PCA League Proposal

**SFC16** · 19/01/2017, 11:02 PM

Just give us a playoff in Divison 1 FFS! Odds would be stacked against the 1st Div team anyway but would generate revenue throughout the season for sure by keeping fans interested.

**Longfordian** · 19/01/2017, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by SFC16

Just give us a playoff in Divison 1 FFS! Odds would be stacked against the 1st Div team anyway but would generate revenue throughout the season for sure by keeping fans interested.

This is the bit that makes least sense, outside of Premier clubs protecting themselves. It wouldn't affect numbers and would at least somewhat mitigate the risk of the First Division being over halfway through the season.

**EatYerGreens** · 20/01/2017, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

Does anyone know the full background to the PCA ?

- When was it set up ?
- Who made it happen, and what was the catalyst ?
- How does it run itself ?

It's right that clubs should have a voice vis-à-vis the FAI, but the PCA seems to be a very imperfect way of going about that.

* Bump *

Anyone able to shed any light on the PCA ? They just seemed to pop up out of nowhere.

**Mr A** · 20/01/2017, 12:05 PM

Looks like it started in 2013.

A bit more detail here: http://www.the42.ie/john-o-sullivan-2091548-May2015/

**fieldofmarkets** · 21/01/2017, 9:49 AM

Have to say that the PCA is a nonsense. So disappointing that the clubs can't manage to organise a fully representative voice. Our league will continue to be in trouble until that first step happens (and many steps after that too obviously).

**ger121** · 21/01/2017, 10:50 AM

The FAI have proven why the Clubs can never run the League themselves. How easily it was for them to divide and conquer, when it came to implementing the two 10 team divisions.

**outspoken** · 21/01/2017, 5:26 PM

Originally Posted by ger121

The FAI have proven why the Clubs can never run the League themselves. How easily it was for them to divide and conquer, when it came to implementing the two 10 team divisions.

100% agree

**brendy_éire** · 23/01/2017, 9:05 AM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

But why are Derry and Pats going for ten teamflight after them rejecting the €5k grant from the FAI?

We weren't given an explanation as to why Derry voted for it, but presumably it comes down to gate receipts. Really short-sighted, IMO. Crowds will fall off when you're playing the same teams (at least) four times a season.
It would also make it less likely that we'll have our derbies against Harps, which are always big crowds.

**Briuk** · 23/01/2017, 6:22 PM

For me its pointless to have a 3 group regionalised first division but its the only way to unify the systems. I am afraid this will only happen the season that 2 first division club go bust at same time it might be this one, next year, the following or in three but it will happen.

The unification is a must if football wants to grow in the country, either summer or winter. You can get a month off in January or in August with both systems for the second division for holidays or pitches.

The FAI needs to look into alternatives to promote this unification, I personally suggest as a first mesaure to play a play-off between the Three winners of MSL LSL and USL to proclaim a "3d league champion" If you give them money for it etc. they will play it. Things like this have to happen and it must be a must to offer this three teams a proposition to play in First Division every single year. Lowering the requirements and working with them.

This has to be a process for a First Division regionalised in to a North and South group with 10 teams in each and lower standard required. There are two ways to get there, Increasing the teams of First Division which seems unlikely or Scrapping it one year to play with MSL, USL and LSL as second division and promoting to it the best teams.

I can see why the FAI suggests now a 10-10. They think if there are 10 teams in the First Division it might be more attractive for other clubs to join so we can go to maybe 10-11 following year 10-12 and then 10-14 and finally 12-12. They are just dreaming.

**EatYerGreens** · 24/01/2017, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by Briuk

For me its pointless to have a 3 group regionalised first division but its the only way to unify the systems. I am afraid this will only happen the season that 2 first division club go bust at same time it might be this one, next year, the following or in three but it will happen.

The unification is a must if football wants to grow in the country, either summer or winter. You can get a month off in January or in August with both systems for the second division for holidays or pitches.

The FAI needs to look into alternatives to promote this unification, I personally suggest as a first mesaure to play a play-off between the Three winners of MSL LSL and USL to proclaim a "3d league champion" If you give them money for it etc. they will play it. Things like this have to happen and it must be a must to offer this three teams a proposition to play in First Division every single year. Lowering the requirements and working with them.

This has to be a process for a First Division regionalised in to a North and South group with 10 teams in each and lower standard required. There are two ways to get there, Increasing the teams of First Division which seems unlikely or Scrapping it one year to play with MSL, USL and LSL as second division and promoting to it the best teams.

I can see why the FAI suggests now a 10-10. They think if there are 10 teams in the First Division it might be more attractive for other clubs to join so we can go to maybe 10-11 following year 10-12 and then 10-14 and finally 12-12. They are just dreaming.

That would suggest there's been some strategic thinking in their league restructuring proposals. Or even some thinking full-stop.

Chances are they just wanted to be seen to do something. The easiest way to increase numbers in the First Division is to put more Premier Division clubs into it, rather than do the hard longer-term task of making it more attractive and viable for non-league clubs to join etc etc. So when the PCA were daft enough to apparently propose the idea it gave the FAI the perfect excuse to make a change that actually does nothing but which they can point to and say they're doing something. Frankly, it's a pathetic way to deal with a First Division with insufficient clubs in it.

**Longfordian** · 25/01/2017, 8:09 AM

Interesting proposal from the First Division clubs mentioned here:

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...for-promotion/

Would certainly make the division interesting. Top three playing off for the promotion slot is the gist of it if people don't want to read the article.

**pineapple stu** · 25/01/2017, 8:11 AM

Is there an FCA now so?

**Longfordian** · 25/01/2017, 8:13 AM

No that's in use by the pretend soldiers. The Alliance of First Division Clubs perhaps?

**nigel-harps1954** · 25/01/2017, 9:01 AM

I hear it's to be called the Yarns of Many Clubs Alliance.

It's fun to stay in the First Division.

**pineapple stu** · 25/01/2017, 9:11 AM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

No that's in use by the pretend soldiers. The Alliance of First Division Clubs perhaps?

The AFC?

Sounds grand, so long as the Asians don't catch wind of it.

**Mr A** · 25/01/2017, 11:08 AM

Good to see the First Division clubs starting to talk at least. The situation some clubs have been put in by this change is despicable.

**SFC16** · 06/02/2017, 3:12 PM

Any update on the first division clubs meetings? The 1st division without a playoff is going to be such a disaster. Long season ahead.

**outspoken** · 06/02/2017, 5:43 PM

Originally Posted by SFC16

Any update on the first division clubs meetings? The 1st division without a playoff is going to be such a disaster. Long season ahead.

I think it's fairly safe to assume at this stage the winner of the league will be going up, no playoffs. I understand wanting to keep the season alive for clubs but it just wouldn't be fair to have the winners play a one off game for promotion