What could/should the FAI do for the league?

[pineapple stu]

I think the bus comment was meant slightly tongue in cheek in fairness! Club buses would be remarkably inefficient compared to using bus companies

[Eminence Grise]

Spoilsport.

I was waiting for a Dundalk fan to observe that if Cork City spent €500k they might get a coach that goes forward in Europe!

[ArFella]

Spoilsport.

I was waiting for a Dundalk fan to observe that if Cork City spent €500k they might get a coach that goes forward in Europe!

They already have team bus for Europe, they usually park it in front of their goal :P

[Real ale Madrid]

They already have team bus for Europe, they usually park it in front of their goal :P

Well played.

[pineapple stu]

Spoilsport.

I was waiting for a Dundalk fan to observe that if Cork City spent €500k they might get a coach that goes forward in Europe!

Alas, to quote Monty Python, I'm a chartered accountant, and consequently too boring to be of interest...

[Eminence Grise]

It's fun to charter an accountant
And sail the wide accountancy,
To find, explore the funds offshore
And skirt the shores of bankruptcy.
It can be manly in insurance -
We'll up your premium semi-annually.
It's all tax deductible,
We're fairly incorruptible,
We're sailing on the wide accountancy.

[gufcfan]

no reason why our guys could not do their psv licence along with their coaching badges.

We want the league to be more professional in attitude, not less.

[legendz]

Are the FAI still on track for being debt free by 2020?

[EatYerGreens]

Are the FAI still on track for being debt free by 2020?

Yes. But they meant 2020 in the Islamic calendar, not the Gregorian one.

It's currently 1437 AH for Muslims, not 2018 AD.

[Kingdom]

Big difference between 200k and 500k! - Anyway I reckon you could pick up a good quality bus 2-3 years old for around 80,000k if you bought more than one. If you had a depot of 10 buses controlled by the FAI and sent out as required each weekend. You would be talking about an initial investment of approx 1m in the league, and a rolling investment of approx 100k per year to invest in upkeep of stock,depreciation etc. Some sort of central investment in things like this would be a great start from the FAI. Considering JD's salary is 400k per year its hardly groundbreaking stuff.

I think it's a super idea. I really do. Plus you wouldn't be buying the coaches surely, isn't that what fleet management is about? And it doesn't have to be a LOI exclusive use initiative either. The SFAI runs inter-league comps for 12s 13s 14s and 15s. I know for 3 of our games this year we had to rent coaches separately, no reason the "Pats" bus for example couldn't be used by the SDFL for their Sat/Sun games during season either.

There's the possibility also of using these buses midweek too to offset the cost. With a decent livery (I'm thinking of some of the Leinster rugby adorned buses I see around Dublin), it adds to the promotion value of the product.

[CorribsideSteve]

Are the FAI still on track for being debt free by 2020?

[Kingdom]

I don't like this comment thrown out by a few people of "would X league have an interest in joining up?".

They shouldn't be asked. They should be told.

The FAI are the governing body of all football in Ireland. They should be setting out the rules, regulations, and running order of football across the country.

The problem is, many of the FAI directors come from these junior leagues and they've no interest in progression themselves.

It's time they took football in Ireland by the balls and enforced a proper pyramid system.

Agree totally Nigel. If they've the balls to do it to the schoolboy clubs, then surely they'll have the balls to do it to the Intermediate clubs.

[EAFC_rdfl]

I think it's a super idea. I really do. Plus you wouldn't be buying the coaches surely, isn't that what fleet management is about? And it doesn't have to be a LOI exclusive use initiative either. The SFAI runs inter-league comps for 12s 13s 14s and 15s. I know for 3 of our games this year we had to rent coaches separately, no reason the "Pats" bus for example couldn't be used by the SDFL for their Sat/Sun games during season either.

There's the possibility also of using these buses midweek too to offset the cost. With a decent livery (I'm thinking of some of the Leinster rugby adorned buses I see around Dublin), it adds to the promotion value of the product.

Roscommon GAA have done this - they have a coach the same size as Bus Eireann/Citylink intercity buses. It's decked out in their colours and I passed it on the motorway a few weeks ago midweek, with a fleet of cars following with flags on show. Obviously bringing an underage team (county or club) somewhere.

[Kingdom]

Roscommon GAA have done this - they have a coach the same size as Bus Eireann/Citylink intercity buses. It's decked out in their colours and I passed it on the motorway a few weeks ago midweek, with a fleet of cars following with flags on show. Obviously bringing an underage team (county or club) somewhere.

I knew I'd seen an inter-county side do it. They have the CR logo all over it I think.

[marinobohs]

I think it's a super idea. I really do. Plus you wouldn't be buying the coaches surely, isn't that what fleet management is about? And it doesn't have to be a LOI exclusive use initiative either. The SFAI runs inter-league comps for 12s 13s 14s and 15s. I know for 3 of our games this year we had to rent coaches separately, no reason the "Pats" bus for example couldn't be used by the SDFL for their Sat/Sun games during season either.

There's the possibility also of using these buses midweek too to offset the cost. With a decent livery (I'm thinking of some of the Leinster rugby adorned buses I see around Dublin), it adds to the promotion value of the product.

...and brings a whole new meaning to 'the coach driving the team on'

[EatYerGreens]

Roscommon GAA have done this - they have a coach the same size as Bus Eireann/Citylink intercity buses. It's decked out in their colours and I passed it on the motorway a few weeks ago midweek, with a fleet of cars following with flags on show. Obviously bringing an underage team (county or club) somewhere.

It's easy to afford a fancy bus when you don't have to pay anyone for doing anything in your organisation. I'm surprised they don't have county limousines.

[Eminence Grise]

I'm a Rossie. My Dad has two Limousines. But mainly Herefords and the odd Charolais.

Clearly the source of my beef with the FAI.

[Ezeikial]

I think it's a super idea. I really do. Plus you wouldn't be buying the coaches surely, isn't that what fleet management is about? And it doesn't have to be a LOI exclusive use initiative either. The SFAI runs inter-league comps for 12s 13s 14s and 15s. I know for 3 of our games this year we had to rent coaches separately, no reason the "Pats" bus for example couldn't be used by the SDFL for their Sat/Sun games during season either.

There's the possibility also of using these buses midweek too to offset the cost. With a decent livery (I'm thinking of some of the Leinster rugby adorned buses I see around Dublin), it adds to the promotion value of the product.

This is where a really good idea falls apart

We would demand the right to veto who else uses our bus - SFAI how are you? Biddies to bingo would be the next thing

[outspoken]

Only way forward is a breakaway. An independent body running the League (just like how the FA and Premier League are separate bodies in the UK) and allow that body to source a proper sponsorship deal which would increase prize money. Strike a proper TV deal to again increase prize money and any games not covered on TV allow the clubs to stream them online and make revenue off it.

[pineapple stu]

Strike a proper TV deal? You make it sound so easy...

The reality is the clubs need the FAI and their cash and their tie-in with a national team the networks are (for now) interested in. And the FAI need the clubs, but don't realise it yet.

A breakaway is in no-one's interest, and is not really feasible anyway