Originally Posted by Bald Student
Quote
NLSA hits out at League proposals
The National League Supporters Association would like to put on record the widespread opposition of fans to the recent proposals regarding the structure of the League for the 2006 season.
The new proposal suggested dividing the league into two regions of eleven teams; 6 Premier Division teams and 5 First Divison sides split along a North-South axis.
The top four teams in each group were then to proceed to a playoff for the League title. The other 7 sides in each group would play off in a second tier. Media reports suggest this was rejected by club representatives and the NLSA welcome the fact that this idea has been dismissed.
The group met over the weekend and many fans expressed anger both at the proposal and the fact that the structure of the 2006 season was still up for discussion, despite promotion and relegation issues having been settled.
To undertake any change to next season's format would make a mockery of relegation and promotion and many fans who paid to attend the relegation playoff between Shamrock Rovers and Dublin City could feel that they sold a pup with regards the importance of the game.
The discussion document presented last week appears to have been poorly thought out and creates many more problems than it solves. NLSA members believe that prosposals such as last week's are being floated in order to ensure implementation of the Genesis report by stealth.
The league format suggested by Genesis for 2007 also appears to contain several major flaws. The NLSA have outlined these in a response forwarded to the consultants.
One of the major issues regarding Genesis' proposals include the need for eight new teams for the reshaped First Divison and there appears to have been no substantive research regarding possible new entrants for the 2007 season.
The NLSA believe that there is little room for the introduction of new teams to the top tiers of domestic football. For instance, the Kerry League who participate in the U-21 league opted not to compete in last season's League Cup due to the expense involved. It appears naieve to believe that support exists for the introduction of eight new teams in little over a year's time.
However the format suggested by Genesis appear much more practical when compared to the ludricous proposals of last week. It would appear that the League is attempting the secure the seamless introduction of Genesis by marketing it as the "only alternative".
The NLSA believe that further consultation must take place as regards a number of issues raised by Genesis, not least the League format. The NLSA will be pushing for meetings with League officials regarding this matter.
Bookmarks