All-Ireland League Thread

**Nesta99** · 01/02/2020, 8:39 PM

What it does indicate is that LoI and IL are not 'under supported' as is often the attitude (pushed by the FAI too). Both leagues are above the average proportion of a population that goes regularly to games. Sometimes, with this in mind, we can be hard on ourselves in the expectation of bigger average crowds. The point still remains though that bums on seats irrespective of per head of population is what is most relevant. There is potential, especially in LoI, for attendance growth at some clubs due to facilities being under par, but it is only potential and not a guarantee. I'm sure such stats would be considered by the likes of Peak6 if deciding on whether to invest on a new ground rather than improving slowly what is already there.

Have Linfield crowds grown significantly since the redevelopment of Windsor in to a state of the art facility, or Rovers crowds grown in proportion to the increased capacity of a modern facility in Tallaght. The 2 clubs that buck the general trend for me are Bohs and whatever they are doing off the field and Sligo whose crowds dont collapse when not at the top end of the table.

**Nesta99** · 01/02/2020, 8:43 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

Great ramble, but doesn't change the fact.

No it doesnt change the fact either on the relvence of per head of population or that larger attendances are of greater signiicance/benefit regardles of per head of population!

Which would you rather?

**EatYerGreens** · 03/02/2020, 1:35 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

Thanks for pointing out that in many ways the article backs up what I was saying. Crusaders put out an official statement post the 1st Dundalk meeting, that contradicts the fans position as outlined in that article.

I accept your kind apology for your smug presumptious btw

**Mr_Parker** · 03/02/2020, 8:41 PM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

I accept your kind apology for your smug presumptious btw

Nice spin.

**EatYerGreens** · 03/02/2020, 9:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

Nice spin.

At least all this explains the reputation you seem to have on that Irish League Forum on the few times I've had a look there.

**ThirdManRun** · 27/04/2020, 8:53 AM

Finalised format drawn up and delivered to clubs. Difficult to get your head around at first but seems to go some way to address most of the original worries regarding autonomy of the leagues and European places!

http://www.allislandleague.com/

**NeverFeltBetter** · 27/04/2020, 1:33 PM

Plenty to talk about with this "King of the Island" format, but one thing that jumps out: It doesn't appear as if the overall winner of this competition gets a European spot? That doesn't seem right to me.

Don't see much discussion of the second tier either, how will that work?

And you can have all of the Hypercube studies you want, but you're going to have to do better than "it is safe to say that the prize money would be a significant improvement above current levels". Improved how much? And who is paying it? And how is it being split?

**RathfarnhamHoop** · 27/04/2020, 3:41 PM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Plenty to talk about with this "King of the Island" format, but one thing that jumps out: It doesn't appear as if the overall winner of this competition gets a European spot? That doesn't seem right to me.

Don't see much discussion of the second tier either, how will that work?

And you can have all of the Hypercube studies you want, but you're going to have to do better than "it is safe to say that the prize money would be a significant improvement above current levels". Improved how much? And who is paying it? And how is it being split?

Agree on the king of the island bit it's very likely that the winner of it will also win their section but not guaranteed at all.

With regards to the prize money though they say the league going ahead is dependent on getting financial arrangements in place before proceeding that will guarantee the prize money being raised so that statements fair enough really

**redobit** · 27/04/2020, 4:42 PM

Originally Posted by ThirdManRun

Finalised format drawn up and delivered to clubs. Difficult to get your head around at first but seems to go some way to address most of the original worries regarding autonomy of the leagues and European places!

http://www.allislandleague.com/

I always thought an AIL was just pie in the sky. Having watching that I have to say that I do think it is hitting a lot of the right balance that is needed if it was to happen. It has been very well thought out in fairness and somebody has put a huge amount of work into it. Very interesting ideas and in theory could be a runner. Getting the money tied down now would show a real statement of intent and could be the difference between swaying clubs to come on board.

**redobit** · 27/04/2020, 4:57 PM

Similar to NFL too in that there would be a 'divisional' winner in each of the LOI and NIFL (i.e. the Golden Round). Plus a 'superbowl' style title with the King of the Island competition. Im not sure if it will go anywhere to be honest but Id like to think clubs would give it a look over.

**pineapple stu** · 27/04/2020, 5:25 PM

Not the worst of ideas in fairness. I think it's important there's an easy way to unwind if prize money drops below the "required" levels. Agree though that the vagueness on funding makes out very easy to view this as another pie-in-the-sky report/suggestion that will go nowhere.

Makes you wonder if you add up all the money spent on consultants' reports on the league down the years and just spent it all on marketing it instead, where would we be?

**RathfarnhamHoop** · 27/04/2020, 5:36 PM

I must say the more I think about it the more I like the late spring to new years season too. At least when it's cold your team will be playing for something which will motivate people to still go and late march start with maybe a league cup type thing instead of friendlies in February/March with a Paddy's day final might be a good way to start the season

**oriel** · 27/04/2020, 7:18 PM

Yes would be an interesting season that, say 1st April to early Jan. Another plus, it would fill the gap for the next club who qualifies for the EL group stage, as we'll have league games during it to keep competitive, like that's going to happen anytime soon !

Joking aside that was a bit of a pain for us in 2016, last league game end of oct, cup final a week later, with a EL game away to St Petersburg in between, plus another one or two EL group games up to early Dec. I think they had to go to England to get a game, Brentford B away rings a bell.

**Real ale Madrid** · 28/04/2020, 9:34 AM

Originally Posted by ThirdManRun

Finalised format drawn up and delivered to clubs. Difficult to get your head around at first but seems to go some way to address most of the original worries regarding autonomy of the leagues and European places!

http://www.allislandleague.com/

I love it. But then again I would. Split leagues - brilliant. Playoffs - giddy. In theory every team in the LOI Premier and First has the chance to win the overall competition - When can we start!

**EatYerGreens** · 30/04/2020, 4:38 PM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Plenty to talk about with this "King of the Island" format, but one thing that jumps out: It doesn't appear as if the overall winner of this competition gets a European spot? That doesn't seem right to me.

Which league should be expected to sacrifice a European spot for this competition ?

**pineapple stu** · 30/04/2020, 4:39 PM

The league that wins King of the Island I guess.

But the reality is they'll almost certainly by in Europe anyway.

**Nesta99** · 01/05/2020, 1:08 AM

I was hoping that UEFA might, initially at least, offer an additional European slot. Community integration via football.....? Could be a significant success story that could be 'sold' as the benefit of football. One thing though, it was mentioned that UEFA would consider panborder league integration - would this not have opened the way for Glasgows top 2 to move to the EPL?, or even through the tiers of English football. Maybe the EPL are not interested but from a commercial sense it makes sense!?

**sidewayspasser** · 01/05/2020, 7:53 AM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

I was hoping that UEFA might, initially at least, offer an additional European slot.

If UEFA were to offer an additional cross-border slot, I would expect other countries would want something similar. That might require a broader decision from UEFA, not just one tailored to this island. Then you might get for example a King of the Vikings Cup for the northern countries and other cross-border competitions.

**pineapple stu** · 01/05/2020, 7:54 AM

Exactly. So that's why it's not going to happen.

**Nesta99** · 01/05/2020, 9:01 AM

Well there are some mitigating considerations that could explain away a once off - peace and reconciliation isnt the worst excuse, unless the likes of Kosovo and Serbs or the Turks and Cypriots decide to try and cosy up too....