State of the league?

**the rovers** · 21/11/2006, 12:50 PM

i like may was delighted when summer socer was introduced to the eircom league. now that the season is over i have a couple of concerns. the league is ment to be getting better and more professional well dont think i need to mention all the off the pitch rubish that went on. the top two teams finished level but still dropped 38 points each. is this a sign od progression and development? the summer socer was ment to attract bigger and better crowds dont think that has happened thinj they have gotten worse. not tyring to run the league down in any way just think that we are fooling ourselfs. what do you all think?

**SRFC Head** · 21/11/2006, 1:11 PM

Well it is probably good for the teams who qualify for Europe and Setanta, as they can use Setanta games for quality preseason and european games they are peaking during the time and can get the better of some of their european conterparts.

There is also the GAA to think about, I only follow the hurling so Im not going to miss matches for it, but there are alot of support for Rovers that also support Sligo GAA, and maybe they wouldn't be able to attend both and since the Sligo GAA don't play alot of games they would rather seen them when they do play big matches.

There is also Summer hols to think about, alot of people head off for a while during the Summer and also alot of people watch big tournaments like the World cup, olympics, etc during this period and may not go to Rovers matches.

I loved the cold nights when the floodlights first came, but nostalgia is a funny thing, were things all that good !!

**red bellied** · 21/11/2006, 1:52 PM

Crowds were definitely down during the summer period (June till end of August) compared to the start and finish of the season.

**the rovers** · 21/11/2006, 1:59 PM

crowds seem to be down but what are the club doing about it? that really annoyes me never a single sign or poster to get people out to the matches. reall shame that not only is sligo not advertised well enough but dont think the league is. the advertisment we have is eircom league weekly need i say more

**gustavo** · 21/11/2006, 2:12 PM

Definelty the club needs to be promoted and marketed better. I would have thought that would have happened during the last season but not much did. I think that overall the summer soccer is a good idea and it should be up to the clubs to ensure that they dont lose out .

**Redzer** · 21/11/2006, 2:31 PM

From the FAI website. It's a step in the right direction. A Club Promotion Officer is certainly needed.

As part of the investment in community links through the eircom League from 2007 the FAI is seeking to assist clubs in recruitment of a Club Promotions Officer in each of the eircom League’s Clubs in advance of the 2007 season.

The FAI will make €180,000 available to Premiership clubs to deploy Club Promotion Officers to market the club in the community, to boost attendances, interest in the game, links with schools and other clubs in the catchment area.

The Club Promotions Officer will be an employee of the Club and will report to the General Manager of that club. He or she will be required to work in tandem with the FAI’s National Co-ordinator for the Club Promotions Officer Programme to promote the FAI National League.

Appointments are subject to the club’s status at the start of the 2007 League season.

**The Stars** · 21/11/2006, 6:54 PM

good stuff....but is 180,000 enough.Im not knocking the idea,its fantastic,but think more should be invested.Unless they are looking to invest in other schemes such as Advertising

**red bellied** · 21/11/2006, 7:37 PM

Seven pages on Rovers in the Weekender today, I doubt any other local paper in the country would give that kind of coverage.

**the rovers** · 21/11/2006, 8:06 PM

i think that it is very easy to come out with big figures and anouncments all it they are giving the clubs is �15000 each they will have to put up a lot more to pay the wages of a club pr person thing.
here is what i think srfc should do it will cost feck all: go in to the sligo supply centre and buy a couple of big bundles of a4 paper print out some sheets distribute them around the town and neighbouring towns and villages about the club next game etc. could even put it in to the paper.

**ali2005** · 21/11/2006, 8:22 PM

Originally Posted by red bellied

Seven pages on Rovers in the Weekender today, I doubt any other local paper in the country would give that kind of coverage.

Nd im in it

**DonalE** · 21/11/2006, 8:51 PM

Originally Posted by ali2005

Nd im in it

Me too

**Midgit** · 21/11/2006, 10:01 PM

I did prefer the league during the winter! Would like to see it go back.
I know alot of people who like to it change too!
Although it probably works in our favour for Europe!

**Guts&Glory** · 22/11/2006, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Midgit

I did prefer the league during the winter! Would like to see it go back.
I know alot of people who like to it change too!
Although it probably works in our favour for Europe!

Was marketing not Sutherland's remit???????????

**SligoBrewer** · 23/11/2006, 6:07 PM

180000 is only 3 peoples wages, not enough.
who gives a sh1t about irish clubs in europe?
we are never going to see an irish winner, ever.
its added income but there'd be more income if games and the league were marketed properly

**pineapple stu** · 23/11/2006, 6:13 PM

That's E180k between ten clubs, not each.

**Midgit** · 23/11/2006, 6:19 PM

Originally Posted by SligoBrewer

180000 is only 3 peoples wages, not enough.
who gives a sh1t about irish clubs in europe?
we are never going to see an irish winner, ever.

Well thanks for stating the obvious SligoBrewer!!!
I wasnt saying we would get a winning team from this country i was saying that eventually an Irish team will make the group stage of either the Uefa Cup or Champions League and the summer soccer will be partly to thank!
Irish teams have got very unlucky every time they come within one round of the group stages: Shels(Deportivo) Derry(PSG)..................
Eventually an Irish team will get a lucky draw and get to the group stages!

**gustavo** · 23/11/2006, 6:58 PM

Originally Posted by SligoBrewer

we are never going to see an irish winner, ever. y

I do for one, Thankfully not everyone has such a negative attitude

**Red&White Rover** · 23/11/2006, 7:18 PM

Originally Posted by gustavo

I do for one, Thankfully not everyone has such a negative attitude

i agree...in time...the league has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years in standard...

**gustavo** · 23/11/2006, 8:18 PM

I dont neccecarly see them winning it but then again I dont see any nation winning it other that maybe 5-6 nations , Should the rest of them pack up and go home?

**Tir Oilean** · 23/11/2006, 8:21 PM

Originally Posted by red bellied

Seven pages on Rovers in the Weekender today, I doubt any other local paper in the country would give that kind of coverage.

You guys are talking about the need for advertising and your answer is above. I lived in Sligo for 3 years and could never get over the coverage in the Champion every week. The local rags are clearly supporting you in articles which means they should be open to help you in promotions etc.

Down here we have only recently started to get better covreage still only a max of two pages in the equivalant of the Weekender. And that is partly down to the fact there is no GAA on at the mo. The press will give you the best coverage/marketing you will ever get.