Comparison of LOI and BSP

**irishultra** · 10/12/2008, 9:27 PM

fair enough but its better than the hoofball you get in ireland.

P.S this is not the opinion of irish ultra, he happens to believe that a lot of the teams do actually try to play the ball on the ground in the loi. attacking mentality is not as widespread as one would like but hoofing the ball is not a common tactic.

Irish ultra just wants some ignorant people to realise to people who love and watch that game the term is ignorant and does not give credit to the skill of the players.

**R�iteoir** · 10/12/2008, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

Does anyone have a link to average attendances for clubs in the BSP or even BSN or BSS?

http://tonykempster.co.uk/gridsindex.htm

Much more detailed stats and such

**Cymro** · 12/12/2008, 12:54 PM

The strength in depth of English football is so high because it's their national sport and they have a tradition there. Same as we in Wales get crowds in thousands to watch semi-pro level rugby, because people turn out to support their village/town in the national sport.

I have watched several Conference games over the years (though thankfully none with Swansea) and it is a much better standard than you'd think. Most of the teams are professional nowadays, many of them could more than hold their own in the lower reaches of the football league itself. Teams such as Oxford, Cambridge, York, Torquay, Exeter etc - all formerly 'big' football league teams that have struggled to get back out of that league, which I think speaks volumes for its strength in depth. Wrexham could well join them if they don't get out at their first attempt.

Haven't seen so much of the BSN or BSS, although I've watched Newport County once or twice the last couple of seasons. The crowds, facilities (and to a lesser degree playing standards) experience a bit of a drop-off there compared to the BSP and are more similar to what you might consider non-league level. There are still some good teams there though.

Incidentally I'd disagree with the �800p/w average wage figure given for BSP teams. Wrexham fans tell me their best players are on that, but that their average wage is closer to �500.

**irishultra** · 12/12/2008, 1:08 PM

I'd s the Welsh league is better than conference in England, well at least the best team in Wales would be top 5 in conference. LOI would be about League One standard/conference standard.

And also if anything I would say LOI would have a greater number of proper good players playing in the League, because it stands to reason. loi players don't join conference or league two sides generally.

**pineapple stu** · 12/12/2008, 1:12 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

I'd s the Welsh league is better than conference in England

Not a hope in hell.

Teams like Merthyr and Newport have stayed in the Ryman League rather than join the Welsh league, for example.

You can't say a part-time league with crowds of under 300 average is better than a largely full-time league with crowds of about 2000 average.

**Cymro** · 12/12/2008, 1:13 PM

The best teams in the Welsh premier would be doing pretty well to survive in the Conference in my view, but most of the teams in the league would probably be around BSN/BSS standard. I personally think the LOI is about the same level as the BSP, perhaps the top teams would be more League One/Two due to the money they get from European runs but most teams in Ireland are semi-pro and I'd have reservations about their ability to beat Conference teams. I don't profess to be any great expert on Irish football though, so take my opinion with a pinch of salt if you will.

Stu, Newport are in the BSS, not Ryman League, Merthyr are in the 'British Gas Southern League Premier'. Also I do think that attendances aren't everything. Newport regularly get over 1,000 but I don't believe they're a better team than quite a few Welsh premier teams, in fact games between Newport and the Welsh Premier teams have always been close despite the disparity in terms of average attendance.

**holidaysong** · 12/12/2008, 1:18 PM

Check out Sgorio Cymru on S4C on a Saturday evening to see what the LOW is like.. I watched TNS vs. Rhyl live last week and the standard was pretty bad - probably no better than LOI first division. The crowd was also a measley 750 for a top of the table clash.

**pineapple stu** · 12/12/2008, 1:18 PM

Originally Posted by Cymro

Stu, Newport are in the BSS, not Ryman League.

Sorry; those leagues keep changing!

Also I do think that attendances aren't everything.

Agree attendances aren't everything, which is why I brought in full-time v part-time. Not very well up on my Welsh football, so I'll bow to your superior knowledge, but I'm happy my post is in essence correct (and you've agreed, I think).

**Cymro** · 12/12/2008, 1:50 PM

Yeah, I agree with you that the Welsh premier is not generally speaking BSP standard. Interesting to note that TNS are full time on average attendances of around 300. I haven't a clue how they do it, but somehow they make the numbers add up. I guess they probably pay pretty basic wages, probably no more than �300 p/w, and make up the deficit in European and domestic prize money and sponsorship.

**pineapple stu** · 12/12/2008, 1:52 PM

They're bankrolled by Total Network Solutions though, aren't they? Or at least, the former owner (who sold out I think?)

**holidaysong** · 12/12/2008, 1:55 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

They're bankrolled by Total Network Solutions though, aren't they? Or at least, the former owner (who sold out I think?)

They were. That TNS pulled out. TNS now stands for The New Saints..

**Cymro** · 12/12/2008, 1:55 PM

No, Mike Harris sold Total Network Solutions to BT three years ago, hence why they're now called The New Saints. As of then, they have presumably been operating on other income streams.