The New FAI Premier League

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From www.galwayunitedfc.ie

The makeup of the 2007 eircom premier league is now in the hands of the IAG, whatever the outcome United remain optimistic.

In spite of their 5-1 away win against Kilkenny City on Saturday Galway United had to settle for third place in the First Division when Dundalk scored in the last ten minutes to snatch the play-off place with a win in Finn Park yesterday.

Now United await the outcome of the deliberations of the Independent Assessment Group to see if they have done enough to be included in the new FAI Premiership due to kick-off in March 2007. The results of the selection process are expected on December 11th.

Now that football matters for the season are complete United are ranked just outside the top 12 of the 21 Eircom League Clubs based on this years results and results from the last four years. This accounts for 50% of the selection process while the other 50% depends on off-pitch criteria. United officials will be praying that their decision two years ago to prioritise advancement of Club structures and compliance with the FAI/UEFA Licence will pay a dividend. The balance of the assessment process is based on the following: 10% on Club facilities, 15% on Finance and Governance, 15% on strategic planning, adherence to Club Licensing and Youth Development and 10% on Attendances, Marketing and Market Potential.

Facilities at Terryland Park are excellent with the pitch proving itself, again this season to be one of the best in the Country. Subject to a favourable planning decision in the coming weeks a new stand will be built on the South side of the ground bringing the seated capacity to over 3,000. This should be built by May of next year if all goes to plan. United have the luxury of training at the best facilities in the Country in Drom home of Salthill Devon.

It is on the financial side that United have taken the biggest gamble in recent years. Choosing to ensure that financial affairs were kept in order as opposed to gambling on success on the pitch was a brave move but one that will ultimately yield a reward. United will show a small trading surplus this year unlike many of the Clubs in the League. The affairs of the Club are overseen by a solid Board with local Community and Soccer interests well represented at the Board table.

United had an advantage going before the IAG in relation to strategic planning in that the Club publicly launched a five year plan in 2004. In its presentation to the IAG the Club demonstrated good progress against the objectives in this plan. From the outset, 3 years ago, Galway United took the FAI/UEFA Licensing process very seriously. In that time the Club has established a good record of compliance in all areas.

On the Youth Development side United’s close association with the Galway & District League will be crucial. The two bodies recently set up a joint initiative under independent Chair Martin Cooke. This initiative is unique in the Country and highly complimentary to the FAI technical development plan.

On the Marketing side United have made excellent progress in the last two years. Attendances have shown an increase of 150% this year and there is potential for a lot more.

United can be optimistic, whatever the outcome of the IAG deliberations. The Club is operating off a solid base with excellent prospects for the immediate future particularly on the pitch where, under the leadership of Tony Cousins the team has made significant progress in a few short months.

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I presume that’s ex-Liverpool and Shamrock Rovers striker Tony Cousins who is managing Galway is it?

The composition of the new league must be very frutstrating for fans of the marginal clubs but I think it has to be done. When in Scotland over the past couple of days I was struck by the amount of SPL/Scottish league teams in such a small catchment area: Hearts, Hibs, Livingston, Falkirk, Motherwell, Celtic, Ragers, Clyde, Partick, Motherwell, Queen of the South etc are all in the Glasgow-Edinburgh commuter belt which is 45 minutes train ride from eachother.

So from the two big cities you have Celtic and Rangers and Hearts and Hibs - always welcome to have city rivalries. Outside that though you have teams from distinct districts. Falkirk, Motherwell and Livingston are towns in their own right. There is a far better spread of teams who represent distinct demographics. Dublin have UCD, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne with no real geographic base. St Pat’s are true to Inchicore. Bohs have a north Dublin catchment area but they’re moving further out. Bray at least represent a particular town and therefore are more viable in that context. And last season you had Dublin City trying to generate interest as well. It’s never going to work in that structure.

So in order to make the league more viable it was important to look at the structure and potential of teams - are they ringfencing the 12 teams though or will there be promotion and relegation from the start? Also does the IAG share any personnel with the same league advisers who last season granted a license to Dublin City because they were of sound financial backing only to see them fold mid-season and bring the whole league back to the courts again?

