Eircom League votes on radical revamp

**NY Hoop** · 25/01/2006, 1:17 PM

"Some clubs currently in the Premier Division might not make the cut because they don't have high levels of support, their facilities are not up to standard or they don't have the potential to attract investment."

Bye bye CHF.

We all know this should be decided on the pitch but all depends on how the vote goes sat.

A 10 team premier with a 10 team first all with proper facilities and licensing. One up one down with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th playing against the 9th in the premier in a play off series is the way forward til the All Ireland League.

The above is common sense and didnt need a consultants report!

This is gonna get messy..........

KOH

**Mr A** · 25/01/2006, 1:18 PM

I would welcome the fact that there is to be a line drawn in the sand after which licensing etc is fully implemented. However, to ask the clubs to vote on something when no details have been worked out is just plain stupid. Clubs would have no idea what weight to place on the first team budget for the season and convincing players to sign for a first division club when they may have no chance of getting promoted would be nearly impossible. Why couldn't this proposal have come out months ago with the details being fleshed out now after rigourous debate? This whole thing stinks, and unless clarification can be provided it should be voted down. Delaney already shafted the eL fans over ticketing for Ireland games, he promised a high profile manager then appointed his mate Staunton- why should any of us trust him? As a first step towards a merger, this reeks of incompetence. The suggested criteria are so wooly that the league would inevitably be subject to a barrage of lawsuits from angry clubs.

Like I say, I don't have any great argument with the general thrust of these plans, but if it's going to be done, it HAS to be done right!

**Schumi** · 25/01/2006, 1:39 PM

Originally Posted by higgins

Who said they were not having Promotion and Relegation ?? The newspaper articles contradict themselves don't they ? League standings will come into play and should you finish 1st in the First Division you will be looked at ahead of the 11th and 12th placed Premier Division teams.

Teams still have a lot to play for as if you meet all the criteria for Premier Division and are bottom of the First Division you then have to pray 11 clubs above you don�t fulfil the criteria first. There are still relegation and Promotion but this way its not a guarantee.

With respect that's a bit naive. Do you honestly think that the criteria will be picked first and then whatever 12 clubs meet them will be in the premier? It's obvious that the 12 clubs will be picked first and then the criteria decided to fit them.

**Dodge** · 25/01/2006, 1:44 PM

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

I am also concerned that this secret selection policy for next year's league could be used to blackmail clubs into accepting ground-share deals on the FAI's terms.

And in the process try to out the other Dublin Clubs. A meeting of Pats patrons (and other similar scheme participants) had a meeting last and overwhelmimgly spoke against moving. The vibe I got was that the FAI was pushing on and it was either join them in their ground choice or f*** off

I'd rather f*** off, along with UCD and DC who they don't talk about...

**Sheridan** · 25/01/2006, 1:50 PM

Originally Posted by Breifne

Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be speculation on the behalf of the journo's out there, the FAI expect the clubs to agree to this on Saturday, and then tell them what the criteria will be for selection in July. So you agree to allow the FAI to run rough shod over any club it wishes.

Not sure this alters City's brief for the coming season all that radically. Just behoves us to finish as high as possible in order to render forcible relegation on non-sporting criteria morally indefensible (not that it isn't inherently so already) and maybe avail of multiple qualifications to sneak a Setanta Cup spot. Although if the imbeciles are truly determined to pursue this course, there's not much we can do to deter them. Legal redress would presumably be precluded if the eL were wound up and the new league constituted as a separate entity with separate entry criteria. A breakaway is one alternative, but I don't think a league comprising City, UCD, Bray et al is exactly viable...

I hope, when places are being allocated, that the FAI don't ignore one factor often overlooked in such discussions, namely that the core business of a football club is football. Potential, "marketability" (meaningless platitude that is, within an Irish context) and levels of (invariably latent) support count for nothing if those in charge of a club are simply incapable of fielding a competitive team. While it would be lunacy to advocate the Ollie Byrne "hang the expense" model, it's worth remembering that U.C.D. and Dublin City have attained three promotions to the Premier Division (two at the first attempt) between them since Dundalk (whose wage-bill vastly exceeded those of the two "smaller" clubs on each occasion) were relegated thence.

