Former players give the opinions on the LOI and other matters.

**pateen** · 15/01/2013, 2:24 PM

While its not very positive and I don’t agree with everything that’s been said, its worth a watch/listen not just for CCFC fans but any LOI fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1r4KSGju3s

**harry crumb** · 15/01/2013, 10:15 PM

Re : George

Sign him up RTÉ

**A face** · 15/01/2013, 10:47 PM

I suppose there is a bit of a disconnect between players and football and what happens in other industries but they are the pitfalls of contracts and contract work. You are paid for a certain period and when you are not under contract then you are not paid. No company will employ you when they don't need you. Personally i think its mad the amount of the work force today are contracting (in most industries), and who don't have the same safe guards as other but that's what is happening, you just have to deal with it. And that's what the players have to deal with.

**Jofspring** · 15/01/2013, 11:02 PM

Didn't watch all of it (first 10 minutes or so) as I didn't have the time but from what I saw most of it was unrealistic. Fair enough it's tough on players when money isn't coming in in the off season but where do they think the clubs would get the money to pay them?

They also say if clubs want better players then they need to offer better wages but once again were are the clubs going to get the money? - the examples they came up with of top clubs who made the League stronger because they spent more money are actually crazy seeing as most of them went bust because of the spending or nearly went out of existence altogether.

The league is just starting to get a little more sustainable with clubs spending more within their means. If more people came out and supported the clubs maybe then the wages would be increased or more money spent on that side of the game but until then it can't happen, end of story. Fans aren't willing to pay more at the gate because the product on display has never been worth more than €15 max.

Clubs are bringing in more young players on smaller wages because it is the smart and viable thing to do and also offers young players the chance to make a name for themselves and secure a decent move abroad if thats what they want. Paying a squad of 22 experienced players high wages is just asking to get you in to trouble and I can't believe they actually argued the point that by paying big wages Cork won the League like it justified it, forgetting Shels, Bohs etc… did the same and were on the brink of being non existent.

Players need to make as much money as possible and that is understandable but if you want to make big money at the end of the day the LOI isn't the place to do it so either move on to another country and try your luck there or accept what the clubs can afford.

I do agree with them though about clubs leaving it late to sort out players although that seems to be happening quicker now. Waiting till after Christmas for pre-season before making them an offer or even contacting players is bad form and leaves a lot of lads unsure of their futures. I think most clubs now (especially to under23's) send out contract renewals at least 60 working days before the end of the current one. If you haven't received a contract offer by then then it is up to yourself to start looking for a new club as soon as possible and the clubs own fault if they lose you for the next season.

**CraftyToePoke** · 16/01/2013, 1:36 AM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

I do agree with them though about clubs leaving it late to sort out players although that seems to be happening quicker now. Waiting till after Christmas for pre-season before making them an offer or even contacting players is bad form and leaves a lot of lads unsure of their futures. I think most clubs now (especially to under23's) send out contract renewals at least 60 working days before the end of the current one. If you haven't received a contract offer by then then it is up to yourself to start looking for a new club as soon as possible and the clubs own fault if they lose you for the next season.

That was the only bit I felt they were credible on as well, to me the rest of it was just O'Halloran seeming to directly contradict the stance he took on each previous matter with his views on the the current topic while O'Callaghan lacked the wherewithal to spot this or ask even one question that might highlight it. Harrington brought nothing of value at all. It was exceptionally poor stuff, and the bit of F.A.I. bashing apart, miles off the mark in general. Harrington seemed to be playing it cute by saying little enough which is fine in a pub maybe, but don't go on a panel with that attitude to a discussion like ...

**Dodge** · 16/01/2013, 9:36 AM

No different from any old farts waffling down the pub. No balance at all.

**Macy** · 16/01/2013, 12:49 PM

No access in work, and no phone, so can't watch the video. However, if they're giving out about season only contracts they need a reality check as to what they actually are in the current climate - they're essentially semi-pro players, rather than fully pro, whatever they might like to be. Admittedly it's harder to get a day job than it might have been a few years ago, but still...

