Sums Linfield in Europe up pretty well

[Steve Bruce]

There would certainly be difficulties. However I honestly feel we are outgrowing the Irish League if we have not already done so. I simply see continued participation in the Irish League as a possible hindrance to our undoubted progress.

What happens if we have an all-island league, Linfields support base grows even bigger and we start to dominate football across this island? Where do we go then?

If we are to move leagues to fulfill our potential then Scotland or England has to be it. We would grow to our biggest possible size in either league and although we would never be a force, I think it would be a lot more enjoyable to be watching Linfield vs Hibs/Rangers/Celtic/Hearts/Aberdeen/Dunfirmline etc in front of 15-20,000 every week in Scotland.

or Watching Linfield vs Leeds/Southampton/Oldham/Leicester etc etc

It's all pie in the sky anyway, but I do not believe an all-island league is the promise land. The promise land lies in either Scotland or England.

Well that's my opinion anyway.

[SolitudeRed]

Agreed. So would you not prefer to play in a league where you'd get a game every now and then? Glens apart, it must get pretty boring up there.

I'd say Cliftonville give the Blues a pretty tough game these days! we were one of the few IL teams (perhaps the only) that Linfield couldn't beat last season!

[Graemerz]

I'd say Cliftonville give the Blues a pretty tough game these days! we were one of the few IL teams (perhaps the only) that Linfield couldn't beat last season!

correct, as for this season, bring it on!

[whitewell red]

What happens if we have an all-island league, Linfields support base grows even bigger and we start to dominate football across this island? Where do we go then?

If we are to move leagues to fulfill our potential then Scotland or England has to be it. We would grow to our biggest possible size in either league and although we would never be a force, I think it would be a lot more enjoyable to be watching Linfield vs Hibs/Rangers/Celtic/Hearts/Aberdeen/Dunfirmline etc in front of 15-20,000 every week in Scotland.

or Watching Linfield vs Leeds/Southampton/Oldham/Leicester etc etc

It's all pie in the sky anyway, but I do not believe an all-island league is the promise land. The promise land lies in either Scotland or England.

i don't no what u eat be4 u go 2 sleep but u can do some dreaming. Linfield r a good team, so what. ur getting on like linfield r unbeatable, there not. yes they have won the league 4 the last few years just like Celtic, man u, but some1 else will win it soon.
As 4 linfield movin leagues 2 fulfill their potential, they will never play in Scotland or England just like the old firm will never play in England, it might sound good and might b the best way forward 4 the old firm but Uefa will not agree 2 it.
u need 2 have a reality check m8 linfield r not good enough 2 play in Scotland never mind England which leaves a all Ireland league the only option and that's not because linfield r 2 good 4 the Irish league its because it would b best 4 every1

[BleusAvantTout]

i don't no what u eat be4 u go 2 sleep but u can do some dreaming. Linfield r a good team, so what. ur getting on like linfield r unbeatable, there not. yes they have won the league 4 the last few years just like Celtic, man u, but some1 else will win it soon.
As 4 linfield movin leagues 2 fulfill their potential, they will never play in Scotland or England just like the old firm will never play in England, it might sound good and might b the best way forward 4 the old firm but Uefa will not agree 2 it.
u need 2 have a reality check m8 linfield r not good enough 2 play in Scotland never mind England which leaves a all Ireland league the only option and that's not because linfield r 2 good 4 the Irish league its because it would b best 4 every1

You'd be better typing in Hungarian!!!!!

[David]

I'd say Cliftonville give the Blues a pretty tough game these days! we were one of the few IL teams (perhaps the only) that Linfield couldn't beat last season!

On a one off yes Cliftonville have shown they are capable. However it does seem that the be all and end all of your season is your results against Linfield. You are not able to sustain a league challenge and have done so once in living memory when you won it in 1998. You have not come close to challenging since and with the mentality that you seem to have I do not see that changing. Cliftonville focus on the games against Linfield, Linfield focus on winning championships. Therein lies the difference.

