2012 First Division structure?

**legendz** · 14/12/2011, 10:51 AM

They'll probably feel the same about us and will only be interest in playing Cobh. Is more to do with the traditions of clubs. Mervue and Salthill have that to earn. We ourselves should we get in have a lot to do, I've no doubts on that at all. I believe there is a place for an A league for clubs to progress. It doesn't equate to having instant respect for clubs though. It's down to clubs themselves to make a name for themselves. Fingal did it before things went awfully wrong. We'lll all have out own views I guess. The best way for any club to earn respect is to at least have been in the premier at some stage.

**culloty82** · 14/12/2011, 10:56 AM

In fairness, Mervue seem to have come on in leaps and bounds in the last 12 months - probably still a legitimate question though as to whether all three clubs can prosper, the Indo today saying that GUST want to hold talks with Salthill, but that they're unlikely to show any interest.

**A face** · 14/12/2011, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

the Indo today saying that GUST want to hold talks with Salthill, but that they're unlikely to show any interest.

Its a pity because its in both their interests to join forces.

**legendz** · 14/12/2011, 12:53 PM

Who is anyone to say what is right for Salthill except themselves? If they are a club in their own right which they are and they have their own ambitions and plans, they are quite right to pursue that.

**Jofspring** · 14/12/2011, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Its a pity because its in both their interests to join forces.

As I said previuosly, why?

Galway can offer them fans but thats about it and there is no guarantee all the fans of Galway Utd would support this new team.

What else can GUST offer Salthill or Mervue or Both.

**WoodquayBoy** · 14/12/2011, 2:07 PM

A sh&t load of debt for one thing!!

**WoodquayBoy** · 14/12/2011, 2:09 PM

Obviously not the GUST that will offer that - sorry, meant GUFC.

**LFC-Zulu** · 14/12/2011, 3:13 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

As I said previuosly, why?

Galway can offer them fans but thats about it and there is no guarantee all the fans of Galway Utd would support this new team.

What else can GUST offer Salthill or Mervue or Both.

And to expand on the above point:

Have you seen the work Mervue have done in the last few months? Both Salthill and Mervue have fantastic setups. Their youth systems are fantastic and if you've been to either ground, it's obvious the pride they take in that. Why would they lose all credibility they've earned by merging with an experiment? They'd most likely be needing to move back in Terryland again in that case, and Mervue have already left; they'd hardly agree to return. If either side agrees, I'd be shocked. Saying that, all credit to GUST for their work, I just don't see this as a logical move.

**bluewhitearmy** · 14/12/2011, 6:05 PM

Originally Posted by LFC-Zulu

And to expand on the above point:

Have you seen the work Mervue have done in the last few months? Both Salthill and Mervue have fantastic setups. Their youth systems are fantastic and if you've been to either ground, it's obvious the pride they take in that. Why would they lose all credibility they've earned by merging with an experiment? They'd most likely be needing to move back in Terryland again in that case, and Mervue have already left; they'd hardly agree to return. If either side agrees, I'd be shocked. Saying that, all credit to GUST for their work, I just don't see this as a logical move.

Agree with this and Jofsprings posts..

Not only do Mervue seem to have a better set up off the pitch then Galway imo they also have a better team so it would be a step backwards to merge with GUST.

**nigel-harps1954** · 14/12/2011, 6:30 PM

Definitely can't see either club wanting to merge with them. It may be in the best interests crowd-wise, but anything else they're better off themselves. Salthill have a great setup, all they need is attendance. Very very poor turnouts from their home 'crowd', but they need a stand, and attendance and they'll go up in the LOI ladder fast.

**El-Pietro** · 14/12/2011, 6:56 PM

i dont see Salthill ever getting crowds. they play in the absolute middle of nowhere. its really hard to find and harder still to get to

**legendz** · 14/12/2011, 9:03 PM

There's a place for any club as long as they have their house on order. Surely if a club can't compete financially against other clubs in terms of attracting players, they can work in other areas like player development, and as long as they have their house in order as said, possibly even make money from some talent that might move on to other clubs. What's the population of Salthill? Less than Cobh? There's still no reason for these clubs not to be involved. League places aren't determined by population size, as good as it might be in some areas to see a region have a club in the league.

**El-Pietro** · 14/12/2011, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

There's a place for any club as long as they have their house on order. Surely if a club can't compete financially against other clubs in terms of attracting players, they can work in other areas like player development, and as long as they have their house in order as said, possibly even make money from some talent that might move on to other clubs. What's the population of Salthill? Less than Cobh? There's still no reason for these clubs not to be involved. League places aren't determined by population size, as good as it might be in some areas to see a region have a club in the league.

im not saying theyt shouldnt be involved, im saying they wont ever pull crowds, they arent ever going to make much progress. they have fantastic facilities, but they need at last something resembling a stand

its clear you havent been there, it is literally in the middle of nowhere. they dont even play in salthill - you cant understand how isolated they are until youve gotten lost on the country roads surrounding their ground

**El-Pietro** · 14/12/2011, 10:34 PM

also i never mentioned population, you brought that in.

**Lim till i die** · 15/12/2011, 12:07 AM

Looking more and more like a ten team division.

That FC Galway Foras thingy wont fly.

I just hope we get an inkling sometime before Febuary but if I was guessing I'd go:

Athlone
Carlow
Harps
Limerick
Longford
Mervue
Salthill
Tralee
Waterford
Wexford

And I'd expect us to be winning that by at least a dozen points.

Only question marks I'd have on that list would be are Wexford gonna be around and if Bray go tits up will the FAI put us up or fudge Waterford up.

**geezer** · 18/12/2011, 10:08 PM

[QUOTE=Lim till i die;1560363]Looking more and more like a ten team division.

That FC Galway Foras thingy wont fly.
thanks for the confidence boost,
If any others go tits up from the premier its Lims will go up if ready

btw Its Galway United Supporters Trust FC, We would happily take a further ten point punishment for the previous mess

There was more at tonights public meeting in the Claddagh hall that would attend a lot of first division games put together. The decision will be the fai,s at the end of the day, But great to see national, local politicians,the Mayor of County Galway no less, letters of support from major sponsors, letters from previous players, attendance of Morning Ireland reporter, TV cameras, and many faces from all over Galway, Junior clubs from the city and county and representatives from the Local FA.

Positive display and there are not many places where the League Of Ireland was being promoted on the streets as yesterday in the centre of Galway where nearly 1000 signatures were gathered in support of our licence application. We have stadia, investment (gust put in €107000 in ten months this season), training facilities, management team, Major support of previous sponsors, and commercial team in place and the support of Supporters Direct

It wont be easy but it will be fought for its all we can do

**culloty82** · 19/12/2011, 7:11 AM

Reported in Saturday's Evening Echo that Cobh have come to an agreement with the FAI which settles their outstanding debts - suddenly their First Division prospects look much brighter.

**adamd164** · 19/12/2011, 8:43 AM

Is it definite that Cobh have applied for a license though, where has this been confirmed? (Apologies if I've missed it).

A friend who supports them told me they weren't going to apply.

**culloty82** · 19/12/2011, 11:18 AM

In the same article, one of the Cobh officials said that their "future in senior football had been secured", and if they didn't apply for a licence, their only other option would have been the MSL, one would have thought.

**Lim till i die** · 19/12/2011, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by geezer

thanks for the confidence boost,

I wasn't having a pop as such.

It's just I'm sure you saw the bould Fran in the papers the other week questioning the viability of three Galway clubs at a time when I assume he would have known well the craic with United.