PCA is nothing really except a lobby group for the want of a better phase at the moment. They were not able to come to a consensus on the format / teams in the league for next year. Labeling it as anything more than that is giving it more clout than it has. No reason why the First Division can't set up something similar and look to merge when the time is right.
A lobby group that either decided on a format change most of the league did not want or else allowed itself to be a patsy for it. A 'lobby group' that is putting forward proposals on how the first division will run when it will not accept those clubs as members.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
I'm seeing a lot of "Better this than nothing", but why does it have to be this or nothing? Why can't it be 20 clubs?
If the membership of the PCA is actively refusing to countenance First Division clubs joining, the FD clubs should absolutely form their own entity, and demand similar recognition.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
I don't entirely disagree with you Mr A but at the end of the day Lobby groups don't make decisions or allow themselves be accountable for anything as they are just lobbying. The PCA has gotten together in an effort to influence change for a variety of issues.
No reason why first Div clubs can't set up something similar - tomorrow. I know Stephen Henderson would rather a soundbite on twitter - but why not actually get together and say hey - we represent the first div clubs - we don't agree with the PCA on this (or these ) issues - here is how we believe, through consensus, what the path forward is.
Last edited by Real ale Madrid; 18/05/2017 at 11:49 AM.
I don't agree with it, but I can see why they did this.
It's impossible to push for change to the number of teams in the Premier Division without it having an impact on the First Division. And as the First Division clubs would pursue their own self-interest (which they're entitled to), it's likely they'd oppose that.
So I can see why the PD clubs would've wanted to exclude them, even if I don't agree with it. The problem in Irish football has always been one of individual teams of groups of teams pushing for small changes that they believe are in their own benefit, rather than all clubs uniting to push consistently for major change for the collective good. The FAI gets let off the hook every time.
EVERY club wants what's best for itself. That's the whole problem. Dundalk are Cork are looking to build on European breakthroughs while Athlone are a basket case getting 100 paying customers in the gate. There is no way both sides have anything close to the same priorities
The PCA argument is that if the league is being decided by clubs that are run ineffectively as junior clubs, then it won't progress
You can argue the rights and wrongs of that all you want but it does have merit. There's no way Dundalk and Athlone should have the same influence on how the league progresses
And having performance on the field decide who are the clubs run best, is as fair a barometer as you can get
I object strongly to the above post.
It's been a few years since Athlone had anything like 100 paying customers.
Any system which gives Denis O'Connor a say while denying it to a whole division is flat out mental.
A system which ignores that the league's primary problem is that it has been contracting (and therefore Athlone's problem is Dundalk's problem) is misguided.
And an organisation whose meetings are by all accounts shambolic, with individuals clearly driving personal rather than club agendas isn't likely to improve anything.
Last edited by Mr A; 22/05/2017 at 4:44 PM.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
Their 'proposal' was accepted as the league's new structure. They are putting together new proposals, including for the first division. They may not have the power, but they at least appear to have influence.Following a proposal from the Premier Clubs Alliance (PCA), the Board of the Football Association of Ireland has ratified the SSE Airtricity League switching to a 10-team, two division structure from the 2018 season.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
The PCA put out a discussion document which the FAI have adopted as gospel.
The FAI haven't a clue so if it goes wrong its all the fault of the clubs & the PCA.
If it goes right then its was a marvellous idea from the chief sleaze himself Delaney.
If you look at the muppets involved in the FAI they wouldn't know a good idea if it bit them on the ass.
Dinosaurs in blazers.
Actually, the FAI have completely ignored the PCA's discussion document. Instead, we're back to going with Conroy.
The PCA is a lobby group really. It does make sense that it can decide who's in its group and not. Bit like the old G14 in that regard.
The problem is (a) with a lobby group for the first time that the FAI seem at least ok with meeting, it'd be nice if they could put forward some decent policies and not be squabbling with each other for once and (b) the FAI are far too incompetent to be able to take on board the suggestions from the lobby group and meld them into their overall big-picture view of the league.
Oh I know.
It'd be nice if they could work together as a Clubs' Union.
But it'd be nicer if the FAI weren't just out to take advantage of that problem.
The split would be nonsense.
I'm not entirely sure that an EL play-off is a good fit for a 10 team league. It might not be a bad idea to trial it however. It could utililise the 3rd Europa League spot for a boost in end of season attendances and get decent publicity in the media at the same time.
https://foot.ie/forums/117-Kerry-FC
A Championship: 4 years - 8 first teams - 0 financially ruined. First Division '14: 7 first teams.
Opportunity lost for new clubs/regions to join the LoI family.
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