Donegal Celtic promoted

[Poor Student]

You didn't hear complaints because last season there were only 3 Belfawst clubs in the premier. Only increased to 5 for next season.

It was four until Crusaders got relegated though. Belfast seems to be able to sustain equally as big if not bigger clubs than the much larger Dublin can.

There's one particular associated-histoiry with the word 'Celtic' that Donegal Celtic openly admit they are looking to sponge off of - and it's the Scottish variety, rather than the home-grown one. It's great that West Belfast has a team back in senior football, but I really hope they build their own fan-base, ratehr than just live off blow-in's who want to wear a Scottish football top at a game and have a mini Old Firm with Linfield.

To be fair, Linfield, who some consider to be this island's biggest club, are not adverse in the slightest to capitalising on a likeness to Rangers.

[el punter]

It was four until Crusaders got relegated though. Belfast seems to be able to sustain equally as big if not bigger clubs than the much larger Dublin can.



To be fair, Linfield, who some consider to be this island's biggest club, are not adverse in the slightest to capitalising on a likeness to Rangers.

I wouldn't say the league is sustaining the multitude of Belfast clubs particularly well. The league is very lobsided, and the fans are far from happy at the structure of the league.

I think you'll find most Linfield fans would rather Rangers stayed in Glasgow and that the boys that wear Rangers jerseys to the Linfield games would get themselves off to Ibrox.

I'm basing the above on the not insignificant amount of time I spend on the ILF forum.

[Krstic]

I think you'll find most Linfield fans would rather Rangers stayed in Glasgow and that the boys that wear Rangers jerseys to the Linfield games would get themselves off to Ibrox.

I find that hard to believe.

As with all irish clubs, a great many Linfield fans support teams from England and Scotland.
By telling these fans to stay away, would mean the end for all Irish clubs.

[Poor Student]

I'm basing the above on the not insignificant amount of time I spend on the ILF forum.

I'd say the opposite based on my time there.

[David]

With Crusaders, Linfield, Glentoran, Cliftonville and Donegal Celtic, does that not take it to 5 Belfast teams in the top flight? How come we never hear complaints off too many Belfast clubs, yet a bigger city in Dublin has too many clubs?

Throw in Lisburn Distillery who are on the outskirts of the city and it makes it even worse but what can you do when DC won promotion fair and square.

[David]

To be fair, Linfield, who some consider to be this island's biggest club, are not adverse in the slightest to capitalising on a likeness to Rangers.

In what way do we capitalise on a "likeness to Rangers".

[David]

I wouldn't say the league is sustaining the multitude of Belfast clubs particularly well. The league is very lobsided, and the fans are far from happy at the structure of the league.

I think you'll find most Linfield fans would rather Rangers stayed in Glasgow and that the boys that wear Rangers jerseys to the Linfield games would get themselves off to Ibrox.

I'm basing the above on the not insignificant amount of time I spend on the ILF forum.

Depends on what you mean. There is an element within our support that is very anto Old Firm but as has been pointed out we are hardly in a position to turn people in Rangers tops away. However what we could do without, and there is no doubting that there is a small element of this, is those that simply see a football match as an outlet for their sectarian bile. Personally I do not care where they go as long as they would stay away from our games.

[Poor Student]

In what way do we capitalise on a "likeness to Rangers".

You play Rangers relatively regularly. I don't think it does the club any favours as it kind of reinforces Linfield in people's minds as a junior Rangers. It yields a good financial profit though.

[David]

You play Rangers relatively regularly. I don't think it does the club any favours as it kind of reinforces Linfield in people's minds as a junior Rangers. It yields a good financial profit though.

That is not capitising on a likeness to Rangers though, that is capatilising on the support Rangers have, there is a difference. For a while we played Liverpool on a regular basis, we were not cashing in on any likeness to Liverpool. The only reason we play Rangers on a regular basis is that it is financially beneficial to do so.

[Dassa]

Throw in Lisburn Distillery who are on the outskirts of the city and it makes it even worse but what can you do when DC won promotion fair and square.

Thats it if teams are promoted, last year Mid Ulster area had 6 teams in the top flight which is going to be the same this year.

Armagh
Dungannon
Glenavon
Loughgall
Newry
portadown

the most under represented area is west of the Bann, always was surprised how enniskillen couldnt get a team sorted for IL football.

[David]

Thats it if teams are promoted, last year Mid Ulster area had 6 teams in the top flight which is going to be the same this year.

Armagh
Dungannon
Glenavon
Loughgall
Newry
portadown

the most under represented area is west of the Bann, always was surprised how enniskillen couldnt get a team sorted for IL football.

Would agree, would be great to have a team from that direction. It has to be said that support for teams west of the Bann isn't really there. Look at the size of the town of Omagh but they got more or less no support. Whether this is down to GAA or not I am unsure.

[Poor Student]

That is not capitising on a likeness to Rangers though, that is capatilising on the support Rangers have, there is a difference. For a while we played Liverpool on a regular basis, we were not cashing in on any likeness to Liverpool. The only reason we play Rangers on a regular basis is that it is financially beneficial to do so.

Fair enough David, I choose the words badly.

But the other point I was making was, do IL fans often moan about too many Belfast clubs? There seems to be a belief down here among a lot of people that there is somehow too many Dublin clubs and there should be a more even geographical spread.

