The "Will We Stay Up?" thread

**Dodge** · 13/12/2008, 4:50 PM

Originally Posted by higgins

Of course it's unacceptable.
We deserved what we got.

I'm just saying that if the same rules are applied to the current teams in the Premier who have also broken contracts with players then UCD should rightfully stay up.

Ah the ol' rules are rules spiel. Haven't heard it ina while.

**pineapple stu** · 21/12/2008, 12:48 PM

Harps need E150k to qualify for a licence for next year. Probably an element of boy who cried wolf there though.

Pat's going part time too. Looks like only Bohs full time next year, although they're trying to get out of it, offering wage cuts.

The league is going back to where it was ten years ago or so. We really need to get out of the First Division ASAP; could easily establish ourselves as a mid-table Premier team then.

**Titan** · 22/12/2008, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Harps need E150k to qualify for a licence for next year. Probably an element of boy who cried wolf there though.

Pat's going part time too. Looks like only Bohs full time next year, although they're trying to get out of it, offering wage cuts.

The league is going back to where it was ten years ago or so. We really need to get out of the First Division ASAP; could easily establish ourselves as a mid-table Premier team then.

Ah good old mid table obscurity! Can dream I suppose!

Was there any more about the first division only having 22 games next year? I'd be in favour as long as they dont ressurect the shield.

**John83** · 22/12/2008, 2:14 PM

Originally Posted by Titan

Ah good old mid table obscurity! Can dream I suppose!

Was there any more about the first division only having 22 games next year? I'd be in favour as long as they dont ressurect the shield.

I suspect the only way we'll have enough teams for 22 games is if it's just us, Wexford and Monaghan and we play each of them 11 times.

**pineapple stu** · 23/12/2008, 5:13 PM

Apparently Cobh voted against a deal to sell their ground to the FAI to clear their debts. I don't understand that club at all.

Opening bit of an article in the Indo -

COBH Ramblers are in danger of being denied a League of Ireland licence for next season after their members dramatically voted against an FAI loan proposal on Sunday evening.

The decision means that their debts of close to €500,000 will remain into the New Year as the January 31 deadline for unpaid monies looms.

With many of the players owed unpaid wages of up to €40,000, and no source of income in the off-season, Ramblers are believed to be resigned to fielding an amateur team next year, whether in the League of Ireland or not.

**Captain2007** · 23/12/2008, 5:43 PM

. Other reports have just four teams. Interesting that Bray are there - contradicts the earlier theory that they cut back on players' wages to dip under the 65% wage cap. Looks like there could be big cuts Reports in various papers that they, along with Athlone, Cobh, Harps, Bray and Cork have failed to pay their players by 30 November as per licencingthere next year too.

Bray Players agreed to take a pay cut for the last 3 matches,players on contracts are fully paid hence Ger Rowe been released,and yes the budget for 2009 will be 2/3 of what it was for 2008, Bray will be looking at their successful underage set up to bring some players through especially with the financial situation at present.

**Poor Student** · 06/01/2009, 1:56 PM

Without going into the details Drogheda and Harps still look to be in serious difficulty. I think Bohs and Cork are out of the woods with regards to starting in the Premier next season so it would take the unlikely situation of Drogs, Harps and Cobh being unable to secure a licence to give us a chance of staying up. It's strange that this possibility can't be totally ruled out at this late stage.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 06/01/2009, 2:54 PM

It seems likely that Drogs won't be getting a license. Given Harps financially difficulties would they want a place in the Premier next season? To avoid adding to their debt they would have to have a team that probably wouldn't be competitive.

**pineapple stu** · 06/01/2009, 2:57 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

Given Harps financially difficulties would they want a place in the Premier next season?

Two games against Derry should answer your question.

**pineapple stu** · 21/01/2009, 3:55 PM

Apparently Harps and Cobh have both had their 2009 budgets vetoed by the FAI, which presumably where our small chance lies.

**Juanace** · 21/01/2009, 5:01 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Apparently Harps and Cobh have both had their 2009 budgets vetoed by the FAI, which presumably where our small chance lies.

When did you here that Stu?

**pineapple stu** · 21/01/2009, 5:53 PM

It's on the eL forum; gufct posted it.

Piecing together the clues, what may have happened is that the FAI, realising Drogheda aren't going to get a licence for next year, went to Harps to ensure everything was in order there. That's when the E150k hole in their accounts showed up, which is why Harps suddenly started looking for E150k for their licence, and why they're so eager to reject notions they're not in trouble (they've a very short deadline). Cobh are obviously in a mess, so we're next.

That's all pure speculation, mind, but it's a theory which fits the facts as we know them. I'm sure there's others.

**Juanace** · 21/01/2009, 7:43 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

It's on the eL forum; gufct posted it.

Piecing together the clues, what may have happened is that the FAI, realising Drogheda aren't going to get a licence for next year, went to Harps to ensure everything was in order there. That's when the E150k hole in their accounts showed up, which is why Harps suddenly started looking for E150k for their licence, and why they're so eager to reject notions they're not in trouble (they've a very short deadline). Cobh are obviously in a mess, so we're next.

That's all pure speculation, mind, but it's a theory which fits the facts as we know them. I'm sure there's others.

Interesting stuff! I give us a very outside chance of being a premier club though, here's hoping.

The whole feckin league is a joke mind. Seems every club bar one or two have got the benefit of league position by overspending and were gettting punished for not. Hope the club take legal action or sumtin. I'm trying to get 'em to!

**pineapple stu** · 22/01/2009, 10:14 AM

They'd have to fire you to free up cash for that.

Anyways, no point sueing for promotion if it's a 22-team league in a couple of years...

**Bald Student** · 22/01/2009, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

They'd have to fire you to free up cash for that.

Anyways, no point sueing for promotion if it's a 22-team league in a couple of years...

Where is the league going to get 22 teams from?

**pineapple stu** · 22/01/2009, 10:24 AM

Bump 'em up from the A League. I'm sure any team in there would, by definition, jump at the chance of promotion to the league proper...

**pineapple stu** · 23/01/2009, 3:57 PM

Quote from Delaney on setanta.com about Drogheda's current problems-

"If any of the clubs that are currently in the Premier Division don't make it through, then the first offer will go to the last relegated club, who would be Finn Harps.

"Obviously if Finn Harps don't meet the requirements set out by the licensing committee, then it would be offered down again to the next club. Any First Division club that have applied for a Premier Division will have to wait for the relegated clubs to be sorted out first."

So that confirms the pecking order as Harps first, then Cobh, then us, then Shels, then Fingal, etc.

**pineapple stu** · 27/01/2009, 12:47 PM

The FAI have rejected Cobh's ground purchase proposals because, according to RT�, they can't be seen to be giving assistance to clubs around licencing time. They have left the door open to revisit the issue after licence time. Implies to me that Cobh have no chance of getting a Premier licence this year.