6 clubs attack FAI policy?

**Dodge** · 10/10/2007, 11:30 AM

From 11-a-side - (Click link for full article, only extracts below)

The Irish Daily Star carries an exclusive report claiming that 2007 title favourites Drogheda United, as well as Dublin pair Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City, Derry City and Galway United, have joined forces in a bid to improve the eircom League’s lot.
...
A perceived lack of support for the eircom League within FAI circles, despite the merger between the organisations last year, is seen as a major obstacle to the development of the senior game in Ireland, with some officials privately angry that the Association ploughs much of its resources into the international team.

While its about ****ing time that some clubs decided to work together, its just a shame they use the wage cap as an example of something wrong the league is doing...

**Sonic** · 10/10/2007, 11:41 AM

And trying to campaign that all clubs go fulltime is another joke. Not every team can afford this and you wont get any handy clubs from the first division to commit to full time either. As you say they should be hard hitting at the real issue that being the incompetence of the association that runs the league!

**noby** · 10/10/2007, 11:53 AM

Agreed, it's a good idea for clubs to come together to 'fight the cause', but full time pros on limitless wages is hardly the solution to the leagues problems.

**Jofspring** · 10/10/2007, 12:02 PM

good to see some clubs are trying to make a difference as i feel the FAI have made no noticable improvements to the LOI.

**Sheridan** · 10/10/2007, 12:05 PM

Find it hard to believe that Galway are mixed up in this. They know which side their bread is buttered and would be stupid to jeopardise the FAI's patronage. If anything, Galway's spending splurge just serves to emphasize that there aren't enough players of the requisite standard to justify a full-time league.

**Lim till i die** · 10/10/2007, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Find it hard to believe that Galway are mixed up in this. They know which side their bread is buttered and would be stupid to jeopardise the FAI's patronage. If anything, Galway's spending splurge just serves to emphasize that there aren't enough players of the requisite standard to justify a full-time league.

Was my immediate reaction

Are they plotting to break away with Linfield and Glentoran into a Super Eight style tournament??

**Billy Lord** · 10/10/2007, 12:25 PM

Funniest thing I've read in ages.

**sonofstan** · 10/10/2007, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Billy Lord

Funniest thing I've read in ages.

Weren't you asked then?

**gilberto_eire** · 10/10/2007, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Find it hard to believe that Galway are mixed up in this. They know which side their bread is buttered and would be stupid to jeopardise the FAI's patronage. If anything, Galway's spending splurge just serves to emphasize that there aren't enough players of the requisite standard to justify a full-time league.

the teams listed are just the ones with the money

**Macy** · 10/10/2007, 12:57 PM

Campaigning against a wage cap and wanting a full time only league. What nonsense, such a move would set the league back years. Surprised at Derry and Galway in particular, considering their pride in their reputation for financial discipline.

Mind you, you can see why Derry, Bohs and Pats want part time Rovers out of the fight for European places. And sure Galway could do without 2 part time teams above them keeping them in their battle with another 2 part time clubs to avoid the play off.

**Dodge** · 10/10/2007, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

Surprised at Derry and Galway in particular, considering their pride in their reputation for financial discipline.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 10/10/2007, 1:10 PM

If the clubs didn't agree with it they should have had some balls and complained when the proposals were made up and not sign them. Seeing as the six clubs have the six highest budgets in the league (maybe Sligo would be in there) it's not surprising that they're complaining.

**Tir Oilean** · 10/10/2007, 1:12 PM

Im kind of surprised myself. However I do agree that we should be aiming to have a fully full time league, I just dont believe it can ever happen. As regards the wages issue im not sure where I stand. I only know that we've got lads that are not playing to the value of their wages.

**Macy** · 10/10/2007, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Yeah, I should've said self styled reputation in recent seasons.

**MyTown** · 10/10/2007, 1:15 PM

I think the criticism of my team on this thread is inevitable and to some extent reasonable. A big debate has gone on in Galway within and outside the club as to the merits of a full-time set up. Supporters were not crying out for a full time set up this time last year when we were in the First Division, and I was never aware of a campaign to make that move.

Obviously the people who count in the club believe it is the best way forward, but performances on the park this season seriously weakened that argument.

As to the substantive issue of sounding off about the disproportionate interest in the International team over the domestic League, I believe it's a non-argument. Before the FAI took over the Eircom League, it was politics within the 22 clubs that was the biggest obstacle to progress IMO, and nothing has changed on that front as far as I'm concerned.

Facilities and attendances in some venues are embarassing to say the least, but that doesn't prevent officials from those clubs banging the table when it comes to their rights etc.

**Dodge** · 10/10/2007, 1:26 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

If the clubs didn't agree with it they should have had some balls and complained when the proposals were made up and not sign them. Seeing as the six clubs have the six highest budgets in the league (maybe Sligo would be in there) it's not surprising that they're complaining.

While I agree with you, and disagree with my club, the people running it now are completely different to the previous crowd.

**exiled_gufc_fan** · 10/10/2007, 1:31 PM

Should the six clubs concerned be awaiting fines from the FAI then?

Or worse, a points deduction?

**Dodge** · 10/10/2007, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by exiled_gufc_fan

Should the six clubs concerned be awaiting fines from the FAI then?

Or worse, a points deduction?

Well officially they haven't done or said anything...

**Dodge** · 10/10/2007, 2:10 PM

kdjac scanned the article. Takes a slightly different tact than the 11-a-side article

http://homepage.eircom.net/~kdja4/DSC00456.JPG

**Tir Oilean** · 10/10/2007, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by Rogue Trader

What is the point of aiming for something that can't be achieved as you say yourself ? I honestly don't think we would even have 10 clubs that could go full time at the same time.

Search me

But I can see how the people who sweat blood and tears to get a club up to a high standard (that we see in most clubs today) would want to see every other club at least try to improve. It seems that this rule is there to stop another Shelbourne but at the same time could hold back the clubs that have come on leaps and bounds in the recent past.

PS Sligo is surely a club that could go fully pro with the right people? When I lived there it was better supported than my own club.