FAI Rip off Supporters Clubs...

**Eire06** · 06/05/2005, 4:22 PM

Originally Posted by Troy.McClure

Too right! I think that we should be getting our Club reps to help fight our cause on this one. They have meetings fairly regularly so it should be on the order of business at some stage soon.

Yes it has to be organised..
If we don't this will fall to bits, and we won't solve anything..
The elected club reps can voice all our concerns and issues for us rather that everyone going to the FAI and trying to fight their cause....

**pete** · 06/05/2005, 4:55 PM

Who are the NLSA mentioned in the newspapers today?

**soccerc** · 06/05/2005, 5:14 PM

Press Release of NLSA 6th May 2005

The National League Supporters Associations welcomes moves made by the FAI to enter constructive dialogue regarding the dramatic cut in tickets for its members for the upcoming game against Israel.

The NLSA is comprised of fans of eircom League clubs throughout the country and due to work commitments and the dispersed location of the many members, the group proposed rescheduling the initial talks. The NLSA offered the FAI an alternative time and venue in order to accommodate both parties.

Unfortunately the FAI had other commitments on these dates but the group is in ongoing consultation with the FAI. The NLSA hopes to sit down with the FAI at the earliest opportunity in order to discuss these matters.

Friday, being a work day and also when the majority of eircom League games take place was not an option for the fans.

However, as stakeholders in Irish Football we are and always have been willing to meet with the FAI to discuss a resolution to the satisfaction of all.

Furthermore, the NLSA would like to counter suggestions in the media attributed to FAI sources that it was always the understanding that the ticket allocations were based on whether there were spare seats in the away section.

On 30th August 2004 an email from a senior FAI official circulated to all the individual supporters groups states - "These tickets would then be issued on a block booking and would be available for all future matches including the French and Swiss matches" The Association believes that this constitutes a guarantee from the FAI as regards ticketing for future games.

We would also like to refer to an FAI Press Release of 3rd June 2003 which states - "the FAI will generate greater contact between eircom League fans and the FAI

Establish a �fans forum� to actively involve the fans in the Association�s plans for supporters and to air their views on an ongoing basis

Seek to develop the fans� club to maximise all the areas of support for all our international teams

Commit to examining ticket allocation to increase availability for fans who support football at home including

Allocate certain locations in the ground for eircom League fans

Work with the fans to create a fans� band

Work with interested sponsors to support fans� participation on match days

Aim to create a better experience for everyone involved on match days."

The NLSA believes that their members have fulfilled their obligations as block-bookers over the past two years by taking tickets for all games and now call on the FAI to meet their commitments.

**dcfcsteve** · 06/05/2005, 6:43 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Who are the NLSA mentioned in the newspapers today?

It's just the name currently adopted by the group liaising with the FAI/media over this issue.

The plan moving forwards - once the ticketing issue is resolved - is to come-up with detailed proposals for the structure and aims of a formal fans body, that can then be opened-up to broad discussion amongst anyone who's interested in the concept.

The idea is to create an organisation and aims that we can all sign up to. Everyone involved in supporting National League teams will therefore effectively be the NLSA.

**Superhoops** · 06/05/2005, 7:06 PM

Originally Posted by Bray Head

All Supporters Clubs should highlight this to their own club as well. I know the North terrace tickets are seperate to the football clubs allocation but surely the clubs can speak up for us in Merrion Square.....

It is my understanding that in the early days of Block Booking, the EL clubs were offered as many Block Bookings as they wished to take up. Most took up very few as they were not prepared to commit to their members/ supporters buying the tickets. I also understand that most of the EL clubs have never applied to have their BB allocation increased.

I am not aware of any EL club who actively canvassed their fans for an expression of interest or commitment from their supporters to take up Block Bookings for Ireland games, maybe some did. I do not remember my own club, Bray, doing so, but I may be wrong. I did not pursue this through the club as I have been on the FAI BB scheme since it started in 1989.

If this is correct, I cannot see how the clubs can expect to have any influence in this current matter. I am not trying to 'diss' the efforts of the those involved in this current mess, but I believe the clubs are more to blame than than the FAI in the first place.

**Superhoops** · 06/05/2005, 7:09 PM

Originally Posted by soccerc

On 30th August 2004 an email from a senior FAI official circulated to all the individual supporters groups states - "These tickets would then be issued on a block booking and would be available for all future matches including the French and Swiss matches" The Association believes that this constitutes a guarantee from the FAI as regards ticketing for future games.

The name of this official?

**pete** · 07/05/2005, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

It's just the name currently adopted by the group liaising with the FAI/media over this issue.

Thought so. Better to have a name than just saying a group of supporters.

**pete** · 08/05/2005, 8:48 PM

Good prominent article in the Sunday Business Post today (page 3 i think) with colour picture of irish fans in Paris & lots of NLSA quotes & if i'd been reading as a neutral would be siding with the supporters.

