Linfield pulled out cos they're sh*te and aren't used to getting brushed aside. Plus the money guaranteed to teams for entering the competition was slashed.
Linfield pulled out cos they're sh*te and aren't used to getting brushed aside. Plus the money guaranteed to teams for entering the competition was slashed.
Met a Cliftonville fan yesterday. Told him I was a bit surprised that they left the SSC, especially when it was handy money. His answer was 'we don't need the money'. Take from that what ya want!
Manager: Fergal, have you your boots with ya?
Fergal: Ya, I have them here.
Manager: Ah good stuff, well give them to this man so, he forgot his!
No ambition!
Both semi final first legs live on Setanta Sports next week.
The number of fixtures was only one of several issues.
Yes, all of that.
Prize money and profile? The competition has little or no profile in the North and the money has reduced so dramatically that it hardly compensates the cost of putting on a game and/or the cost of an away fixture.
We played Rovers at 3pm on a free Satuday. Hardly evidence of a lame excuse.
Foot dragging? More like a slow crawl backwards!
How much could it possibly cost to drive an hour and a half down the M1 on a Monday evening? Ballinamallard's chairman said the costs involved were negligible. If the money wasn't big enough, just say so, but don't be claiming it's some sort of burden for a football team to be playing football matches.
I still don't buy the argument over reduced prize money from Linfield and Cliftonville, it's still revenue. Also taking into account that the total for IL Prem from Danske Bank for their first season was only £80k (stg) this is not for the winners, this was the total prize pot, it's not like the domestic scene is well funded.
As for travel, there is no IL Prem side in Derry, about as far west as you can go, none in Newry as far south, although Warrenpoint are playing matches between their home and Dungannon, so the majority of other travel for games must be within a 50 mile radius.
Excuses excuses.
Last edited by oriel; 21/03/2014 at 12:29 PM.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), first Irish club to win points in a group stage in Europe (2016).
€4,500 isn't that much revenue at all. Look at the crowds the IL teams have gotten this year. They could all be losing money opening up their grounds for the home games. Add in costs of the away game and other costs associated with the Setanta (everything from programmes to squad numbers etc) and it's not just a question of revenue
It's a question of is the revenue enough to justify all the hassle, when the maximum they'll receive is €4,500 (as LOI sides expect to reach final).
Linfield/Cliftonville think no, the rest think yes. I don't agree with them pulling out but at the very least can understand their POV
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
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That's incredible the total prize fund for the IL is £80k and I thought what the FAI was offering was rubbish!
£80K stg was the total figure that Dankse Bank put in 2 years ago to match what Carling had contributed, so unless its gone up significantly in one season, I would agree its a very modest figure.
Linfield get a payment from IFA for the use of Windsor (much to the annoyance of the rest) and a lot of clubs especially the Belfast ones have thriving social clubs that contribute to the football clubs, but the overall the sponsorhip payment does sound very low.
It was a real shame that Linfield and Cliftonville didnt take part, and I wonder will they re-consider this for next season, if they dont the chances of another all LOI semi final would be high, and I cant see Setanta increasing the sponsorship, so the chances are they wont take part.
I take Dodge's point above though.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), first Irish club to win points in a group stage in Europe (2016).
Ballinamallard would have a very small wage cost, so it would cost them relatively little to have them play an extra match or two. Also, I'm not sure what their players do for a living, but were they forced to use up holidays to make the away match? Did they do this as a one of gesture? Cliftonville have been playing football since mid July and there are only so many occasions when you can ask favours from employers without have to fork out compensation. The money on offer, 4,500 euro, Would hardly cover the additional wages, bonuses and expenses. Also as has been seen, these games do not attract any significant support which would help offset the costs.
However, our focus was/is on winning our league. The risk on our players was not worth it imo.
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