches are employed across the country. Would be interested to see what kind of jump there will be in 2024 vs 2025. You'd think the solidarity money been spread against the PD clubs only would mean there's a budget there to employ a few extra staff.

**Another Bohemia** · 23/01/2025, 8:08 PM

Originally Posted by Knocklyonhoop

Full time students don�t count?

Their bebos said they were full time mad *******s so not full time footballers

**John83** · 23/01/2025, 9:30 PM

Bebo was dead by 08. I remember.

**LTFC** · 23/01/2025, 9:37 PM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

Yeah it�s the first time ever. This article in the mirror states that every single player in the premier division is on a full time contract this year: https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soc...r-34429526.amp

Every manager in the premier is full time too. As regards the other staff, S&C coaches etc, that�ll vary on a club by club basis. I know Pats have assistant managers, coaches, S&C, physios etc all full time and I�d imagine a lot of clubs are the same as they�d be needed at training during the day

Thats an interesting piece. Probably fair to say then that that smallest wages budget for first team and staff is about 1.3m? ( 30 people on 40k ). So does that mean its 2m min to run a premier div club?
I dont think all 10 clubs are capable of raising that each year.

**John83** · 23/01/2025, 10:13 PM

Minimum wage is �13.50 (less if you're under 20), so in theory �28k could count as full time. A lot of the younger lads are probably living at home, and hanging on to the hopes of making a living from the game, so that kind of money could be acceptable for them. Even so, I can't imagine they're all turning over that kind of money in gate receipts (less matchday expenses) and sponsorships. Last time we were close to all full time in the Premier, we had quite a lot of clubs living beyond their means.

**LTFC** · 23/01/2025, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by John83

Minimum wage is �13.50 (less if you're under 20), so in theory �28k could count as full time. A lot of the younger lads are probably living at home, and hanging on to the hopes of making a living from the game, so that kind of money could be acceptable for them. Even so, I can't imagine they're all turning over that kind of money in gate receipts (less matchday expenses) and sponsorships. Last time we were close to all full time in the Premier, we had quite a lot of clubs living beyond their means.

That obviously is the concern. The article referred to the majority earning 800 plus and squads of 20 to 33 players. So allowing for staff as well, giving it 30 people x 40k.
Match day income, incl season ticket income, could be as high as �15 per person. So 15000 per 1000 attending league games, 30k per game for Drogheda, 90k per game for Sham Rover. Still a long way shy of 2m for Drogheda.

**pineapple stu** · 24/01/2025, 7:13 AM

Rovers' European results this year have given a boost to the UEFA solidarity pot, haven't they?

Which is supposed to be for academies, but I guess if there's a huge increase in one year it's hard to ramp up academies for one year.

Don't see Shels doing quite as well in Europe this year, so there's presumably budget cuts coming next season.

Still - enjoy it while it's there anyway

**nr637** · 28/01/2025, 10:35 AM

Full-time clubs in the Premier League of Ireland must legally offer senior professional players aged 20 and over a minimum wage of �430 a week.
The terms are slightly altered for teenage players, with full-time players at 19 receiving �380, 18-year olds are entitled to a minimum of �330, while it's �280 for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Part-time players will receive a minimum wage of �130 a week.
The terms are slightly altered for teenage players, with part-time players at 19 receiving �120, 18-year olds are entitled to a minimum of �105, while it's �90 for 16 and 17-year-olds.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc.../42125616.html

**yurt** · 28/01/2025, 1:56 PM

That report is from 2022?

**Another Bohemia** · 28/01/2025, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by yurt

That report is from 2022?

Yeah but 430 a week is less than the 28 grand someone stated as a threshold for being full time. Maybe it has increased since then but id say the PFAI would have made a song and dance about it if they had

**John83** · 28/01/2025, 2:23 PM

Originally Posted by Another Bohemia

Yeah but 430 a week is less than the 28 grand someone stated as a threshold for being full time. Maybe it has increased since then but id say the PFAI would have made a song and dance about it if they had

Minimum wage has gone up recently.

**nr637** · 28/01/2025, 3:23 PM

Originally Posted by yurt

That report is from 2022?

I know, I just added it to the thread to give an idea of what clubs could be paying out in the wage bills. Obviously those figures have changed since 2022.

If a 28K threshold for being full time has been quoted, has anyone seen any further details on the new figures since 2022?

I heard that Cian Coleman signing for Cobh Ramblers and is the highest paid contract at the club at an alledged �900 p/w !

Just curious too, does anyone know are all the Premier clubs offering 52-week contracts?