**Passive** · 25/01/2006, 2:02 PM

Clubs would only be allowed compete in the top flight if their teams were good enough, their finances were above board, their facilities were attractive and they had an actual support base. Doesn't sound like a bad plan to me.

Football in this country is in line for a massive kick up the arse. Like it or not, we're groundsharing. Like it or not, we're getting independent audits. Like it or not, the FAI will figure out a way to ensure this happens. If this proposal doesn't go through, they'll just figure out another way to do it.

Clubs like Rovers, Cork and Derry have nothing to worry about. The tax cheats and one-man clubs, on the other hand, can close the door behind them.

**Speranza** · 25/01/2006, 2:12 PM

For football in this country to become professional huge changes are needed but this motion would appear to have an agenda behind it and not one neccesarily in the best interests of the clubs.

UCD and Dublin City according to some shouldn't be in the Premier but surely it is up to the clubs who have huge potential Dundalk, Galway e.t.c to prove that. How many teams who "should" be in the premier to replace these smaller clubs are actually deserving of it on the grounds of infrastructure e.t.c?

I have a feeling we will be voting for this motion.

**Ronnie** · 25/01/2006, 2:16 PM

All very well, but if we only let the good boys play and we have only 6 or 7 good boys, then you have no league anyway. I care about my club first and foremost, I don't want my club to vote for something that might damage my club long term, even if the experts say this is the way to go for Irish soccer!

**R�iteoir** · 25/01/2006, 2:22 PM

This is translates to the FAI want to hand Rovers a place back in the Premier with the minimum of fuss on their part.

Another masterstroke by the FAI

**Mr A** · 25/01/2006, 2:36 PM

But why is this only coming to light now? Couldn't this have come out months ago and have a detailed proposal at this stage? This is the biggest thing ever to hit the league and it's to be done in a totally half-assed manner. It has to be transparent, fair and watertight. This proposal is not, to the clubs should tell the FAI to get their act together and bring back a proper proposal.

**Roverstillidie** · 25/01/2006, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by R�iteoir

This is translates to the FAI want to hand Rovers a place back in the Premier with the minimum of fuss on their part.

Another masterstroke by the FAI

i knew the malcontent paranoid filth would start this.

why exactly would the fai bother helping us out? they havent done a damn thing for us before, and it was their ludicrious points deduction that put us in the 1st to begin with.

we are utterly disliked in merrion square as can be seen by their treatment of us from KRAM to the 400c.

try again, this time minus the chip on your shoulder.

**ThatGuy** · 25/01/2006, 2:48 PM

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

why exactly would the fai bother helping us out? they havent done a damn thing for us before, and it was their ludicrious points deduction that put us in the 1st to begin with.

we are utterly disliked in merrion square as can be seen by their treatment of us from KRAM to the 400c.

try again, this time minus the chip on your shoulder.

I agree. Nothing to do with favouring Rovers.

I do believe that Rovers are definitely one of the clubs that Delaney wants in this franchise though, but to suggest that this is happening just to help Rovers is ridiculous.

**R�iteoir** · 25/01/2006, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

i knew the malcontent paranoid filth would start this.

why exactly would the fai bother helping us out? they havent done a damn thing for us before, and it was their ludicrious points deduction that put us in the 1st to begin with.

Have to take issue with you first on the quite hilarious statement that I am somehow: "malcontent paranoid filth":

a. I'm quite happy with everything in general at the moment
b. I don't think anyone's out to get me - unlike you seem to think that everyone is out to run you lot into the ground - heck you've done a mighty fine job doing that yourselves so far over the years

.
c. I wash regularly - my personal hygene is second to none.

Ludicrous points deduction - the only regret I do have is that you weren't a Swiss or Italian club - that way the controlling FA wouldn't have ****ed about with this points nonsense last season - they would have tossed your arses out of the League entirely and be done with it.