**Only1Rovers** · 16/01/2013, 12:58 PM

Sweet jesus, what the f**k is Greg Halloran doing talking about the league when he admits during the production he has no interest in going to a League of Ireland game, even to see Cork City play. It's attitudes like his that his that would turn anybody off getting involved.

**pateen** · 16/01/2013, 1:04 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

Didn't watch all of it (first 10 minutes or so) as I didn't have the time but from what I saw most of it was unrealistic. Fair enough it's tough on players when money isn't coming in in the off season but where do they think the clubs would get the money to pay them?

They also say if clubs want better players then they need to offer better wages but once again were are the clubs going to get the money? - the examples they came up with of top clubs who made the League stronger because they spent more money are actually crazy seeing as most of them went bust because of the spending or nearly went out of existence altogether.

The league is just starting to get a little more sustainable with clubs spending more within their means. If more people came out and supported the clubs maybe then the wages would be increased or more money spent on that side of the game but until then it can't happen, end of story. Fans aren't willing to pay more at the gate because the product on display has never been worth more than €15 max.

Clubs are bringing in more young players on smaller wages because it is the smart and viable thing to do and also offers young players the chance to make a name for themselves and secure a decent move abroad if thats what they want. Paying a squad of 22 experienced players high wages is just asking to get you in to trouble and I can't believe they actually argued the point that by paying big wages Cork won the League like it justified it, forgetting Shels, Bohs etc… did the same and were on the brink of being non existent.

Players need to make as much money as possible and that is understandable but if you want to make big money at the end of the day the LOI isn't the place to do it so either move on to another country and try your luck there or accept what the clubs can afford.

I do agree with them though about clubs leaving it late to sort out players although that seems to be happening quicker now. Waiting till after Christmas for pre-season before making them an offer or even contacting players is bad form and leaves a lot of lads unsure of their futures. I think most clubs now (especially to under23's) send out contract renewals at least 60 working days before the end of the current one. If you haven't received a contract offer by then then it is up to yourself to start looking for a new club as soon as possible and the clubs own fault if they lose you for the next season.

Have to agree with everything here

**El-Pietro** · 16/01/2013, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by Only1Rovers

Sweet jesus, what the f**k is Greg Halloran doing talking about the league when he admits during the production he has no interest in going to a League of Ireland game, even to see Cork City play. It's attitudes like his that his that would turn anybody off getting involved.

Greg is a knobhead. Glad he doesn't come to our games.

**A face** · 16/01/2013, 8:55 PM

Originally Posted by Only1Rovers

Sweet jesus, what the f**k is Greg Halloran doing talking about the league when he admits during the production he has no interest in going to a League of Ireland game, even to see Cork City play. It's attitudes like his that his that would turn anybody off getting involved.

Greg is a special circumstance to be fair, if it were any other player i'd take that point on board but trust me, this one is different.

**marinobohs** · 18/01/2013, 12:04 PM

Yes indeed, players should obviously be paid 52 weeks a year (at least) and paid what they believe they are worth. Sure look at the amazing shows of loyallty the same players regularly show to our clubs, dont they deserve the very best ?

And sure if a few clubs have to go to the wall.....................

**Lim till i die** · 18/01/2013, 12:40 PM

WARNING!!!!

Link contains George O'Callaghan giving his opinions.

Should be in the thread title to be fair.

**Treaty Gooner** · 18/01/2013, 1:35 PM

Agree, no balance at all. About the FIFPro trip to Norway,O'Callaghan says they should've taken the amount spent on the trip and given it to LOI players out of contract...had to kick the laptop up and down the road to set myself right after that one. What a bunch of ****s.

**bullit** · 18/01/2013, 7:55 PM

Maybe the former players need to take a look at those playing around them

This vvvv

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...b-3357279.html

This vvvv

And of course Eddie Van Boxtel.

There were others of course,names escaping now.....