Summer Soccer

**gufc2000** · 07/02/2009, 6:02 PM

I see the IFA President Raymond Kennedy has said they are looking into the possibility of switching to a summer season due to the recent postponements and adverse weather affecting their schedule. Due to recent postponements, they may have to extend their league at the end of the season. They are going to meet representatives of member clubs to discuss summer soccer and whether they would be in favour.

What do NI fans think?

**AnnaghRed** · 07/02/2009, 6:34 PM

Poll running on IL forums shows a pretty even split so far 91 against 80 for.

Personally i'd be against it, cup final in november just wouldn't seem right. Idiots increasing the number of league games with their a*sehole new set up hasn't helped either.

**gufc2000** · 07/02/2009, 8:07 PM

No disrespect but it look as if some of yere teams up there have to play far too many games.

Rough Breakdown and using Glentoran as an example:
League 38
Cup 5 (possibly)
League Cup 7 (possibly)
Setanta Cup: 8 (possibly)
Europe: 4 (possibly)

Now its highly unlikely they'd go the whole way in all competitions but the above has a potential 62 games and potential cup replays. Surely way too much to expect from part-time players.

Correct me if i'm wrong cos i could be off target with my cup estimations.

**AnnaghRed** · 08/02/2009, 1:39 AM

60 game season would be close enough i'd reckon. They got rid of the "dead wood" this season though and still increased league games from 30 to 38

Last time they tried that 1996 i think crowds fell through the floor and have never recovered since.

**Graemerz** · 08/02/2009, 2:09 AM

Don't see how summer football can change things that much. We had 5 of 6 premier games called off in August.

**Dunny** · 08/02/2009, 2:30 AM

Originally Posted by AnnaghRed

Poll running on IL forums shows a pretty even split so far 91 against 80 for.

Link?

**holidaysong** · 08/02/2009, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by Dunny

Link?

http://www.irishleaguesupporters.com...ad.php?t=37488

**seanfhear** · 09/02/2009, 1:19 PM

Summer football has improved the standard of play in the LOI by quite a lot.
Possible proof of this is the number of players getting transfers to the Championship in England and to higher levels in Scotland e.g. McGinn. McCourt.

**pineapple stu** · 09/02/2009, 1:25 PM

In fairness, I don't think that has anything to do with it. If a player's good enough to move abroad, he will; what season he does most of his training is irrelevant.

**mypost** · 09/02/2009, 6:08 PM

Originally Posted by AnnaghRed

Poll running on IL forums shows a pretty even split so far 91 against 80 for.

Personally i'd be against it, cup final in november just wouldn't seem right.

We have ours in December, the world didn't stop turning.

Regarding weather, you can get the same weather in December for a cup final as in the Spring.

**Mr_Parker** · 09/02/2009, 7:34 PM

Originally Posted by GUFCforlife

I see the IFA President Raymond Kennedy has said they are looking into the possibility of switching to a summer season due to the recent postponements and adverse weather affecting their schedule. Due to recent postponements, they may have to extend their league at the end of the season. They are going to meet representatives of member clubs to discuss summer soccer and whether they would be in favour.

Take everything Kennedy says with a big pince of salt!

**pineapple stu** · 10/02/2009, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

Regarding weather, you can get the same weather in December for a cup final as in the Spring.

Cup Final's usually in May though.

You can get bad weather in May, but you're less likely to, which is the point. How important it is is another question.

**Steve Bruce** · 10/02/2009, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

Take everything Kennedy says with a big pince of salt!

Much like yourself then.

**Dunny** · 10/02/2009, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

http://www.irishleaguesupporters.com...ad.php?t=37488

Cheers.

**mypost** · 10/02/2009, 2:59 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Cup Final's usually in May though.

You can get bad weather in May, but you're less likely to, which is the point. How important it is is another question.

My first cup final in 85, was a soakfest. Other ones like 78, 83, 94, 97 are known for how bad the weather was.

In our climate, if it's not raining, it's about to.

**pineapple stu** · 10/02/2009, 3:47 PM

So five times over 25 years, it rained?

Good argument.

**AnnaghRed** · 10/02/2009, 6:29 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

We have ours in December, the world didn't stop turning.

Regarding weather, you can get the same weather in December for a cup final as in the Spring.

I remember watching Derry and St Pats on RTE and most of the crowd seemed to be wearing so'westers, cant ever remember weather like that for an Irish cup final.

**dcfcsteve** · 11/02/2009, 2:10 AM

Originally Posted by AnnaghRed

I remember watching Derry and St Pats on RTE and most of the crowd seemed to be wearing so'westers, cant ever remember weather like that for an Irish cup final.

It didn't affect the standard of play though

**SolitudeRed** · 11/02/2009, 3:01 AM

I say give it a go whats the worse that can happen if it doesn't work out change it back I think its about time the IFA take a bit more adventurous steps in its attempts to improve the league.

Much like yourself then.

and much like Linfield FC if your apparent allegations of them releasing false attendence figures are to be believed!