idea s for the mighty lims

**balls** · 29/10/2003, 8:43 PM

i am a big fan of limerick even though i dont get to see many games . I really hope senior soccer takes off again in limerick.
will we ever have an u21 team again. This is the future of a succesful senior team. i know that we struggle to attract the top young players in the county because most have been brainwashed into playin county gaa or rugby. but thats what people are doin at the moment . so now is time to take action. An area where the lims could sign many top players is in south tipperary. the u18 league here is one of the most competitive in the country. soccer here is number one above all other sports and most of the top clubs players play solely the beautiful game. Clubs like Cashel town clonmel celtic peake villa clonmel town saint michaels galbally united etc all these clubs players aims are to play inter league many have played all ireland u16 schoolboy finals. so they want to make it to the top in their chosen sport. once these lads leave u18 suyrely the next step for the cream of the crop must be u21 . and we should provide that step for them . We should keep up to date with the top players. they might even be goin to college in limerick so it could bea convenient arrangement for all. we need these kind of players dedicated and with a love of the game not the rossy cosgraves and eoin keatings who will **** off and play gaa completely under minding any other commitments. i manage a team in the youth league in t.s.d.l. and would gladly submit a list of the top players to someone at the club if they were interested. also we should have people keepin an eye out in the limerick leagues and the desmond league for those one or too gems floatin around. look how well our young players from kerry done this season especially o mahony. lets build for the future. p.s . how much does it cost roughly to run an eircom league div 1 club for a season

**sadloserkid** · 30/10/2003, 9:48 AM

Originally posted by balls
how much does it cost roughly to run an eircom league div 1 club for a season

According to the club's predictions this season it would have cost somewhere in the region of �3,500. The FAI (according to the same predictions) provide a grant of �3,000. So it would have probably cost �500.

I believe

is the appropriate emoticon?

**JohnD** · 30/10/2003, 9:57 AM

I think It costs �50,000 ish to run the Senior team. SLK is right about the figures for the U21 squad.

**LFC in Exile** · 30/10/2003, 9:59 AM

Originally posted by sadloserkid
According to the club's predictions this season it would have cost somewhere in the region of �3,500. The FAI (according to the same predictions) provide a grant of �3,000. So it would have probably cost �500.

I believe is the appropriate emoticon?

�3,500 over a 33 week season (including the 2 week break) - from April 12 to November 30 is approximately �106.06 per week. The FAI grant equates to �90.91 (approx) per week. And we think the players are giving up a lot by not being paid? With a 15 man squad that is an average �7.07 (approx) per player. Excluding managers wages because he is also a player and coaching staff.

I actually think

or

may be more appropriate.

**Countyman** · 30/10/2003, 10:20 AM

we have been told up here that it costs between �250k to �300k to run a division one club for the year.

Our weekly wage bill is "allegedly" �3500.
throw in rent, insurance, travel costs, fees , fines

, esb , physios, U21 and other expenses and you would definately go over �200k.

Gate receipts would need to make half of this while fundraising and sponsorship should make the other half.

With a running cost of �250k and say average 19 home games in all competitions you would need crowds of about 600-700 paying �10 per head to make half this(not inc kids). Of course then you are relying on pulling in the rest from sponsorship and funding. No easy task.

I know we only get 4 to 5 hundred so its easy to see why division one is such a graveyard.

**LFC in Exile** · 30/10/2003, 11:34 AM

The numbers just don't add up do they. They difficulty is that attendaces will decline if the club are out of the running - I mean how Cobh or Kilkenny get anybody at all is amazing.

I was impressed to read about Kildare's drive to get people to contribute by selling what were effectively season tickets. I think this could work well as a fundraiser for Limerick for next season. Get people to buy season tickets at �150 a head. I mean I would buy one - I am sure non-Limerick based supporters would also buy one even though they would not be able to get to all of t he matches. This means you get the funds up front to fund the league campaign. If the team does well you get the added income from the casual paying punter. 500 season tickets sold means �75,000 in the coffers guaranteed - giving players and staff a bit of comfort in relation to wages etc.

Is this something that the club could look at for the end of this season looking forward? Any other thoughts on this?

**Rams-fan** · 30/10/2003, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by LFC in Exile
The numbers just don't add up do they. They difficulty is that attendaces will decline if the club are out of the running - I mean how Cobh or Kilkenny get anybody at all is amazing.

That's the problem LFC have, The majority of Cobh fans turn up irrespective of position and the core group is always at the matches. If a club doing very well visits, the casual supporters come to see them irrespective of the ramblers position in the league.

Cobh ramblers also run a season tickets / membership scheme and this sets up the season with some money in the Bank. Although we still don't have a main sponsor and money is tight we are surviving with Raffles/lottos etc.. which are on-going throughout the season.

LFC could learn a lot from a small club like ramblers.

**�anna** · 30/10/2003, 2:28 PM

Originally posted by Rams-fan
The majority of Cobh fans turn up irrespective of position and the core group is always at the matches.

all 60 of them is it?! Ramblers support fluctuates wildly depending on who they play and how they're doing. Limerick seem to have a solid core support not much smaller than ramblers, the problem is that rams get a lot of day trippers and lims don't.

**LFC in Exile** · 30/10/2003, 3:05 PM

Originally posted by Rams-fan
LFC could learn a lot from a small club like ramblers.

I couldn't agree with you more. I wasn't aiming a dig at Cobh - just trying to make the point that when projections are made at the start of a season it would be better to get the money in upfront than gamble on having an eventful or successful season.