Clubs divided over future LOI format?

**Macy** · 20/09/2012, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

I was talking to someone who should know, and the reserve team thing has been on the table for a while. Most FD teams oppose it apparently

Ok - I stand corrected. Good to see they've devoted a few minutes to the issue. However, Dan McD's indo piece also suggests that it mightn't be supported by premier teams either.

One option being considered to bring the First Division up to speed is that top-flight clubs could enter reserve sides.

However, the cost and logistics are likely to deter Premier Division sides from doing this.

It's clear from the articles that they're winging it on other teams coming in - "We'll just have to wait and see" as per the Times article. Did they even notice that there was only 11 teams for much of this season, to base their thinking that a 12 team premier is best? Mind you, I guess mons going belly up helped with their attendance increase stat.

**El-Pietro** · 20/09/2012, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

I was talking to someone who should know, and the reserve team thing has been on the table for a while. Most FD teams oppose it apparently

I can't imagine many premier division clubs being able to afford a second entry. I also can't imagine many Premier Division supporters paying �10 to go watch their reserve side on a Saturday night. You'd not get many fans travelling to away games either, especially as they could well be on the same day as the teams home games.

If the participation fee was reduced, or abolished, and City could charge �5 entry into Bishopstown on Saturday nights, and all Premier games were to be played Fridays and first games Saturdays then maybe there could be interest. Perhaps a combined season ticket - say for example �170 euro for the Premier Division, �70 euro for the first division or �200 for both teams - could help.

**El-Pietro** · 20/09/2012, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

Ok - I stand corrected. Good to see they've devoted a few minutes to the issue. However, Dan McD's indo piece also suggests that it mightn't be supported by premier teams either.

It's clear from the articles that they're winging it on other teams coming in - "We'll just have to wait and see" as per the Times article. Did they even notice that there was only 11 teams for much of this season, to base their thinking that a 12 team premier is best? Mind you, I guess mons going belly up helped with their attendance increase stat.

Our promotion hasn't hurt it either - they say Premier attendances are up, but gloss over the reduced attendance in the first. Has the overall gone up at all?

**Dodge** · 20/09/2012, 11:16 AM

The difference between the A league reserve team, and these Reserve teams is that the Premier clubs 9at least initially) were forced to have an A side, whereas this would be voluntary. I've no idea what would happen if, say, Cork were relegated. Would that reserve team collapse?

The issue of pricing has to be looked at alright

**bluewhitearmy** · 20/09/2012, 11:47 AM

It was some of the prem teams that brought it up not the FAI so clearly some would support it.

Been told too that Tralee and Cobh have stated an interest i trying again.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 20/09/2012, 11:52 AM

I've never been so desperate for Limerick to escape from this mess.

**El-Pietro** · 20/09/2012, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

The difference between the A league reserve team, and these Reserve teams is that the Premier clubs 9at least initially) were forced to have an A side, whereas this would be voluntary. I've no idea what would happen if, say, Cork were relegated. Would that reserve team collapse?

The issue of pricing has to be looked at alright

what if a team got relegated and their reserves got promoted?

**NeverFeltBetter** · 20/09/2012, 12:06 PM

Reserves can't get promoted under these kind of systems, so they'd probably cease to exist.

**Jofspring** · 20/09/2012, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Reserves can't get promoted under these kind of systems, so they'd probably cease to exist.

Meaning they would need to find a replacement. Sounds like it could be very messy year to year.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 20/09/2012, 12:51 PM

Well, in that specific situation I assume the replacement is the relegated parent club, no?

**adamd164** · 20/09/2012, 12:55 PM

I don't see how anyone can expect the FAI to have time to plan long term strategies for the league structure when they're busy releasing urgent statements regarding how many caps Damien Duff officially got for Ireland.

http://www.fai.ie/international/senior-men/102762.html

**Jofspring** · 20/09/2012, 1:01 PM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Well, in that specific situation I assume the replacement is the relegated parent club, no?

But let's say cork go down and Finn harps get promoted. That means two teams went out of the first division, cork reserves(can't exist) and harps(champions) but only one team came down, cork first team.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 20/09/2012, 1:09 PM

I see your point.

**Guitd** · 20/09/2012, 2:03 PM

Athlone dont seem to be too happy about new league structure going forward and with some of the "sub standard clubs involved in LOI" here--http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/s...town-chairman/

**bluewhitearmy** · 20/09/2012, 2:16 PM

Originally Posted by Guitd

Athlone dont seem to be too happy about new league structure going forward and with some of the "sub standard clubs involved in LOI" here--http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/s...town-chairman/

Just from that article it says "and to adhere to UEFA directives, they need two divisions "surely people cant blame the FAI for sticking to what Uefa say if that is true.

**Dodge** · 20/09/2012, 2:27 PM

Dunno if thats true. He's wrong about the co-efficient though

**Sam_Heggy** · 20/09/2012, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by bluewhitearmy

Just from that article it says "and to adhere to UEFA directives, they need two divisions "surely people cant blame the FAI for sticking to what Uefa say if that is true.

So why even mention a single tier division in the first place?

It should never have been offered as an alternative option if this was the case.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 20/09/2012, 2:47 PM

There must be some UEFA leagues that operate with just one tier.

Edit: I don't even know where to look to confirm/deny that UEFA has such a rule. Here it says they are "commited" to a promotion/relegation model: http://www.uefa.com/uefa/elevenvalues/index.html

**Trainee** · 20/09/2012, 2:53 PM

Originally Posted by bluewhitearmy

Just from that article it says "and to adhere to UEFA directives, they need two divisions "surely people cant blame the FAI for sticking to what Uefa say if that is true.

Surely if Uefa say we need 2 divisions,they would say whats the Min numbers of teams in the league to be counted, If they do I wounder would the First div this 7 teams count as a league, I am nearly sure I heard that to be counted as a league by UEFA you must have a min of 10 teams in the league (maybe thats just for Premier div)

**bluewhitearmy** · 20/09/2012, 2:54 PM

Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy

So why even mention a single tier division in the first place?

It should never have been offered as an alternative option if this was the case.

Did the FAI offer it though? Or was it just clubs asking for it?

Ive no idea of the ins and outs of it i have heard a few things from people at different clubs though. I just found it strange that that fella from Athlone seems to give a reason against what he wants in an interview.