**tiktok** · 09/05/2005, 10:05 AM

It made the News section of the Sunday Tribune (which amazed me), didn't really come down on either side tbh. That's five days in a row it's made some aspect of the media, it'll be tricky to keep it going though

**OneRedArmy** · 09/05/2005, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Superhoops

It is my understanding that in the early days of Block Booking, the EL clubs were offered as many Block Bookings as they wished to take up. Most took up very few as they were not prepared to commit to their members/ supporters buying the tickets. I also understand that most of the EL clubs have never applied to have their BB allocation increased.

I am not aware of any EL club who actively canvassed their fans for an expression of interest or commitment from their supporters to take up Block Bookings for Ireland games, maybe some did. I do not remember my own club, Bray, doing so, but I may be wrong. I did not pursue this through the club as I have been on the FAI BB scheme since it started in 1989.

If this is correct, I cannot see how the clubs can expect to have any influence in this current matter. I am not trying to 'diss' the efforts of the those involved in this current mess, but I believe the clubs are more to blame than than the FAI in the first place.

Important distinction Superhoops, the international ticket scheme was in association with supporters groups, and had nothing to do with the clubs themselves.

So the issue is between the fans groups (represented by the NLSA) and the FAI only.

**tiktok** · 09/05/2005, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Good prominent article in the Sunday Business Post today (page 3 i think) with colour picture of irish fans in Paris & lots of NLSA quotes & if i'd been reading as a neutral would be siding with the supporters.

the article from www.sbpost.ie

Row erupts over World Cup qualifier tickets
08 May 2005 By Maxim Kelly

A row has erupted between eircom League fans and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) over tickets for the upcoming World Cup qualifier matches at Lansdowne Road. The fans have claimed that the FAI reneged on a promise to block book tickets for the home internationals, despite the fact that they have spent �150,000 on tickets over the past year.

They learned last week that the FAI was cutting their seating allocation by 70 per cent for the qualifier against Israel in June, as the Israeli FA has requested its full seating allocation.

�We had an agreement with former FAI chief Fran Rooney in 2003 to block book tickets for home internationals,� said Kevin McDaid of the National League Supporters Association (NLSA).

�The FAI wanted to ensure there would be decent support at friendlies and low-profile games. In return for attending these matches, we would be guaranteed our allocation for the big games.�

FAI officials said that there was no evidence of such an agreement and their understanding is that the ticket allocation depended on spare seats being available in the away section.

�We are working with league supporters regarding difficulties with their allocation and we're working with the Israeli FA to see if they will take all their seats,� said a spokesman for the FAI.

The fans disputed this, pointing to comments made by a senior FAI official in a memo e-mailed last year to supporters' groups.

In the e-mail, the FAI said it wanted to seat the fans in several locations around Lansdowne Road.

�These tickets would then be issued on a block booking and would be available for all future matches, including the French and Swiss matches,� stated the e-mail.

The supporters believe this constitutes a guarantee from the FAI about tickets for future games.

�This was more than a gentleman's agreement made last year and, on several occasions since, various individual fans and fans' representatives were in contact with the FAI to confirm this,� said McDaid.

A meeting between the two parties was cancelled last week. Another meeting is scheduled for today.

The alleged arrangement agreed between the fans and Rooney in 2003 came at a time when the FAI was concerned about the atmosphere at home friendly matches.

At the time, Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr publicly welcomed the arrival of the Eircom League fans.

The supporters have bought 750 tickets for every international game since then, in the belief that a failure to take their seats would lead to the overall allocation being cut in future.

The arrangement has benefited the FAI as it has secured a steady income stream for what are usually ill-attended matches such as those against Canada and China.

�The members of this block booking scheme are the lifeblood of Irish football.

�They are seen week in, week out, supporting the local game at stadia across the country,� said McDaid.

�Yet when the FAI needs to find a few extra tickets, we're the ones who have to suffer. Our support for Irish football over the years now seems to count for nothing.�

**soccerc** · 10/05/2005, 4:59 PM

The Supporters of eircom League clubs who last week received letters from the FAI telling them that their allocation of tickets to Republic of Ireland international games have had them all re-instated following discussions with FAI CEO John Delaney.

In a joint statement the Fai and NLSA (fans grouping) said "The Football Association of Ireland and the National League Supporters Association had a very positive and constructive meeting last night at which a range of issues was discussed including assurances in relation to ticket allocations for International matches.

A Joint Working Group was established which is expected to meet at least four times a year to benefit the game on a domestic and international level.

FAI Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney, said �We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the National League Supporters Association at our International matches and we look forward to building on our relationship with them for the future of the game at national and international level.�

James O�Toole, Chairman of the National League Supporters Association, said � We are very pleased with the outcome of our meeting last night and we look forward to working in partnership with the FAI not only in our own interest but also in the interest of the game at all levels.�

**Saint Tom** · 10/05/2005, 5:08 PM

congrats to all involved

**pete** · 10/05/2005, 5:09 PM

500 tickets appear!

**A face** · 10/05/2005, 5:10 PM

Originally Posted by soccerc

The Supporters of eircom League clubs who last week received letters from the FAI telling them that their allocation of tickets to Republic of Ireland international games have had them all re-instated following discussions with FAI CEO John Delaney.

So the people won ..... Power to the People !!