Tremendous system. I believe Spain do something similar.Originally Posted by Nagger
Great move for him. German is easy to learn. And Werder Bremen are a great club. He'll probably start out in the reserve side. But they still play in the 3rd tier. Regional Liga.
Tremendous system. I believe Spain do something similar.
Really? Although I enjoy German football, and get over for games now and again, I've never liked the idea of reserve sides playing in the third division, as opposed to their own youth league. They've no fans, there's zero atmosphere and so on.
While in Madrid on holiday this year I went to Vallecano- Huesca in their D2. Huesca is a town in Aragon, near Zaragoza. There were about 20 away fans, I doubt their reserves have much of a following.
It doesn't have the depth of interest that Englaish football has but I think most observers think that the Bundesliga is a model of sense and sustainability on the basis of its tight regulations regarding ownership and financial prudence.
The EPL is a bit like Wall Street banking - focus on short term rewards with huge share of revenues going to employees with no long term "skin in the game". This encouarages risky behaviour. Even Alan Greenspan admitted after the crash that his conviction - that left to their own devices the banks wouldn't endanger their own existence - was wrong. The EPL is taking the same light regulation stance and it'll cost them.
German top flight clubs, on the other hand are like Nationwide Building Society, managed for its members with a view to the longer term. The cost to the Bundesliga has been loss of competitiveness at the top level in Europe but they're well placed to benefit in the current environment and especially when UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules kick in. The Bundesliga's ability to provide & nurture talent for the national teams vastly surpasses that of England.
Where England wins out is global appeal, its genuinely deep league structure and, for the time being, competitiveness in Europe.
German Bundesliga grounds are fantastic and fan culture is superb too, every bit as good, if not better than in England.
1828: DONE DEAL: The Irish Football Association has confirmed 19-year-old Cliftonville and Northern Ireland under-21 striker Liam Boyce has completed a move to Werder Bremen - Tottenham's opponents in the Champions League group stages, of course, for an undisclosed fee. From the Irish Premiership to the Bundesliga... it's a funny old game!
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
An international transfer would make a nice bonus
If you think that the 'transfer' of Gibson/Wilson/Duffy/Kearns caused a furor, good God what would happen here?
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist thinks it will change; the realist adjusts the sails.
Why would it cause a furor? He was ignored by the IFA team until April this year when they included him in a couple of u19 games, I'm not aware that he was ever involved in beaglebum's youth set-up before this.
Er, he was "ignored" by pretty much everyone, considering he only made his Cliftonville debut last season (2009-10).
In fact, Beaglehole has been very refreshing in the way he has been prepared to give youth its chance as early as possible, including comparable IL players like Martin Donnelly, who has already gained a senior cap.
Oh and btw, Beaglehole drafted Boyce straight into the NI U-21's, when he had just turned 19 and had barely half a season with Cliftonville.
P.S. Beaglehole only took over the U-21's in August 2008, so whatever else, he's hardly been ignoring "uncut diamonds" for very long.
Last edited by EalingGreen; 01/09/2010 at 1:44 PM.
Welcome back EG, glad you've recovered from your bout of eligibilityitis
Thanks for the kind wishes, but this thread is about Liam Boyce.Welcome back EG, glad you've recovered from your bout of eligibilityitis
You know, the young kid who has been ignored by the FAI all this time...
If the gentlemen's agreement agreed with the IFA in 1999 still stands due to the goodwill of the FAI - in spite, of course, of the IFA's recent irresponsible attempt to breach and dismantle it wholesale - then you'll know that Boyce has to volunteer his interest to the FAI before they call him into any team.You know, the young kid who has been ignored by the FAI all this time...
Yeah, but there are direct flights between Hamburg and Dublin, and he knows Shane Duffy. Its just easier for everybody this way.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
Go with your heart Liam.
Least that way if you have any regrets you can say that it was the heart that led ya.
Never fear EG, The FAI have a whole army of willing spies who track all possible recruits in the North, young Boyce's file was opened when he was playing for Rushlight Celtic in the Belfast Sunday league, afew years back.Thanks for the kind wishes, but this thread is about Liam Boyce.
You know, the young kid who has been ignored by the FAI all this time...
In that case, does his non-inclusion at any level for ROI mean that he is not considered good enough by the FAI to be worth approaching, even at under-age level?Never fear EG, The FAI have a whole army of willing spies who track all possible recruits in the North, young Boyce's file was opened when he was playing for Rushlight Celtic in the Belfast Sunday league, afew years back.
Or that he has been approached, but declined?
Northern Ireland's world-class coaching facilities were decided as more suitable for his early footballing education.
But when it comes to senior international football, he might want to play for an actual nation...
Is anyone monitoring Padraig Almond's transfer from Sligo to Paccos Ferriera in Portugal. Seems odd. Must be a player with good potential. Anyone know anything about him?
nice guys.
Since 1880
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/8964485.stm
Steve Beaglehole applauds Liam Boyce transfer
Liam Boyce will cap a whirlwind week by starting for Northern Ireland Under-21s in their European Championship qualifier against San Marino on Friday.
The striker has returned to the squad's base after securing a dream move from Cliftonville to Werder Bremen.
U-21 boss Steve Beaglehole applauded the player for moving to Germany.
"Not everyone of his age would do that and it is to his credit that he was keen to go. I'm delighted and it could be the making of him," said Beaglehole.
Boyce is due to join the Bundesliga club's Under-23 side in one of the most surprising transfers of the summer.
"I know one or two clubs in England were looking at Liam but nothing came of it," said Beaglehole.
"Liam will get a great football education in Bremen - they have invested in raw potential and he can be anything he wants to be.
"He is an old-fashioned centre forward, who does his best work in the box - he is physical, brave and can finish.
"What Liam needs to do now is build up his fitness but that should come naturally as he switches from part-time to full-time football."
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