[David]

Fair enough David, I choose the words badly.

But the other point I was making was, do IL fans often moan about too many Belfast clubs? There seems to be a belief down here among a lot of people that there is somehow too many Dublin clubs and there should be a more even geographical spread.

Not a complaint that I hear too much to be totally honest although that may change this year as las year there were only the 3 Belfast clubs plus Lisburn Distillery. It is all well and good saying there should be a better geographical spread but what can you do when two Belfast clubs are promoted fairly. Personally I am gutted that Institute went down, it is a great away day and likewise an excellent day when they come to us and the more clubs from outside Belfast the better as far as I am concerned as I enjoy the away trips on the minibus.

[Dassa]

Away trips That would be my only complaint. At the minute 5 away trips for my club are within 20 miles hardly a big day out. Enjoyed going up to stute and would like travelling to Enniskillen, Omagh etc. But its not to be. i remember reading about a team from enniskillen selling their ground and they would become one of the richest in NI altough thats not hard, remember who it was David about two years ago the story first started.

found it http://www.impartialreporter.com/arc...story5979.html

[David]

Aye I remember that. You should make a day out of it when you come up to us and join us for a few beers before the game up on the Shankill.

[ORPCS]

Well done DC but please don't go the CliftonVILE way of being super taigs to attract support. Hardlines Stute, always welcome at the Brandy lads.

Speranza - take that D(o)ire chip off your shoulder. Cliftonville have never nutured their potential by establishing themselves as a club with a firmly nationalist ethos.

As recently as 1989 God save the queen was played at the end of the night (every night) in the Cliftonville Social Club .... something which Cliftonville obviously persevered with to send out the right (wrong?) message to Cliftonville fans.

The club also banned any fans guilty of sectarian behaviour ... I can think of the infamous occasion where a Cliftonville supporter jumped on the pitch and paraded past portadown fans waving a tricolour (barred for life), also another occasion were someone slapped a kid wearing a Rainjurs shirt a mile away from thre ground (barred for life).

I personally think that Cliftonville have missed out on extra income by not 'playing the green card' - but am overall glad that we have chosen not to do so as my own politics are SDLP rather than SF - and I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable at Solitude if the place was full of neds in Celtic jerseys with bum fluff moustaches.

I can also confirm that Cliftonville fans from outside the North Belfast area (West Belfast, Lurgan Reds and Short Strand/Markets reds) have always been met with an element of mis-trust/scorn by the board because they are seen as jumping on a political bandwagon. (I remember an entire bus load of Lurgan Reds being denied entry to a match - because Portadirt buses were bricked in the Lurgan area a few weeks earlier when Cliftonville werent even playing).

[Speranza]

Fair play to your boad but my issue isn't with them. Your fans behaviour is a joke, coming to the Brandywell and giving us abuse when we play Rovers then coming into our crowd during the Glens match and "supproting us" by shouting sectarian rubbish that no-one in our club wants and starting fights. I am well aware that there were Derry mouths mixed with the Cliftonville fans but there were Reds present and that group started the fights when asked to stop their singing.

Tri-colours galore despite playing in red and white and I think i remember seeing a smoke display of green, white and orange.

[Speranza]

Our fans only fly tri-colours when we play in Europe. We are representing Ireland after all.

As I have said to David before there is nothing wrong with displaying your national flag but why is there a need to? There is a clear difference in another el club displaying a tri-colour and City fans doing it. The vast majority of our fans are from a nationalist/republican background but we don't feel the need to attach a republican image to our club. To me personally pride in my City comes when watching DCFC and I'll keep my national pride for Croker/Landsdowne.

[ORPCS]

Your fans behaviour is a joke, coming to the Brandywell and giving us abuse when we play Rovers then coming into our crowd during the Glens match and "supproting us" by shouting sectarian rubbish that no-one in our club wants and starting fights. I am well aware that there were Derry mouths mixed with the Cliftonville fans but there were Reds present and that group started the fights when asked to stop their singing.

Surely the fact that we abuse Derry Fans as well as Glens fans proves that we arent discriminatory about who we abuse -

There are about 20 C'ville fans who support Derry as their EL team and a similar number who support Rovers as their EL team. The other 300 regulars at Solitude on a Saturday have no interest in either team. Nobody seems to have a problem with this except you.

Tri-colours galore despite playing in red and white and I think i remember seeing a smoke display of green, white and orange

Not perfect - but Cliftonville fans have come a long way in the past 20 years and are now made welcome in most away social clubs in the IL.

Speranza - have a joint and chill... you come across as a very angry young man.

[David]

Our fans only fly tri-colours when we play in Europe. We are representing Ireland after all.

As I have said to David before there is nothing wrong with displaying your national flag but why is there a need to? There is a clear difference in another el club displaying a tri-colour and City fans doing it. The vast majority of our fans are from a nationalist/republican background but we don't feel the need to attach a republican image to our club. To me personally pride in my City comes when watching DCFC and I'll keep my national pride for Croker/Landsdowne.

And as I have said to you many times, just because you decide not to do it does not make it wrong if someone else does it. That is their choice, there are too many hang ups over flags. If someone is offended by a tricolour or a Union Flag at a football match then I would suggest that it is they who have the problem and not the person with the flag.