Interesting stat on Irish fans watching premiership games

**nigel-harps1954** · 22/10/2012, 8:23 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Damien Duff playing in the LOI could be the major shot in the arm the league needs to get exposure and more people coming to games, a la David Beckham over here in the MLS

If someone was able to pay his wages it would be a great idea alright.

**Colbert Report** · 22/10/2012, 8:28 PM

He told Ken Early a couple of months ago that he'd "100% finish his career in the LOI".

**Charlie Darwin** · 22/10/2012, 9:01 PM

But not for Shamrock Rovers, which means he'd have to do it for peanuts. Not that Rovers pay much more than that anyway.

**dong** · 22/10/2012, 9:28 PM

He said he wouldnt but I reckon that was tongue in cheek though Charlie. I'd say he'll end up in Tallaght alright.
Hes no Gary Twigg though.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 22/10/2012, 9:46 PM

Rovers....or Limerick. Heh heh heh.

Yeah, I wish.

**Dodge** · 23/10/2012, 9:41 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

How is TV money distributed - equally regardless of appearances?

There is no TV money. LOI clubs don't receive any monies from RTE or Setanta, both of whom show their games live

**Bungle** · 23/10/2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

There is no TV money. LOI clubs don't receive any monies from RTE or Setanta, both of whom show their games live

That is absolutely crazy isn't it. If they were getting this money, it would mean that they could grow as a club, or at worst be able to stay off administration. Does the FAI get this money?

**Acornvilla** · 23/10/2012, 10:23 AM

RTE probably lose money off broadcasting the games if anything, I really can't see how the FAI could profit.

**Dodge** · 23/10/2012, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Acornvilla

RTE probably lose money off broadcasting the games if anything, I really can't see how the FAI could profit.

I'm sure the cost of Outside Broadcasts are exhorbitant, but whatever about RTE, Setanta clearly wouldn't cover a sport they think they'd lose money on. I'm sure the FAI do give the rights for nothing though.

**Bungle** · 23/10/2012, 11:11 AM

I can't help but think that a united Irish/Scottish league is the way forward (it would be great to have a Welsh presence as well but with Cardiff and Swansea playing at a high level in England, it would be unlikely that they would come on board.

I know it has been discussed on here before, but it makes sense and I think it would attract far greater investment in the game and the league would be able to attract far better players, which would increase attendances. Dublin, Glasgow, Belfast and Edinburgh are all big cities and Aberdeen, Dundee, Cork, Limerick and Derry could easily support decent and profitable clubs in such a league. It might also lead to far greater interest and attendances for already very well run clubs like Sligo. Greater incomes would also lead to more money being spent on academies and many of our best talents might make the decision to stay in Ireland, rather than go to England at 15 or 16.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 23/10/2012, 11:22 AM

Sad to admit it, but ultimately the product and facilities aren't as good as Eng.or Scotland which is why so many go...
That and relatively cheap travel.

Personally, it's down to the individual. Also more people in Ireland are interested IN GAA, rugby and horse-racing. Major cultural obstacles for domestic soccer.

**Dodge** · 23/10/2012, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Personally, it's down to the individual. Also more people in Ireland are interested IN GAA, rugby and horse-racing. Major cultural obstacles for domestic soccer.

This is complete BS. Football is by far and away the biggest sport. The article is about thousands of folks who travel abroad to watch football. It has NOTHING to do with GAA, rugby or horse racing.

Sad to admit it, but ultimately the product and facilities aren't as good as Eng.or Scotland which is why so many go...

Well d'uh!

The argument is that it'll never change, and Irish football (Irish football, not the League of ireland) will never prosper until its backed by Irish people. There can be no real argument about that tbh. Until there's money in the irish game for better facilities and coaching, Irish football will continue to be at the mercy of the British system that can't produce its own players (never mind ours)

And I'll say again, I've no issue with anybody who travels to England to watch games. Personal choice

**peadar1987** · 23/10/2012, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Bungle

I can't help but think that a united Irish/Scottish league is the way forward (it would be great to have a Welsh presence as well but with Cardiff and Swansea playing at a high level in England, it would be unlikely that they would come on board.

I know it has been discussed on here before, but it makes sense and I think it would attract far greater investment in the game and the league would be able to attract far better players, which would increase attendances. Dublin, Glasgow, Belfast and Edinburgh are all big cities and Aberdeen, Dundee, Cork, Limerick and Derry could easily support decent and profitable clubs in such a league. It might also lead to far greater interest and attendances for already very well run clubs like Sligo. Greater incomes would also lead to more money being spent on academies and many of our best talents might make the decision to stay in Ireland, rather than go to England at 15 or 16.

I think the idea has the potential to be a winner for all concerned in the long run, but the top Scottish clubs would have to be prepared to take a hit for 10 or 15 years, and I don't think that's going to happen.