[BleusAvantTout]

On a one off yes Cliftonville have shown they are capable. However it does seem that the be all and end all of your season is your results against Linfield. You are not able to sustain a league challenge and have done so once in living memory when you won it in 1998. You have not come close to challenging since and with the mentality that you seem to have I do not see that changing. Cliftonville focus on the games against Linfield, Linfield focus on winning championships. Therein lies the difference.

A succinct summation..............and you've "hit the nail on the head"!

[mypost]

This coming from a supporter of a club who just last season were playing Eircom First Division football, thats a class above the rest that.

Yes, we won our (highly competitive) league by 1 point after 36 games. Linfield had won their uncompetitive league before a ball was kicked.

I’m sure fans of the Eircom League would prefer more structure and that most matches are played on a Saturday at 3pm.

You wouldn't get 3pm games here. We play at night only.

[lofty9]

I'd love to know what the obsession is with Saturday afternoon football? Most people I know couldn't get to a game due to work or family commitments at that time. If Derry played regularly on a Saturday afternoon our crowds would drop off substantially. Off the top of my head these Saturday games take place in NI, England, Scotland and Germany. The rest on Sundays or have evening kick offs.

[SolitudeRed]

On a one off yes Cliftonville have shown they are capable. However it does seem that the be all and end all of your season is your results against Linfield. You are not able to sustain a league challenge and have done so once in living memory when you won it in 1998. You have not come close to challenging since and with the mentality that you seem to have I do not see that changing. Cliftonville focus on the games against Linfield, Linfield focus on winning championships. Therein lies the difference.

LOL I should have expected a response like that from certain Linfield fans! yes its true Cliftonville and all IL teams only ever bother to play when its against Linfield! The world clearly revolves around Linfield

Anyways look at my post I am merely stating that Linfield can and do get beaten by teams such as Cliftonville and Distillery, it was a response to a claim that the Glens are the only ones who can give Linfield a game!

[David]

LOL I should have expected a response like that from certain Linfield fans! yes its true Cliftonville and all IL teams only ever bother to play when its against Linfield! The world clearly revolves around Linfield

Anyways look at my post I am merely stating that Linfield can and do get beaten by teams such as Cliftonville and Distillery, it was a response to a claim that the Glens are the only ones who can give Linfield a game!

Your last point is of course correct. My point was though that I have heard Cliftonville supporters talking more about their 3-0 victory against us than talking about actually winning a trophy last season. Most seem to think the former was a greater achievement.

[Graemerz]

Elfsborg drew 0-0 with Debrecan last night and are now into the 3rd round to face Valencia. Oh what might have been if Dicko snatched that goal at the end in Boras.

[SolitudeRed]

Your last point is of course correct. My point was though that I have heard Cliftonville supporters talking more about their 3-0 victory against us than talking about actually winning a trophy last season. Most seem to think the former was a greater achievement.

Well I'd say if you asked most Cliftonville fans what they would have prefered to take from last season a 3-0 win over the blues or the county Antrim Shield they would have choisen winning the CAS! the ones making a big deal about it are Probably just trying to rub it in to the Linfield fans and all that banter!

[dcfcsteve]

I’m sure fans of the Eircom League would prefer more structure and that most matches are played on a Saturday at 3pm.

And I'm sure you're wrong there. Never heard anyone talk of 3pm Saturday Kick-offs in the league. The clubs don't seem to want them either, as they've tried pretty much any KO time apart from then.

Now with Setanta Ireland showing English games live at 3pm, it'd be even more suicidal to switch to such an unpopular KO time and day.

It's Friday night for the Eircom league.

[SolitudeRed]

And I'm sure you're wrong there. Never heard anyone talk of 3pm Saturday Kick-offs in the league. The clubs don't seem to want them either, as they've tried pretty much any KO time apart from then.

Now with Setanta Ireland showing English games live at 3pm, it'd be even more suicidal to switch to such an unpopular KO time and day.

It's Friday night for the Eircom league.

Have only ever been to one EL match and that was Galway utd against Derry City back in May and it was on at 7.45 on a friday night, It seems to be a good time to have matches as there was a good crowd at it and there seemed to be plenty of families at the match, Although I'd say it is a bit of a pain for travelling fans if they have to travel long way to go to get home as they'll not get back until the small hours of saturday morning!