Are you in favour of proposed new league format?

**monutdfc** · 08/02/2006, 8:17 AM

Regrettably, I cannot disagree with you on that.
However, to put my quote in context, it was a response to a Galway United poster claiming that it was the fact that Galway United was embedded in its community rather than its geographical location that was the main reason why they considered themselves certs for the elite division. Your point bears out my point that if this was the case MUFC would also be front-runners for the elite league, which is clearly not the case.

**Snoop Drog** · 08/02/2006, 8:07 PM

I am a big fan of all the great work the Mons have done (doing) for football in their community. It is a shame that the locals don't respond by supporting the club the way they should.
Regarding GUFC- I have been at games there Vs Drogs, in both premier and first divisions, with very decent crowds (2,000+) and that wasn't all that long ago. So I guess there is definitely potential for Galway to draw decent crowds.

**Mr A** · 08/02/2006, 8:21 PM

Galway definately have the capacity to draw good crowds, but not always consistently. The problem in Galway seems to be that its a hard city to get consistent support in. In recent years it has not been unusual for Terryland to be packed for a big cup game or whatever and the next week the crowd will be way down again. The Galway GAA teams and Connacht rugby suffer from the same thing- it's a particularly difficult city to consistently big crowds in, unless the team is really flying. However, the season ticket campaign that they've run over the past couple of seasons has been brilliant and will hopefully boost crowds consistently over the season. Mostly, as everywhere else, it'll depend on how the team is going though, but the capture of Alan Murphy has generated great interest and if the team can perform it could be a really good year for them. Then again, it's going to be a tough year down among the dead men in the first....

**JC_GUFC** · 09/02/2006, 1:33 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

An invitational league with acceptance based on crowds, marketability, facilities and (to a much lesser degree) league placing and ability.

This seems strange - you more than anyone else keeps going on about how the divisions are going to be decided on the above criteria.

You're obviously privy to a lot more information than the rest of us but you also seem to have decided that UCD have no place in this "Elite" division.

As far as I can see the proposals are in order to take the league up another level after years of neglect from the FAI.

Maybe you're happy the way the league is at the moment but would you not prefer to travel to better stadia, to have bigger crowds at games, to have better run clubs?

I really can't see why anyone would be against this - apart from the fact that you seem to think UCD offer nothing to the league. Unless of course you want Dublin University promoted to the league and that way all your chants aimed at Trinity would have some relevance!

**CollegeTillIDie** · 09/02/2006, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by JC_GUFC

This seems strange - you more than anyone else keeps going on about how the divisions are going to be decided on the above criteria.

You're obviously privy to a lot more information than the rest of us but you also seem to have decided that UCD have no place in this "Elite" division.

As far as I can see the proposals are in order to take the league up another level after years of neglect from the FAI.

Maybe you're happy the way the league is at the moment but would you not prefer to travel to better stadia, to have bigger crowds at games, to have better run clubs?

I really can't see why anyone would be against this - apart from the fact that you seem to think UCD offer nothing to the league. Unless of course you want Dublin University promoted to the league and that way all your chants aimed at Trinity would have some relevance!

I can't speak for pineapple stu but I would be largely against an "invitational" League. Any team that does not qualify for the Premier Division on merit has no basis to be there end of story. As regards facilities UCD could always groundshare if that were necessary until the Bowl came up to scratch if it came down to that. We would not exactly be the first Dublin club to do that now would we? If Dublin University were to enter the League ( or a combination with Trinity Corinthians) ye(JC I know you are a Trinners graduate) would probably have to ground share with someone. If the Bowl comes up to scratch I am sure we could accomodate you if the fee was decent enough

P.S. Dublin University are members at present of the Under 21 League ergo they are members of the EL in a manner of speaking ergo the Trinity chants are slightly relevant

**pineapple stu** · 09/02/2006, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by JC_GUFC

Maybe you're happy the way the league is at the moment but would you not prefer to travel to better stadia, to have bigger crowds at games, to have better run clubs?

Remind me again what UEFA Licencing is for?

Invitational leagues have no place in sport. They defeat the entire purpose of a league system.

**JC_GUFC** · 09/02/2006, 5:40 PM

I'm not sure where you got the idea of this being an "invitational league" - would you regard the SPL as an "invitational league" or the English football league?

I agree but what's the point of implementing the UEFA licensing programme if it's not going to be enforced? If the FAI are taking over the running of the league they want to make it the best product possible. UCD & Dublin City are both in the Premier Division on merit and no-one can take that away from them yet the 2 sets of fans, particularly UCD, seem to be petrified by this new league.

Do you seriously think you're going to be kicked out of the Premier Division because of your lack of support? From what I understood any team who finishes in the top 10 of the Premier next season can't be demoted and any team who finishes outside the top 2 in the First Division can't be promoted.

**pineapple stu** · 09/02/2006, 6:29 PM

Quote from the eL PRO - you may make what you want of it...

"This is seen as the first full step towards...clubs being placed in divisions according to their league placing, facilities and marketability."

I also don't see the point of "winding up" the old league for something which is exactly identical. Implementing something is already in place, it doesn't need a vote. If UEFA Licencing is the answer, grand. Why not implement it rather than vote in a new league?

Anyhoo, I've said my bit. Plenty of others hold similar views from all other clubs. Let's see what happens now.