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From today’s Independent:

Millionaire opens Eircom League door for Wexford

A TEAM from Wexford backed by construction millionaire Mick Wallace is the strong favourite to fill the void left by the demise of Dublin City in next year’s Eircom League.

The FAI recently opened up applications for a 22nd club to join the senior game at First Division level next year as the new era under the stewardship of the association begins.

And the Irish Independent understands that Wallace’s Wexford experiment is expected to be successful in their application once they can meet with Club Licensing requirements. Officially, the FAI says there will be no confirmation on a new club until January and there has been more than one application for the vacancy.

However, it is believed that a team from Wexford would fulfil the criteria perfectly given that it would extend the regional spread of a league that is often castigated for being too Dublin centric.

Wallace is well known in Eircom League circles due to his close relationship with former St Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City boss Pat Dolan.

And he is also credited with being a huge influence in the career of Reading striker Kevin Doyle after recognising his talent as a teenager with the Wexford Youths and recommending him to Dolan.

Wallace has always spoken of a desire to establish an Eircom League team in Wexford, a county which consistently produces strong youth sides demonstrating the potential that exists in the vicinity.

Wallace is developing a state of the art facility for soccer on a 14 acre site just outside Wexford town, which he hopes will eventually fulfill the requirements to secure a First Division licence.

The FAI confirmed yesterday that of the 21 current clubs, 15 have attained a licence at Premier Division standard and five at First Division standard.

It emerged late last week that Limerick haven’t received any licence and they now have five days to appeal.

Next Monday, the FAI Board will, after taking the recommendations of an Independent Assessment Group, announce the twelve teams that will make up the new top flight.

In addition to the eleven current Premier Division teams, Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, Galway United and Cobh Ramblers would all qualify under licensing for a place in the new league if selected by the FAI.

While Rovers should be a certainty to make it and Cobh have little chance, both Dundalk and Galway will realistically be thinking they might replace Bray and Waterford if they are to make the elite league.

Daniel McDonnell

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Where would Wexford play Bandage? Is there a soccer ground with a stand in the Town?

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No, Wallace is building a football complex in Crossabeg which is about 4 or 5 miles outside Wexford town on the main road to Enniscorthy. Initially it was going to be a couple of all weather pitches, a couple of astroturf pitches, a clubhouse including gym etc but if this is to be believed then he must be planning on building some kind of stand there too. I suppose he has the money and track record to get something like this done but I would have thought there would be time constraints.

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Fenlon has resigned as Shels boss. What’s the thinking there - is he going to Derry? I’d say it might be the beginning of an exodus from the club. When players aren’t being paid, they read the stories about debts to the revenue, and they see the manager leave I can imagine a few will follow him out the door.

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F**king great news about Wexford if it happens, might finally get into following the Eircom League now. Always knew it was Wallace’s plan to get a team in but I was under the impression that it was about 10 years away. From what I heard he had been trying to get a team into the u21 league as a starting point.

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Decided in favour of Galway United over both Dundalk and Waterford. Very harsh on the latter two, especially as they were compelled to play and end of season promotion/relegation playoff over 2 legs which was immaterial in the end. I can see that something needed to be done about the league structure but there should have been clearer criteria established from the start.

Saw Mick Wallace on the news who was very hopeful of Wexford getting a league invite. Plans to upgrade that new complex on the outskirts of Wexford Town to include a 3,000 capacity first pitch apparently. Timescale is 2 years or so.

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Yeah, was reading an interview with Wallace in the local press earlier. He expects to be accepted into the First Division and reckons his facilities will match up with anybody in the league (not the size of the ground but the standard of the complex, pitches, dressing rooms, gym etc). Great for clarkeycat and Galway but it is a kick in the teeth for the other clubs you mention. Another good thing about the Wallace thing is that he plans to play a lot of the young Wexford players he has developed (he’s the Wexford U-16 and Youth team coach) so at least there will be a local element to the team rather than a load of Eircom League journeymen coming down from Dublin to play.

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Fire threat man surrenders at FAI headquarters
13/12/2006 - 15:53:30

A man who barricaded himself into FAI headquarters earlier this afternoon has given himself up.

