The New IFA Premiership

**Martinho II** · 19/05/2008, 9:18 PM

thats a major shock with portadown.. not too long ago vinny arkins and dean fitzgerald were winnin trophies with them...

**Blanchflower** · 20/05/2008, 2:03 PM

Originally Posted by waide

I would take yhe figure that the glens release with a large pinch of salt,that also applies to linfield.

Except Linfield don't release figures. Like all IL clubs bar Coleraine, they keep them secret.

**antrimgreen** · 21/05/2008, 1:17 PM

I hope DC & Portadown go up next year 2 teams that should be their because of their ability on the pitch and not their ability to post a letter or build a super duper stadium that wouldn't increase attendances.

**Blanchflower** · 22/05/2008, 7:30 AM

I agree antrimgreen, but I suspect it'll only be 1 up-1 down

**Graemerz** · 23/05/2008, 11:07 PM

DC Shouldn't be near the league until they have adequate facilities for football fans. Standing on a muddy bank with no shelter and poor toilet facilities just isn't good enough when you are trying to run a more professional league.

**AnnaghRed** · 24/05/2008, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by Graemerz

Standing on a muddy bank with no shelter and poor toilet facilities just isn't good enough

You've never ventured round to the Sydenham End at the Oval then?

**Graemerz** · 24/05/2008, 1:38 AM

Originally Posted by AnnaghRed

You've never ventured round to the Sydenham End at the Oval then?

I've been on both ends of the Oval. It is a sh*tpit but nowhere near as much of a disgrace as Suffolk Road/Donegal Celtic Park/IKEA Arena is... Atleast there is shelter at The Oval..... although with a 8,000+ crowd you'll never be guaranteed it...

**Lux Interior** · 25/05/2008, 2:08 PM

Originally Posted by AnnaghRed

You've never ventured round to the Sydenham End at the Oval then?

You've never actually stood at the Sydenham End, right?

Otherwise you'd know that it's been terracted for over 50 years and has a clearly visible toilet block.

Oh well, won't concern you next year anyway.

**AnnaghRed** · 26/05/2008, 6:05 PM

Originally Posted by Lux Interior

You've never actually stood at the Sydenham End, right?

Otherwise you'd know that it's been terracted for over 50 years and has a clearly visible toilet block.

I've stood on your grassy bank a fair few times over the years, and from what i've seen most other fans prefer it to the terracing as well.

Originally Posted by Lux Interior

Oh well, won't concern you next year anyway.

Have they decided its unfit for cup semis now as well?

**Spoons** · 27/05/2008, 1:29 PM

"Dean Fitzgerald"........ex Shels ??....there's a blast from the past!
He was brutal really wasn't he!.....did well to make a few bob in fairness out of football for a fella who couldn't play!

garyderry · 27/05/2008, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by AnnaghRed

You've never ventured round to the Sydenham End at the Oval then?

didnt seem too bad last few years in the Setanta

**Steve Bruce** · 28/05/2008, 12:42 PM

There is a bit of muck you have to walk past to get onto the terracing on the sydenham end, but all in all it is no where near the worst in the league.

Glentoran should roof the ground, it would make the atmosphere better and the atmosphere would stay within the ground.

**Graemerz** · 28/05/2008, 7:44 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

There is a bit of muck you have to walk past to get onto the terracing on the sydenham end, but all in all it is no where near the worst in the league.

Glentoran should roof the ground, it would make the atmosphere better and the atmosphere would stay within the ground.

That would be very costly. The Oval is a huge ground..

**Lux Interior** · 28/05/2008, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by AnnaghRed

I've stood on your grassy bank a fair few times over the years, and from what i've seen most other fans prefer it to the terracing as well.

You do realise away fans don't use the Sydenham End? Oh, you mean home fans ..... well, they stand on the terrace fortnightly and, you know what .... no-one's ever taken a fall down a "muddy bank" because - erm - there isn't one.

Have they decided its unfit for cup semis now as well?

Why would it be? Considering the club just received it's UEFA Licensing.

**Lux Interior** · 28/05/2008, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

There is a bit of muck you have to walk past to get onto the terracing on the sydenham end, but all in all it is no where near the worst in the league.

Why would you walk on a "bit of muck" when there's been a paved section to the terrace for about 15 seasons now?

Glentoran should roof the ground, it would make the atmosphere better and the atmosphere would stay within the ground.

Not sure why the Glens should roof the terraced ends just to accommodate Linfield's 'choir' once a season. Anyways, the only way the atmos would be improved would be to unseat the unreserved end.

**Steve Bruce** · 29/05/2008, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Lux Interior

Why would you walk on a "bit of muck" when there's been a paved section to the terrace for about 15 seasons now?

Not sure why the Glens should roof the terraced ends just to accommodate Linfield's 'choir' once a season. Anyways, the only way the atmos would be improved would be to unseat the unreserved end.

I was on the terracing behind the goals against Cliftonville in the Irish Cup. There was no way of getting onto that terracing than to go through muck (albeit only 3 feet of much).

However I could be wrong, it was a bad day and this concrete you talk of could have been flooded and looks like muck.

Also it was an observation about the Oval, on the terracing the atmosphere drifts into the air and out of the ground. The atmopshere at the Linfield end is dead on because we have a big roof that keeps it in. It was more to do with improvement for Irish League not just for Linfield.

But you can be defensive if you like. No problem for me.

**Steve Bruce** · 29/05/2008, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Graemerz

That would be very costly. The Oval is a huge ground..

Costly yes, but do it in stages. Institute has had millions spent on there ground in the last 5 or 6 years. They got grants in place and I think they will eventually have one of the best Irish League grounds.

**Steve Bruce** · 29/05/2008, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by Lux Interior

You do realise away fans don't use the Sydenham End? Oh, you mean home fans ..... well, they stand on the terrace fortnightly and, you know what .... no-one's ever taken a fall down a "muddy bank" because - erm - there isn't one.

Why would it be? Considering the club just received it's UEFA Licensing.

Your club has a UEFA license, but your ground doesn't. Glentoran have elected Mourneview as their home venue in europe. Please keep up

**EalingGreen** · 29/05/2008, 3:10 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

Costly yes, but do it in stages. Institute has had millions spent on there ground in the last 5 or 6 years. They got grants in place and I think they will eventually have one of the best Irish League grounds.

Whilst it is still unknown/undecided whether the Glens will stay at the Oval or move elsewhere, they aren't going to spend a penny more than is absolutely necessary on the existing facilities.

Which is fair enough, I suppose - the real problem is the Board's inability/unwillingness to make what is a crucial decision.

Meanwhile, the team, as well as the Stadium, continues to deteriorate