Licences for 2009

[AnnaghRed]

Quite sad that who's made it and who hasn't has to made by somebody with a length of red tape 3 weeks before seasons start. Irish league heading the same way. Seems little point competing on the pitch any more

[Dodge]

Quite sad that who's made it and who hasn't has to made by somebody with a length of red tape 3 weeks before seasons start. Irish league heading the same way. Seems little point competing on the pitch any more

Except the top league are all there on merit. It's not like they force the clubs to have 10,000 seats or anything. Just basic facilities, after that it's about football

[AnnaghRed]

Is Kildares ground that much better than Cobhs?

[gael353]

dont think it has anything to do with whos ground is the best. its finances too, not sure about kildare but cobh have about half a million of debt around their necks

[Longfordian]

They never managed to pay the Revenue and/or do a deal with their players I think. If they could have managed those they'd probably have been alright but apparently their Revenue debt was or is something like €160,000.

[AnnaghRed]

I dont know the ins & outs to be honest, but as i see it higher profile clubs haven't been punished to the same extent [virtual extinction] for committing similar crimes to Cobh.

I stand to be corrected, but it stinks to me of making an example of the minnow because theres less likely to be any comeback.

[don ramo]

our ground has been upgraded over the last 2 years to the tune of 1,3 million euro, it has a 1500 seating capacity, with an addition 3000 odd standing,(premier division standard) we had new floodlights installed, a new stand built, the old stand reseated, pitch lenghted and widend and new dressing rooms, all seemingly gone down the can,

players were sorted, its the revenue that killed us, now we have a half a million debth, with i think 7 home games to generate cash, (we also have a clubhouse that is ahead of its targets and more of less keeping us going),

[SeanDrog]

I dont know the ins & outs to be honest, but as i see it higher profile clubs haven't been punished to the same extent [virtual extinction] for committing similar crimes to Cobh.

I stand to be corrected, but it stinks to me of making an example of the minnow because theres less likely to be any comeback.

Wel other clubs got their act i order, cork and drogs taking the very risky and painful route of examinership, like it or not a legal process to get your house in order - Cobh have not addressed their debt issues, I asked previosuly and I ask again what have the Cobh supporters done to reduce this debt as all I see is crys of being hard done by being directed at clubs who got their affairs in order.

[passerrby]

I dont know the ins & outs to be honest, but as i see it higher profile clubs haven't been punished to the same extent [virtual extinction] for committing similar crimes to Cobh.

I stand to be corrected, but it stinks to me of making an example of the minnow because theres less likely to be any comeback.

there is some merit in what you say .some of the higher profile clubs should have been punished for breaching the protocol but were give the all clear to ensure we had a premier league.
I believe licensing has lost any remaining credability it had

[Mr A]

Yes, the massive, polka dot wearing, tap dancing elephant elephant in the room here is the 65% rule. It seems that this has simply been ignored because of the clubs it would affect. Are the FAI seriously trying to have us believe that only GUFC and Sligo breached this, and that once they reined back everything was hunky dory?

[Mr A]

Things we've learned about licensing:

The 65% rule doesn't really apply.
You don't really have to have all staff paid up to date.
You don't really have to have paid what you owe in terms of transfer fees.
You don't actually have to meet minimum requirements about your pitch, or have any plan to do so.
Shafting your creditors and the reputation of the league etc by walking away from your debts means diddly squat. Just don't do it again.

[pineapple stu]

Things we've learned about licensing:

You don't actually have to meet minimum requirements about your pitch, or have any plan to do so.

The Indo reports that Fungus only got a First Division licence because the Morton Stadium pitch isn't long enough. Though I think that just adds more fuel to your rampant sarcasm.

[Réiteoir]

When did Limerick get the old name back - dropping the 37 bit from the title?

Are they now known as Limerick FC - or are they still to be referred to as Limerick 37?

[Mr A]

I think they announced last year that the 37 was to be dropped.

[Schumi]

The Indo reports that Fungus only got a First Division licence because the Morton Stadium pitch isn't long enough. Though I think that just adds more fuel to your rampant sarcasm.

It'll be interesting to see if it magically conforms to premier standard next year if they get promoted.

[passerrby]

It'll be interesting to see if it magically conforms to premier standard next year if they get promoted.

they intend getting around this problem by only having small legged players i think that will be acceptable to licensing

[passinginterest]

If even half of the stuff in this Herald article is true then licensing really has shown itself to be a complete farce, then again there'd hardly be any teams left if it was fully enforced by the sound of things:

One Premier Division club has issued players with wages cheques which have bounced in the last fortnight, another major Premier Division club is reportedly getting around their restrictive budget -- clubs must present their budget for the season to the FAI for approval before they can get a licence -- by paying players partly in cash.

There are serious fears over the long-term survival of another major club whose budget for the 2009 season is based on the assumption of winning at least one trophy, having a long run in Europe and also improving gate receipts at a time when the recession in the national economy is bound to drive down gates.

Another owes a player €40,000 in back wages but were still awarded a licence. Another club did not even come close to meeting the January 31 deadline for paying all back monies to players for last season have been granted a conditional licence, and although a deal has been stuck where the players will be paid in three instalments over the coming months, those players -- who are overall owed €20,000 -- do not expect to see their money.

full article is here: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/co...e-1642398.html

[Jofspring]

If those things are true then its cobh i feel sorry for. They seem to be getting punished while other clubs get away with it purely cause they are considered the bigger clubs in the country.

[SkStu]

If even half of the stuff in this Herald article is true then licensing really has shown itself to be a complete farce, then again there'd hardly be any teams left if it was fully enforced by the sound of things:


full article is here: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/co...e-1642398.html

hair-raising stuff there!

spot the Bohs budget. ffs

[gufct]

Thta article is frightening and I think the teams are very easy pick out. The whole thing stinks to the high heavens.