Portadown Out

[TheBoss]

Do you's think it as possible that Donegal Celtic and Portadown might want to play in the League of Ireland ?

[AnnaghRed]

On what grounds, exactly?

Dont know. Coleraine being awarded a domestic licence but being denied a UEFA might be one avenue they could exploit.

[AnnaghRed]

Do you's think it as possible that Donegal Celtic and Portadown might want to play in the League of Ireland ?

Donegal Celtic might want to go down that route, but I couldn't see Portadown taking it. We'll just bide our time and wait to see what punishment is handed out to the next club to f*ck up.

[holidaysong]

Do you's think it as possible that Donegal Celtic and Portadown might want to play in the League of Ireland ?

Other issues aside, I'd say it would be easier to try and get promoted back up to the top flight in NI than to come down here and try and do the same.

[TheBoss]

But will they be allowed to get promoted ?

[holidaysong]

But will they be allowed to get promoted ?

There will be relegation and promotion in the coming season. The terms of it have not been worked out yet though. If they finish in the promotion spot and they can get a domestic licence (facilities and finances are all in order) then they will be promoted.

[waide]

Do you's think it as possible that Donegal Celtic and Portadown might want to play in the League of Ireland ?

I would not blame dc if they applied to the loi for they haven't a fair deal from the il.

[Not Brazil]

I would not blame dc if they applied to the loi for they haven't a fair deal from the il.

They had the same "fair deal" as everybody else did in the invitational league application process.

They knew the rules of the game - they failed.

That's life.

[waide]

They had the same "fair deal" as everybody else did in the invitational league application process.

They knew the rules of the game - they failed.

That's life.

Obviously they failed and the i l will be all the poorer for it,but i have a feeling that this has a bit to run yet.

[thischarmingman]

They should start talking to the FAI, at the very least it'll scare the bejesus out of the IFA.

[Steve Bruce]

They should start talking to the FAI, at the very least it'll scare the bejesus out of the IFA.

It's not as easy as that. AFAIK you have to get permission from your own FA to leave before you can gain entry to another jurisdiction.

[pól-dcfc]

It's not as easy as that. AFAIK you have to get permission from your own FA to leave before you can gain entry to another jurisdiction.

I think this may have changed with the development of the EU Common Market. I'm not 100% sure, but possibly a refusal to let a club move would be an infringement of their right to trade across Europe?

UEFA would obviously have to agree though, otherwise they could just kick the FAI out. Can't imagine it happening though.

[Blanchflower]

I think this may have changed with the development of the EU Common Market. I'm not 100% sure, but possibly a refusal to let a club move would be an infringement of their right to trade across Europe?

So there's no barrier to Celtic and Rangers joining the English Premiership, then?

Or Ajax joining the Bundesliga?

etc, etc

[pól-dcfc]

So there's no barrier to Celtic and Rangers joining the English Premiership, then?

Or Ajax joining the Bundesliga?

etc, etc

Bar the disapproval of UEFA and the subsequent expulsion of the national FA.

Technically a club could do as they please, but it would have to be outwith the realms of FIFA and UEFA.

[Graemerz]

Do you's think it as possible that Donegal Celtic and Portadown might want to play in the League of Ireland ?

You wouldn't want DC in your league. They're rubbish.

[TheBoss]

Whether they are good or not good is irrelevant, just saying they might want to move.

[Schumi]

So there's no barrier to Celtic and Rangers joining the English Premiership, then?

Or Ajax joining the Bundesliga?

etc, etc

The league they want to move into would have to agree. Clubs flirting with relegation most years would be unlikely to agree to being pushed down another place or two.

The FAI wouldn't allow this unless the IFA were onboard I'd say so there's no real chance of another Northern club joining the League of Ireland.

[Graemerz]

Whether they are good or not good is irrelevant, just saying they might want to move.

I'd be surprised if the FAI would have any interest in inviting Donegal Celtic to their league after witnessing what they brought (or more importantly what they didn't) to the Northern Ireland league.

[AnnaghRed]

I'd be surprised if the FAI would have any interest in inviting Donegal Celtic to their league after witnessing what they brought (or more importantly what they didn't) to the Northern Ireland league.

What did you expect from DC?

They finished 13th last season above established clubs Glenavon and Larne, and 11th this season, again above Glenavon and Larne.

Personally, I wont be surprised if they finish above Portadown in next seasons PIL, on team spirit alone

That a club who finished 8 places below them in our league structure has taken their place, simply for having a better ground, must be very hard to take.

Bangor may be a big enough town, but its footballing public has always tended to support Linfield or Glentoran, even during the heady days of Nigel Best.

[Blanchflower]

Bar the disapproval of UEFA and the subsequent expulsion of the national FA.

In other words, it can't happen!

(And it's got nothing to do with the EU, otherwise UEFA's rules would be unlawful and would have to change cf. Bosman.)