Maxi McAllister from Dundalk threatened to blow up the building on Merrion Square in Dublin, because Dundalk Football Club was not allowed into the new Irish Premiership.

After speaking to the media from a window, he left the building and then doused himself in petrol. He appeared to be in his 30s.

He was then taken into Garda custody and removed from the scene in a Garda van.

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That is sensational!

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Mad isn’t it? He’s raised the bar for protesting Eircom League fans.

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A fiery character by all accounts.

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Byrne defiant amid Shelbourne uncertainty

Thursday January 4th 2007

THE uncertainty over the future of the remaining Shelbourne players continued yesterday with no resolution reached after talks with chief executive Ollie Byrne at Tolka Park .

Already last year’s league winners have been decimated by the departures of several key out of contracts stars that followed the example of the coaching staff led by new former manager Pat Fenlon who departed to take the reins at Derry City.

And the remaining players who are still under contract are seeking to be registered as free agents, with the support of the PFAI, on the basis that they have failed to receive two consecutive weeks wages from their employers.

Sean Dillon was the first player to take this action although Shels caused confusion on Tuesday when they released a statement saying he had been sold to Dundee United.

That was premature but there is still a chance that the deal will progress with the Dubliner in Scotland last night for talks.

However, even if his sale does go through, his former colleagues could face a legal battle to establish themselves as free to go with Shels prepared to fight their cause tooth and nail.

Byrne said last night that he was “quietly confident” about his chances of retaining some of the key players still at the club.

Yet it’s understood that while several of those players are on the verge of or already have agreed contracts with potential suitors, those deals could fall through if Shels were successful in claiming that they are entitled to a transfer fee.

With the January transfer window currently open, those players linked with moves to Scotland are in a race against time with Bobby Ryan set to put pen to paper on a deal with Dunfermline and Colin Hawkins possibly following his team-mate to join Stephen Kenny at East End Park.

And while Byrne is battling to keep some of the playing staff, he is also involved in a dispute over his own future with the investors waiting in the wings to plough funds into the ailing Dublin club - Ossie Kilkenny and Jerry O’Reilly - having indicated they would like his authority to be curtailed in the running of the club.

“I would find it odd the owner of the club having no small role in the running of a day-to-day basis. It’s not practical or workable,” said Byrne last night.

"There is an opportunity suggested in which finances would guarantee x amount every week until January 2008 and we’re very much appreciative of the individuals making this offer.

"Yet there are difficulties there. I unfortunately have given my life to Shelbourne Football Club, some people might say it’s my life.

"I just feel it’s a little too much to ask me to relinquish all activity in the club and that’s what the debate is about at the moment.

“I’m not prepared to accept it, as it’s presented, at this moment in time.”

Daniel McDonnell

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http://ipswichtown.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=911&p=2&stid=8436022

I’m a little worried at the exodus of quality EL players heading across the channel.

Quite like the quotes by the Cork chairman in the above article. Also nice to see a lad from my club back home doing well for himself.

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I’m no hardcore Eircom League fan but it certainly does seem the league is fast becoming a victim of the Kevin Doyle factor. Very disappointing to see considering the improvements that have been taking place over the past few years.

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Any chance of a copy and paste CC?

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Irish Trialist Scores Two

By Philip Ham
Date: 22/1/2007

TWTD understands that trialist Vinny Faherty scored twice as Town’s reserves defeated Millwall 3-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Playford Road last Tuesday.

Irish striker Faherty, 19, currently plays for Salthill Devon and was in the side which was crowned Eircom U21 League champions last month.

Woodbridge Town frontman Joe Francis added the other goal in the Millwall game as the Blues continue to keep an eye on the 20-year-old’s progress.

Town have taken a number of players on trial during the transfer window and looked at Polish international right-back Marcin Wasilewski. The Blues management watched the 26-year-old in action but were unimpressed and he subsequently joined Anderlecht in Belgium.