I think a joint Irish/NI/Scottish cup would be a good shout though. Provided a good idea didn't get absolutely mangled like happened with the Celtic Nations Cup (How many did they really think were going to show up for NI v Wales in Lansdowne?!). You'd make enough money to run the club for a season with just one draw against Celtic or Rangers, and from their point of view, I doubt it really matters whether they're playing Annan Athletic or St. Pat's Athletic.

**Bungle** · 23/10/2012, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

I think the idea has the potential to be a winner for all concerned in the long run, but the top Scottish clubs would have to be prepared to take a hit for 10 or 15 years, and I don't think that's going to happen.

I think a joint Irish/NI/Scottish cup would be a good shout though. Provided a good idea didn't get absolutely mangled like happened with the Celtic Nations Cup (How many did they really think were going to show up for NI v Wales in Lansdowne?!). You'd make enough money to run the club for a season with just one draw against Celtic or Rangers, and from their point of view, I doubt it really matters whether they're playing Annan Athletic or St. Pat's Athletic.

Good shout about the cup games and I agree that we would stand to gain more in the short term than the Scots, though it could be argued that the Scottish league is in rapid decline, so it might be as welcome for them as for us.

A major obstacle would be how the league would be drawn up. I would envision a league like the Magnier's League in rugby. However, I could see that being a source of contention. It might need clubs to amalgamete or regional clubs to be formed i.e a Dublin North team and a Dublin South team or a Sligo/Galway (Connaught team). I think this would be very painful for fans of such clubs in many ways, but it might be the best thing in the long run for them to thrive and for football in this country to grow.

**Dodge** · 23/10/2012, 11:47 AM

This had been debated on here for years.

**osarusan** · 23/10/2012, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Bungle

A major obstacle would be how the league would be drawn up. I would envision a league like the Magnier's League in rugby. However, I could see that being a source of contention. It might need clubs to amalgamete or regional clubs to be formed i.e a Dublin North team and a Dublin South team or a Sligo/Galway (Connaught team). I think this would be very painful for fans of such clubs in many ways, but it might be the best thing in the long run for them to thrive and for football in this country to grow.

As long as you view club football only from the perspective of how it can improve the quality of the Irish team at international level, you miss the point LOI fans make.

A better Irish senior team shoud be a (most welcome) byproduct of a successful domestic league, not the aim of it.

**Junior** · 23/10/2012, 11:49 AM

Im not sure teams in the 4th tier of Scottish football would be invited in to such a competition would they?

In all seriousness though, Celtic may skew such a competition. Outside of Celtic in the SPL the other sides would be more evenly matched in terms of facilties, standard of football, fan base etc... IMO the SPL sides would have the advantage of course but the gap wouldnt be so big that results could quite regularly go either way - More competitive the more likely it would be a success.

**Charlie Darwin** · 23/10/2012, 2:24 PM

An Irish-Scottish league is a non-runner for so many, many reasons. The only reason the Scottish league is half-way viable to begin with is because of Celtic and the fact most of the clubs are bunched together in Glasgow.

**Junior** · 23/10/2012, 3:41 PM

Im not sure the proximity of clubs being based in or around Glasgow has any major influence in the success - what do you mean by that?

Obviously Celtic standout because of the size of the club, finances, infrastructure, squad etc (compared to the other competing teams).... and what that brings to the SPL

However just looking at this years SPL's clubs (and I dont think it has varied that much over the years) the split is 50/50 in terms of those within an hour of Glasgow and those outside. I've been to plenty of matches at Celtic Park where Motherwell, Hibs, Killie etc.. have brought bugger all fans despite CP being on their doorstep, however Aberdeen who have practically the furthest to travel would probably have the most decent away support (Perhaps Hearts excepted).

Aberdeen/Inverness would be in the top 3 away games for celtic fans to go to I'd guess.

I guess its possible attendances would be poorer for the smaller clubs but how far down could they go really?

Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Dundee Utd, St Johnstone, Ross County > 1hr from Glasgow

Hibs, Hearts, Killie, St Mirren, Motherwell < 1 hr from Glasgow

**Charlie Darwin** · 23/10/2012, 3:54 PM

Success? I said it makes the league half-way viable.

How many Motherwell fans do you expect to make the trek to Ireland for a game, compared to how many would be content to nip across for a game with St Mirren? It's a complete dreamland. An Irish-Scottish league might be viable with a big TV deal but in terms of crowds it would be mutally assured destruction. Even the largest distances fans have to travel in Scotland aren't much longer than a trip from Dublin to Galway.

Granted, those clubs don't have massive fanbases as you've noted and many still can't be arsed to make the trip, but nonetheless those attendances are what keep the league going in light of paltry TV money.