All Ireland League

**avvenalaf** · 20/07/2008, 8:59 PM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle4364999.ece

Worth a read. I think it's the way forward.

**Only1Rovers** · 20/07/2008, 9:22 PM

Interesting.

I don't know how the politics of the FAI/IFA works but should the clubs mentioned want to join what is stopping them? Are they contracted to the Eircom League and its Northern counterpart?

In relation to Rovers - would the teams from smaller population catchment areas such as Rovers have the opportunity to get promoted? From a business point of view I can understand the decision to choses teams such as Limerick and Galway because technically they could draw larger crowds then say Harps/Rovers etc. however, if the League was to hypothetically start August of next year where would the funding come from for Galway and Limerick and the Irish League teams to build a team that would challenge the Bohs and Drogs?

Surely if Rovers were given the chance to join we would pull as big a crowd as Galway, plus we have the core of a team which can compete with the big boys.

Sligo Rovers would apply to a catchment of close to 80 thousand people if you include the surrounding counties, surly sufficient numbers to justify a club in the new league.

**Fivesilver** · 20/07/2008, 9:30 PM

Wouldn't you think the recent "adjustment" of Galway's famous business model would be a lesson to people who think success in football can all be explained and accurately predicted by spreadsheets?

This idea that somehow it would help smaller teams to improve by playing against each other every week is a very poor smokescreen for planning to put them out of the picture completely. It always seems that in Ireland a guy in an expensive suit with a persuasive line in business-speak can convince people to swallow anything.

Without a shadow of a doubt, this plan as currently constituted would permanently put an end to Sligo Rovers as a top-flight team more surely than any financial crisis.

**Rovers Maniac** · 20/07/2008, 10:00 PM

Totally agree Fivesilver it would end up putting us out of business and all because maybe a team like Limerick or Galway came from a bigger population centre. Sure Limerick FC were let die by the FAI but i never heard a massive out cry by the fans either. We have probably the 4th highest crowd figures this year and are club has been around for 80 years so the town and county even those it small in terms of population it has shown that people get behind the club and hopefully that will continue.

I am honestly not to woried over something like this as it is a pile of rubbish and Linfield have said time and time again they are not interested in an AIL and without them it is unworkable.

**avvenalaf** · 20/07/2008, 10:38 PM

I'm not sure that the link showed all the article as it is the online version but the plan is that the league would operate under license from IFA and FAI thereby neatly sidestepping any political problem. Platinum would run the league. Two Charmion's league and two UEFA cup places to be provided by both associations. There would be mo relegation for first two seasons and thereafter the winners of the Irish league and lOI would play off for the one promotional spot caused by relegation. Not true that Linfield are anti as senior DIP figures, as well as our Dept of Sports are keen on the idea. This WILL happen and all that is stalling progress at the moment is the fact that Delaney won't talk to Drury because he was Kerr's agent at the time of the bust up. Now Drury is very well connected in the press and Indo had a right cut at FAI today over the funding of Lansdowne Road, suggesting that the deveolpment is in jeopardy because FAI have not got the money. Bull****, as FAI have credit lines in place specifically for this project but it is no co-incidence that the **** is being stirred in the week of the FAI agm in Castlebar.

This project would be good news for Rovers because....
1. It would give the club three seasons to get house in order to make a shot at promotion.
1. The whole idea call for the return of all leagues to winter soccer.

**Redie** · 21/07/2008, 9:10 AM

I have to say avvenalaf I'm amazed you think this is a good idea.

**red bellied** · 21/07/2008, 9:55 AM

I would be for the idea if it was done fairly, the eight top teams from the LOI plus four from the North. No relegation or promotion for three seasons is plain daft. So what kind of interest would this generate in Rovers knowing that they were going to be stuck in what would be the new first division for three seasons

. I think we have been there before.

**avvenalaf** · 21/07/2008, 11:17 AM

We were stuck in that division for five years when there was two promotional places available.

Why should anyone be surprised that i think this is a good idea ?????????

**red_away** · 21/07/2008, 11:18 AM

Avvenalaf - the senility has definitely set in!

We would dissappear into the ether - look at the model in england or scotland this model favours the big clubs and they dont want us!

The EPL has dissassociated itself from the lower divisions and only came in for the championship TV when they realised that its the 4th biggest league in europe and still the clubs there struggle as they were not on the original gravy train.

Whats drury's angle.....let me guess..the love of the game?

Definite no from me to this proposal!

**Fivesilver** · 21/07/2008, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by avvenalaf

There would be mo relegation for first two seasons and thereafter the winners of the Irish league and lOI would play off for the one promotional spot caused by relegation.

Says it all. Set up your private members club, then give them a few years of constant big gates and high-level competition to widen the gap and insulate against any of the non-invited clubs ever making serious inroads. It's painfully clear, if you'd just open your eyes, that the whole idea of this is to protect Galway, Limerick and Shams' place in the club, particularly after what's happened with Galway in the past couple of seasons. Given a couple of seaons of shoring them up and undermining the teams down below, they'd most likely be safe.
No relegation? Give me a break.

Drury is very well connected in the press and Indo had a right cut at FAI today

Am I the only one who sees a problem with this? The Indo having a go quite obviously not because of anything it figured out for itself, but because it's being spoonfed material by Drury. There's a long-established tradition of impressionable hacks getting starry-eyed over a smooth operator schmoozing and flattering them, and serving his agenda. It seems to me, though, that it works by extension with members of the public as well.

