Franchise system only way forward?

alanb · 03/01/2002, 7:45 PM

You're all gonna think I've gone psycho.... but I think that a franchise system is the only way forward for the eL.

This works in other sports why not in soccer?

For as long as you have clubs such as Cobh Ramblers, Galway United (this season), etc etc [no insults intended to the FANS] in the league you are not gonna have the level of professionalism required to bring people through the turnstiles. [BTW I'm a Galway United fan]. It has gotta be more than about a perpetual struggle for survival.

While I acknowledge the fact that certain clubs have long traditions, I'm sure they could apply for franchises!

Research could easily find which areas could viably & profitably (well at least break even!) host a club which would have fully enclosed all-seater grounds, catering facilities, video replays on the big screen and make it an all round family day out not a game of dodge the mud.

If the potential franchisees didn't have the finance and facilities then there would be no place for them.

The league itself would by its nature and structure HAVE to be more professional too.

The idea needs a bit of further thought but it would work if done right.

What do ppl think?

**James** · 03/01/2002, 7:50 PM

Originally posted by alanb

a club which would have fully enclosed all-seater grounds, catering facilities, video replays on the big screen and make it an all round family day out not a game of dodge the mud.

hmm
Pop Quiz: Arrange the following 4 words to make a sentence..
Pie the in sky

**James** · 03/01/2002, 7:51 PM

oh look there goes a pig flying over an all seater floodlit turners cross

alanb · 03/01/2002, 7:52 PM

do u really think cork city would earn a franchise ?

*grin*

tho there would be one [at least] to go to cork alright!

**James** · 03/01/2002, 7:53 PM

earn one no
get one yea..in your dream world anythings possible i reckon

Hartigan for Ireland

**dahamsta** · 04/01/2002, 1:07 AM

I haven't thought about this at all, but even with that, I like this guys thinking. It has to beat the current bunch of arse we're faced with.

What's the chance of getting a genuine debate on the LOI anytime soon now? Slim? None?

adam

**James** · 04/01/2002, 1:11 AM

none me thinks
i'll block any attempts at it

**Éanna** · 04/01/2002, 5:29 PM

debate my arse. the FAI don't give a toss, the politicians don't give a toss, most of the country doesn't give a toss! and it's raining, i got soaked and i'm in a bad mood!

**Éanna** · 04/01/2002, 5:31 PM

and someone just accused me of being cranky! HUH!

**dahamsta** · 04/01/2002, 6:33 PM

Cranky barstard.

adam

**Éanna** · 04/01/2002, 10:24 PM

ah tis alright. i've cheered up a bit now anyway.

**James** · 04/01/2002, 11:09 PM

phew thats alright alright so eanna the rest of us can get back to our normal hum drum lives and stop worrying

**Éanna** · 06/01/2002, 4:40 PM

yes you can. i'm cranky again though- my head is still aching after longford.

**pete** · 07/01/2002, 11:23 AM

I presume the franchise ideas are as a result of the last few years irish provincial rugby success 'n all.

I don't think franchises per say are necessarily the best way forward but less teams has to be the way forward.

Having gone to a few Munster games over the last few years i think the whole current fad is very new & the novelty factor is definitely quiet high with 14k fullhouse last weekend in limerick & i'd say they could sell 20k tickets easily. People will always turn up to see a winning team but i don't think rugby stirs the same emotions as football. Rugby seems to be more a social thing than football where winnings a priority.

Rugby seems to be able to get away with entertainment over pure results which i don't think football ever could.

Franchises have to entertain above anything else as there isn't the same connection with the franchise as the clubs.

**Jim Smith** · 07/01/2002, 11:53 AM

You have to be careful when considering the rugby example. Give it a few years a bad run by some of the provinces and then take a look at club rugby.
The reason I bring this up is that the franchise mentality has destroyed rugby in the Borders of Scotland. The local following used to be unbelieveable but now people are just not interested in following feeder teams who lose all of their best players to one of Scotland's "big two" and they have little affinity with an Edinburgh club.
I fear that a franchise system would lead to about 4 clubs in the country (3 of them in Dublin) that could survive and the destruction of any grass-root support in the rest of the country - there's precious little of it for the eL as it is.

**pete** · 07/01/2002, 11:57 AM

Yeah the whole rugby think is very new at the moment.

I heard that in scotland most of the rugby players came from the borders yet they placed two franchises in the big cities where there was no connection with the players & is supposed to be a massive ****up.

Don't forget the irish rugby provinces are heavily sunsidised by the IRFU.

**Jim Smith** · 07/01/2002, 12:05 PM

The whole thing was mad. Small towns like Gala with populations of 2500 people used to get 3-4000 at club games. EVERYBODY went to home and away games. Now Gala Fairydean (the footie club) get more supporters than the rugby club.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't consider change but it must be carefully considered, marketed and supported by the powers that be and (although I've heard good reports about the commish - but he's only one man) I fear that will not be the case wrt summer football and the ten team league.

**Éanna** · 07/01/2002, 1:02 PM

agree with jim. it should be looked at, but it would have to be very carefully considered and checked out before deciding on anything. look at 10-team league and summer footy as examples of deciding on things without proper planning.