A 7-team league First Division Next Year

[nigel-harps1954]

Will a Shamrock Rovers reserve team really attract any crowds of around 500 people a game to be able to sustain this team?
Will the games be played in Tallaght?

[Bawnville Hoop]

Will a Shamrock Rovers reserve team really attract any crowds of around 500 people a game to be able to sustain this team?
Will the games be played in Tallaght?

The U19's currently play Saturdays at 2pm in Tallaght Stadium. I would imagine Saturday night in Tallaght will now be the fixed date.

I honestly think they will attract that, when they were in the A championship there were ~200 at the games and now being the first division I can see that figure doubling.

[nigel-harps1954]

I honestly think they will attract that, when they were in the A championship there were ~200 at the games and now being the first division I can see that figure doubling.

I'm not so sure. Shamrock Rovers first team struggled to get much more than 500 at times in the First Division.

[Dodge]

I honestly think they will attract that, when they were in the A championship there were ~200 at the games and now being the first division I can see that figure doubling.

Those games were free. Will the new B team charge in?

[Bawnville Hoop]

I'm not so sure. Shamrock Rovers first team struggled to get much more than 500 at times in the First Division.

Those games were free. Will the new B team charge in?

I can see if being free for members and possibly season ticket holders. Charge should be no more than 5 euro. The goal is not to make money on gates but rather develop players.

If the above is in place I can see such a crowd sustainable.

[nigel-harps1954]

Isn't there a minimum admission fee for League of Ireland football?

[Bawnville Hoop]

Isn't there a minimum admission fee for League of Ireland football?

Only one I can think of is Cup games having to match domestic prices. I can see the FAI making exceptions for such a team even if the minimum was set to 10 euros.

[nigel-harps1954]

Only one I can think of is Cup games having to match domestic prices. I can see the FAI making exceptions for such a team even if the minimum was set to 10 euros.

I don't care if it's a reserve team or not, this team should not be allowed to bend any rules. They should be treated the exact same as any other club in the league.
Not complaining, I wouldn't mind only having to pay a fiver into a game, but if this team are allowed exceptions to rules, then it'll descend into all sorts of a farce.

[oriel]

Isn't there a minimum admission fee for League of Ireland football?

No idea but Dundalk have come up with a maximum one for 2014.

[Mr A]

You have to laugh at the logic:

Problem: Two teams in Galway is too many.
Solution: Replace them with a new entity, make up the shortfall by brining in a new team from an existing club.

Real progress there.

[galwayhoop]

If the choice is between 7 teams or having 8 or more by including 'B' sides then I'd be voting for 'B' sides every time.

However, as said above about the Spanish clubs, the B team should be treated as a separate club with movement only through transfers in the designated windows. Anything else is an absolute jokeshop.

[harps1954]

Isn't there a minimum admission fee for League of Ireland football?

There is indeed. It's in the Participation Agreement iirc.

Also, couple of questions:

1) Does this 'new' team have to pay the First Division League entry fee (€10k) - if not, why do other FD clubs have to pay it. Also, if not, was this option given to other 'new' clubs who may have expressed an interest in joining the league?

2) If a player is sent off for Shams first-team on a Friday night, can he serve his suspension in the 'B' team game on the following night if movement is allowed freely between one team and another? If he can't serve his suspension in the 'B' team game, does that mean he can play in the 'B' team game while he serves his suspensions. If it's a 3 game ban, what games does it cover - first team, B team? Lets say a players gets a three game ban for violent conduct playing for Rovers first-team in a game against Bohs. Where does he serve his suspension? It is three first team games? Does that mean that he can play for the 'B' team during this three game ban? Or does it mean it's a combination of the two games - which could be two first-team and one 'B' team or vice versa - or does it mean he can't play for either team until he serves the ban in three first team games.

3) If two teams was too many for the City of Galway, who are two teams representing the one club any better?

4) If what is being reported is true, why will Rovers will allowed to break one of the Licensing rules and not have to play a team in the u-19 league?

I agree with one of the posters above - the 'new' team should be seen as a stand alone club (i.e. players are registered for this club and can only move during the transfer window). Surely if Rovers are saying that this team is for developing players, then use the developing players in it. It shouldn't be used as a means to give players returning from injury or suspension some match practice - they same option isn't available to other clubs that just have a first-team and u-19 team.

[NeverFeltBetter]

A really pitiful solution to the First Division problem.

[deiseach]

The article in the Indo about this story could be a Rovers press release. I'm not saying they should pour scorn on the idea, but a little more interrogation would have been nice.

[bluewhitearmy]

A really pitiful solution to the First Division problem.

If there was no other teams willing to come in what could they have done other then leave it at 7?

[eitoof]

The article in the Indo about this story could be a Rovers press release. I'm not saying they should pour scorn on the idea, but a little more interrogation would have been nice.

From the article "What still needs to be clarified, however, is the precise number of players who are allowed to move from the first-team to the second XI on any given weekend."

The answer to that should be zero.

[SkStu]

This is outrageous. Ha! So shady how it's only being revealed now and in this way.

Reserve teams are a viable option for a small league like ours but it needs to be thought out properly, based on transparency of criteria and process so open to all. When will we ever learn? Wow.

[deiseach]

If there was no other teams willing to come in what could they have done other then leave it at 7?

We have a 12 team division and a 7 team division, and the only solution to the lack of teams in the latter is to carve out a new team from one of the 12? If this team were genuinely autonomous of Shamrock Rovers, i.e. no switching panels within the season and the same rules of membership that apply to the other First Division teams applying to Rovers B, then I could see it working. But you just know that there will be all manner of sweet fudge made to allow this to happen, and that's why it's pitiful.

[Dalymountrower]

Only one I can think of is Cup games having to match domestic prices. I can see the FAI making exceptions for such a team even if the minimum was set to 10 euros.

Of course the FAI will make an exception for you. You are both well matched.

My cup of dislike for your club runneth over,

[Bawnville Hoop]

Flora Tallinn have 3 teams throughout the Estonian leagues. The players move to and from, this is obviously a rule by Uefa set in stone to allow this happen therefore clubs have no exception to Rovers doing this.