Lads the AIL is an idea worth pursuing but similar to brexit nothing will be agreed till all is agreed. This is complicated stuff 2 associations agreeing to a 3rd party running a league that used to be part of their remit. This will happen eventually on this Island that i have no doubt just get on with it and let us get behind it.
Are you suggesting league regulations would in some way substitute the Licensing process? I really don't see what you are getting at. While important, facilities only are one part of many components. And regardless, that doesn't negate my point in regards to the apparent double standards being operated.
Have a read at the restrictions being imposed on Linfield fans announced today for their game against Dundalk in a couple of weeks. These have gone down like a lead balloon with their supporters and will hardly endear support for an AIL.
http://www.linfieldfc.com/ticketinfo.aspx?id=22261
The future?
It's pretty much the same arrangments that were put in place for the Setanta Cup game we played in Windsor. I have never seen as many riot police at any game Watford v Milwall, for example, included. Way OTT. Be interesting to know if these are Garda reccomendations or internal to Linfield. There wasnt even the slightest hint of hassle for the home leg of that Setanta Cup tie. All that said it was a bit of fun being in a large convoy of coaches heading to Belfast with PSNI outriders stopping traffic etc. Fun but tinted with that fact that it was deemed necessary.
Which there is absolutely no need for. Straight up the M1 to Belfast. Park the buses on the Boucher Road, with a short 3 minute walk into the ground. That route and side of the ground in completely neutral and sterile. Dundalk fans will hardly see a single opposition fan until they are seated in the stand. It is total overkill and I suspect the only reason such escorts will be put in place is to placate Linfield fans in that it would be used as, "well Dundalk fans have to do similar." Last night Cliftonville played at Windsor and had some 800 supporters at the game. People came by car, coach and on foot without any travel restrictions or escorts.
Last edited by Mr_Parker; 30/10/2019 at 11:06 AM.
The coaches were all parked up in a retail park (cant remember which one) and fans were searched for flags etc that would be considered inappropriate (so Tricolours really). Didnt stop the damn flares being smuggled in. It was before Windsor Park was redeveloped so we entered the 'new' stand to the right facing the Kop end via a very narrow passage way that had high fencing and barbed wire. As we got to the ground then itself the entire way in to the stand had a line of police decked out in riot gear - then in contrast was a couple of chippy vans at the back of the stand. All Dundalk fans were in a couple of blocks on the upper tier. Kearns scored a hatrick and looked to really enjoy that - touch of irony now.
Boucher Road is the retail park you reference. However the entrance to the ground from that direction has been transformed. See pic below. I doubt too that the police will be kitted out like in the past as there is now a much softer approach in recent years. As for flags, numerous nationalities were on display last night including the Tricolour. However there is an unwritten agreement amongst clubs here that if such a flag is for purely political display, ie it does not have a club affiliation displayed on it, then normally it is not permitted. The most infuriating thing for visitors to Windsor these days is that you are not allowed to bring your own drinks inside.
That is some transformation as previously it was like being walked in to a remand centre. Tbh I can see why you cant take your own drinks in to the ground (I'm presuming you arent talking about a bags of Super T) as bottles of water are often not water lol.
First of a few videos in previous posts on the All Island league by Lucid's group.
They will serve as a fantastic monument on balls.ie in 15 years time if it never happens!
Last time was neccessary and was a great night, strange experience. It will be the same again
Was the same for all games in Setanta (offical club buses only) although we wer drinking beforehand v Cliftonville amd Coleraine bars at stadium.
Glentoran away pretty sure team had be escourted out ovrr secruity incident.
If Linfield fans made own way to Dundalk, 100% their would be trouble. Every wannabe provo and scumbag be out
Did you not read my previous post about Reds fans at Windsor last night? That is the norm. All Irish League grounds can be accessed by away fans with little or no issues. Few have bars in the vicinity of the away end, and even if they do, people don't gather in them, but rather go straight to games.
However, from what you say, that would not be the norm for many going to Dundalk.
Bookmarks