Story continues below…

Meanwhile, Robbie Winters’s agent has told the Norwegian press that he contacted the Blues a fortnight ago regarding the SK Brann player’s availability. The 32-year-old former Aberdeen player has spent the last week on trial at Oldham and manager John Sheridan is considering whether to offer him a deal. Last weekend’s tabloids first linked Town with the one-time Scotland international.
Ex-Blue Tommy Miller’s Sunderland career may not be over, according to boss Roy Keane. Miller, who was close to signing for Preston earlier this month, scored twice in a 3-2 reserves victory over Gretna and Keane says the former Hartlepool man is back in his plans: "Tommy’s been excellent since he came back and I have to say that he does come into consideration for future games at this stage.

"We spoke to Preston North End about the possibility of him moving there permanently. But that fell through and nothing will come of that now.

"Obviously we don’t know exactly what might happen over the next couple of weeks but as things stand he’s a Sunderland player and he’s done well since his return.

“And I have to say he has given himself a good chance of getting involved over the next few weeks with his efforts since he returned.”

Cork City chairman Brian Lennox has hit out at British clubs for their attitude when trying to sign players from the Eircom League. The Blues finally captured Cork’s George O’Callaghan last week, while Reading are keen on signing Rebels’ defender Alan Bennett.

Lennox blasted: "Who do these people think they are to come here and talk to us like second class citizens? Do they think Britain is still an Imperial power and Ireland still one of their colonies?

"Do they think we should tip our cap and say ‘yes sir, no sir’ just because we have assets who they think should belong to them.

"I’m sick to death of their arrogance, of the way they speak to us, of the way they offer pennies for our top guys who are worth a hell of a lot more to them.

"It’s about time every club in Ireland stood up and said no more. Having said all that, it would help if the people of Ireland began to show a bit more respect for our league than for theirs.

"If they did then it would be easier for us to hold onto our players. As it is, things are difficult because these clubs come over here and sell this dream to players.

“They talk big but they don’t spend big. They don’t pay the requisite fee. Yet when Reading were chasing a defender from Colchester, they were bidding in excess of 1 million. Yet for Alan Bennett, they only offered a fraction of that price. It’s time someone stood up to them.”

Former Town centre-half Tony Vaughan is set to join Conference North side Hucknall Town, the club which sacked Kevin Wilson as manager last week. Former Town loanee Andy Legg is now in charge.

Reported Town target Pawel Abbott is set to sign for Swansea City from Huddersfield Town on Monday. The Swans have failed in a bid to charter a train to next Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Portman Road due to maintenance work on the line. Instead the Welsh club are laying on subsidised coaches for the 4,000-plus fans expected to make the trip to Suffolk.

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Thanks Clarkey.

BT what do you think the improvements that have taken place over the last few years have been?

From what I can see:

  • Shelbourne bought the championship with money they didn’t have and are now on the verge of bankruptcy and stripped of their manager and best players
  • Shamrock Rovers, the biggest club in the country by a mile, have had no stadium for years and don’t seem to be getting any closer to resolving it
  • One of the league’s “franchises” went bust during the season resulting in numerous ramifications and appeals
  • Derry City are making great progress but you’re talking about a couple of thousand fans which won’t sustain any real long-term improvement.

Brian Lennox is dead right with most of his points but the sad truth is that when Shelbourne get themselves into the situtation that they are now in then every club in Britain and Ireland is going to be hunting for scraps. Players are attracted to playing in Britain because of the far superior structures over there. Look at the number of lads playing in the SPL now. They know that they’re not playing for clubs that are much better than EL teams but they do know that they will be paid every week, that they’ll be playing in front of much bigger crowds and that they have about 15 games a season against Celtic, Rangers, Hibs or Hearts.

The Eircom League can’t offer that exposure but until there is radical reform of the league nothing will change IMO. We have a new name for the league, and supposed new entry criteria but it’s laughable that a team like Shels can’t afford to play its players but passes all the admission and licensing criteria for the top division. The solution to the problems of the Eircom League wasn’t to merge it with the FAI. The FAI itself is controlled by self-serving suits who have done precious little to develop soccer structures in this country. What really needed changing was the FAI itself but instead they’ve just been handed all the control. It’s a fecking joke.

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Results have improved in Europe but you’re spot on about the rest. I like this smiley O0