Now run along, there's a good little boy - leave the Premier lads in peace to talk about things!

*pats rtid's head*

**OneRedArmy** · 25/01/2006, 2:54 PM

Originally Posted by Passive

Clubs would only be allowed compete in the top flight if their teams were good enough, their finances were above board, their facilities were attractive and they had an actual support base. Doesn't sound like a bad plan to me.

Football in this country is in line for a massive kick up the arse. Like it or not, we're groundsharing. Like it or not, we're getting independent audits. Like it or not, the FAI will figure out a way to ensure this happens. If this proposal doesn't go through, they'll just figure out another way to do it.

Clubs like Rovers, Cork and Derry have nothing to worry about. The tax cheats and one-man clubs, on the other hand, can close the door behind them.

What he said.

I've just limited confidence that the FAI can actually deliver, but in principle I the ideas make a lot of sense and is the only way to avoid domestic football stagnating.

As I said previously, look for the big clubs to hold a gun to the refusniks heads, with the unsubtle threat of walking away and starting their own thang.

Change or die.

**Dodge** · 25/01/2006, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

we are utterly disliked in merrion square as can be seen by their treatment of us from KRAM to the 400c.

try again, this time minus the chip on your shoulder.

Who has that chip? They don't care about you. Huge difference to being disliked. And don't take it personal, they treat eveyone the same way

**R�iteoir** · 25/01/2006, 2:56 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Who has that chip? They don't care about you. Huge difference to being disliked. And don't take it personal, they treat eveyone the same way

ah Dodge - you know that the truth doesn't fit their Victim Complex that seems to be instilled with them.

EVERYONE gets treated like that by Merrion Square

**Roverstillidie** · 25/01/2006, 3:00 PM

im sorry mr bohs man.

i should have more respect for a club eur1m in the red who are selling part of their pitch to property developers to pay the bills, including a 35 year old rovers reject. a club who tolerate hooligans selling class a drugs in their ground. whose chairman drinks with the bsc and allows its website to demand the return of a hooligan flag. i wish i wish i was a gypo.

you are dead right, you see evil genius delaney contrived a reason to take 8 points off us so we would be relegated so he could force through groundsharing and a merger with the fai. becase, rovers are like the irish juve, they own the association. we just chose not to cash in our chips in 87 or last season and saved it for the big one. getting promoted by vote out of a division we are red hot favourites to win 2 months before kick off.

Originally Posted by R�iteoir

EVERYONE gets treated like that by Merrion Square

so why the quip about sepcial treatment for us?
idiot.

**R�iteoir** · 25/01/2006, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

im sorry mr bohs man.

i should have more respect for a club eur1m in the red who are selling part of their pitch to property developers to pay the bills, including a 35 year old rovers reject. a club who tolerate hooligans selling class a drugs in their ground. whose chairman drinks with the bsc and allows its website to demand the return of a hooligan flag. i wish i wish i was a gypo.

back to your original idiocy. you are dead right, you see evil genius delaney contrived a reason to take 8 points off us so we would be relegated so he could force through groundsharing and a merger with the fai. becase, rovers are like the irish juve, they own the association. we just chose not to cash in our chips in 87 or last season and saved it for the big one. getting promoted by vote out of a division we are red hot favourites to win 2 months before kick off.

idiot.

Please use correct punctuation next time - makes it easier to read the utter bile that is seeping from your keyboard, cheers.

**Roverstillidie** · 25/01/2006, 3:08 PM

reitor, you are claiming this is all a plot by the fai to help rovers while simultaniously stating merrion sq treat everyone as badly.

do we need your inane paranoid bohs inferiority complex diluting a discusson as important as the very future of our clubs?

if you have something to contribute, please feel free. if the best you can some up with is this childish tripe, please dont bother. leave it to those who actually have something to say.

**thomas** · 25/01/2006, 3:15 PM

If its a 10 team league they are proposing there is very little point in ranking teams positioned 1st and 2nd in the first division a nominal overall rank of 11 and 12