**avvenalaf** · 21/07/2008, 1:06 PM

There's a long-established tradition of impressionable hacks getting starry-eyed over a smooth operator schmoozing and flattering them, and serving his agenda.

Now, that's enough about Sean Connor

Disappearing into the ether ???????

Pardon me, but where exactly are we going when we need 130k by the end of August to SURVIVE in any shape or form. This is a realistic look at the future of Irish football and if we are good enough and well enough managed off the field we can sup at the top table in the fullness of time. If not, well at least we will compete at a level where we can compete and stop fooling ourselves about being a big club (or a club bankrolled by 'developers').

There is an aroma of coffee wafting through the air for anyone who wishes to wake up and smell it.

**Only1Rovers** · 21/07/2008, 1:14 PM

I like the idea of the league, particularly with Rovers in it. However, if it was to go ahead as laid out in the Sunday Times article and Rovers could not get into it for at least two seasons, it would have a detrimental effect on the club.

If the league was launched with such large amounts of prize money, the sponsorship would increase massively for those clubs involved. Rovers would continue to struggle to raise funds. If Rovers did get promoted to the league we would find ourselves even further behind the "big" clubs than ever before.

As they would have a two year advantage on us,

Those "lesser" clubs would be like fish out of water in the new league when they would be promoted, it would be a missive struggle for them to compete with the clubs who have become established.

It would be the same as the English Premier league the teams that come up go straight back down, more than likely.

**avvenalaf** · 21/07/2008, 1:20 PM

But of course, on the other hand, the whole pack of cards could be about to collapse anyway. From the Times today.............

Half the clubs in the top four divisions are significantly behind in payments to the taxman and the Football League is discussing ways to combat the problem. About 46 clubs, including some in the Barclays Premier League, owe �15 million in tax that should have been paid on players' salaries, including national insurance. Some of the debts stretch back nearly two years, forcing Revenue & Customs to try to agree repayment schemes. Arrears could force a club into administration' - The Times.

**Fivesilver** · 21/07/2008, 1:28 PM

Originally Posted by avvenalaf

There is an aroma of coffee wafting through the air for anyone who wishes to wake up and smell it.

we can sup at the top table in the fullness of time...

Make sure you check the label next time you're down the shop - I reckon you've been hammering away at the decaf all week.

**red bellied** · 21/07/2008, 1:32 PM

Originally Posted by avvenalaf

There's a long-established tradition of impressionable hacks getting starry-eyed over a smooth operator schmoozing and flattering them, and serving his agenda.

Now, that's enough about Sean Connor

Disappearing into the ether ???????

Pardon me, but where exactly are we going when we need 130k by the end of August to SURVIVE in any shape or form. This is a realistic look at the future of Irish football and if we are good enough and well enough managed off the field we can sup at the top table in the fullness of time. If not, well at least we will compete at a level where we can compete and stop fooling ourselves about being a big club (or a club bankrolled by 'developers').

There is an aroma of coffee wafting through the air for anyone who wishes to wake up and smell it.

There no big clubs in Irish football. Attendances predict how big a club are. There are some clubs who seem to have endless cash and these should be known as the money clubs not the big clubs.

They had enough practice trying to steady the ship with fve years in the first division. Imagine having to go back there for a few seasons and effectively having nothing to play for. The interest would be zero probably just locals going through the motions for two seasons if they managed to last that long.
The gap would widen with the money is on offer in the proposed AIL just like the Premiership in England with promoted clubs getting relegated every season.

**akearins** · 21/07/2008, 1:54 PM

lads from what I hear this is dead in the water,FAI couldnt sanction it as it would be againt the policy of FAI who have a duty to all clubs,
Also like the proposal that platimum take a 10% of incomes

**Redie** · 21/07/2008, 1:56 PM

Half the clubs in the top four divisions are significantly behind in payments to the taxman and the Football League is discussing ways to combat the problem. About 46 clubs, including some in the Barclays Premier League, owe �15 million in tax that should have been paid on players' salaries, including national insurance. Some of the debts stretch back nearly two years, forcing Revenue & Customs to try to agree repayment schemes. Arrears could force a club into administration' - The Times.

And in the same breath it is reported that Chelsea are about to offer 150 million for Kaka

**avvenalaf** · 21/07/2008, 4:05 PM

Originally Posted by akearins

lads from what I hear this is dead in the water,FAI couldnt sanction it as it would be againt the policy of FAI who have a duty to all clubs,
Also like the proposal that platimum take a 10% of incomes

Trust me, Alan, this is far from dead in the water. This Drury guy is one serious dude and if they succeed in shifting Delaney................

**Only1Rovers** · 21/07/2008, 6:47 PM

Originally Posted by akearins

lads from what I hear this is dead in the water,FAI couldnt sanction it as it would be againt the policy of FAI who have a duty to all clubs,
Also like the proposal that platimum take a 10% of incomes

One of the most worrying statements in the Sunday Times article is:

the shocking complexion of the senior domestic game is not on the agenda of the FAI's AGM

The AGM is being held in Castlebar this week.

Where is the duty to the clubs in that? It is expected Cork City Will raise the issue under other business.

It has been rumored that Akaga, the owners of Cork City are thinking off offloading the club.

Clubs in trouble...us, Harps, Galway, Waterford, Cobh.

Trapattoni will be the main attraction at the AGM. I for one have a greater interest in the League of Ireland and the promotion and development of young Irish players from home at home. Sure, its nice to see the Republic do well but what about the grass roots?

Currently I don't have confidence in the FAI's ability to support clubs such as us.