A whole new ball game
Cork City celebrate winning last season's league title but some clubs are now worried about changes being made to the competition
Wednesday January 25th 2006
Soccer
LAST September, the strategic management consultants Genesis painted a bleak picture of the Eircom League and described it as being trapped in a downward spiral.
Its White Paper recommended proceeding with the proposal that the League merge with the FAI and we've now reached the point where a decision has to be made.
On Saturday, the Eircom League Management Committee will be asked to approve a declaration of intent in relation to the merger and agree to several key points.
These include provisions for the 2006 season, including no promotion or relegation, and agreement to wind up the Eircom League at the end of the season.
The clubs have been asked to agree to apply for membership of the new FAI-run National League and accept that finishing positions in 2006 will form part of the criteria for determining the structure for 2007.
The Eircom League clubs accepted the findings and recommendations of Genesis but it's the manner in which the league is going to operate post-merger that is now causing concern.
And that could pose difficulties for the merger as Saturday's proposal will have to be put before a Special General Meeting next month and will need a two-thirds majority to pass.
Other than the sporting criteria, the draft document circulated to clubs yesterday does not outline what other criteria will be used to decide which clubs are accepted into the new FAI-National League and that's what is causing most angst.
Some clubs say they are reluctant to vote on a proposal when they don't know what the full picture is, while others believe that the entire League should put their faith in the FAI and their Chief Executive John Delaney.
However, there are certainly some key questions which need to be answered.
Why do we need a merger?
According to Genesis, the FAI is best-placed to ensure that the Eircom League is run for the benefit of football in Ireland. In addition the FAI has greater resources which would be directed towards the League.
What will it entail?
The FAI will appoint the management team to run the League and will decide the rules and regulations. Clubs would sign a participation agreement and would have to abide by those rules and regulations.
What will the League look like in 2007?
There will be a Premier Division and a First Division. The Premier will have ten or 12 teams with the remainder in the First Division.
How will they be selected?
All 22 clubs will apply for membership of the new FAI-run Eircom League and the FAI will use soon to be formulated selection criteria to decide which clubs it will put into the Premier Division with the rest making up the lower flight. League positions in 2006 will only form part of the criteria. The rest is likely to centre around facilities, business plans, level of support and marketability.
Will there be any surprises?
Yes. Some clubs currently in the Premier Division might not make the cut because they don't have high levels of support, their facilities are not up to standard or they don't have the potential to attract investment. They might conceivably win the Premier Division next season but if they don't fulfil the other yet to be announced requirement they won't be in the top flight.
Is this going to be a beauty contest?
It all depends on the criteria. Some clubs already feel that their faces don't fit and they have no chance of making the 2007 Premier Division especially as they will only have a few months to try and make up ground on the rest.
Can First Division clubs be promoted after 2007?
Yes. The First Division champions will be entitled to replace the bottom team in the Premier but only if they fulfil all the criteria needed to play in the top division. If they can't do that then the bottom team survives.
The bottom team in the First Division will face a play-off against the winners of a round-robin play-off featuring intermediate teams eager to climb the footballing ladder.
What will the First Division be like from 2007?
Hard to know but few are predicting it is going to get better than it is. At present it is a footballing wilderness and the feeling is that from 2007 onwards the Premier Division is going to reap all the benefits making the gap between the Premier and First Divisions evenlarger than it is at present.
Will we have some franchise areas?
That's not clear at the moment. Franchise areas would make sense as it would allow the Eircom League club to sit at the top of the football pyramid in their respective areas. We won't know until the full criteria is worked out but it appears unlikely.
What will be the benefits of an FAI-run League?
Well, the long term objective is for the top division to contain full-time professional clubs which will improve the standard of football, make a greater impression in European competition and supply players to the international team. Government support will be sought to improve facilities with the aim of attracting more people to the game.
The FAI will properly market the game and that should attract more sponsors as well as bigger crowds and increased media interest.
© Irish Independent
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