Don’t know if anyone has seen the ‘debate’ doing the rounds on social media regarding Irish football fans supporting English teams rather than Irish teams but it brings up some interesting views
http://balls.ie/football/heres-reacted-dermot-keelys-moronic-liverpool-fans-comments/
Irish fans (League of Ireland & Irish League) have always supported English/Scottish teams. It’s nothing new. They reckon these supporters contribute over €100m each year to English Football by travelling to games, buying kits, etc. I would say it’s probably more. Some people reckon that these supporters should be going to watch their local teams and help put money into a league badly in need of a cash injection rather than helping rich clubs in the UK get richer. The standard of football in Ireland (North & South) is poor but some would argue if attendances increased, income would increase and it would lead to a better standard. It’s a chicken and egg situation.
The recent Shamrock Rovers V Liverpool match in Dublin was brought up. Over 40,000 people paid €30-40 to go and watch a reserve Liverpool team play. Is this right?
My view is that wherever you are in the UK or Ireland, fans always migrate to the big teams. My girlfriend is from Rotherham and I’ve been there numerous times. There is a die-hard Rotherham support but most fans in the area support Sheffield United or Leeds as these are seen as bigger clubs. Some fans of League 1 or 2 teams would also a 2nd team in the PL. Is this any different? The only difference I see is that we don’t have any have any ‘big’ teams.
Thoughts?
Irish Football-A Debate
posted on 21/5/14
Is your girlfriend a miller, a blade or a good judge of a club?
posted on 21/5/14
She's a blade although she still thinks Phil Jagielka plays for them so not exactly up to speed with current events
posted on 21/5/14
Given that the League of Ireland plays through the summer there should be no reason why people can't go to watch their local clubs play too and the standard isn't as bad as made out.
Coleman, McCourt, Long, MacLean - there've been some very good players to play there. ( Not to mention Best, Banks, Marsh and Charlton in the 70'S ).
But there's big competition from the G.A.A. during the summer.
Irish League is a different proposition altogether - no Sunday games, woefully one sided resources, sectarian hangovers etc. etc
I personally think an All Ireland League under a decent sponsor could really thrive, but it would take a few years.
Problems though
International status, competitive calendar & it would require the 2 associations to do what's right for competitive football on the island, rather than what's right for them.
posted on 21/5/14
comment by Wild_ Rover (U5211)
posted 27 minutes ago
She's a blade although she still thinks Phil Jagielka plays for them so not exactly up to speed with current events
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My mom found out Alan Smith didn't play for Leeds anymore yesterday
posted on 21/5/14
comment by BIGIRISHGOONER (U8171)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
Given that the League of Ireland plays through the summer there should be no reason why people can't go to watch their local clubs play too and the standard isn't as bad as made out.
Coleman, McCourt, Long, MacLean - there've been some very good players to play there. ( Not to mention Best, Banks, Marsh and Charlton in the 70'S ).
But there's big competition from the G.A.A. during the summer.
Irish League is a different proposition altogether - no Sunday games, woefully one sided resources, sectarian hangovers etc. etc
I personally think an All Ireland League under a decent sponsor could really thrive, but it would take a few years.
Problems though
International status, competitive calendar & it would require the 2 associations to do what's right for competitive football on the island, rather than what's right for them.
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Agree with this.
posted on 23/5/14
All Ireland league and team is the way to go although the shirt, flag and anthem debate will be a nightmare!!
Take the Ireland Rugby team, they play under the Tricolour and the Soldier Song which is a no no for most NI fans! Someone can work that one out.
posted on 27/5/14
To be fair, they only play the Soldier Son in Dublin - anywhere else they play it's Ireland's Call.
The shirt - wellll, they both play in green, I suppose that's a start.
Flagwise it would be a nightmare though.
To be honest though, I've no problem with 2 separate teams, but to garner an sort of level of support, there really needs to be one league with a bit of cash invested.
posted on 1/6/14
Chicken or the egg comment:
Local games are played before 90% empty stadiums, very little atmosphere. Also trouble making punks and thugs seem to be in abundance. Families ( especially fathers & sons) rarely attend local games anymore. Why not stay home, and once or twice a month go to a decent game across the pond?
posted on 2/6/14
The interest is there at the top end of the Leaue of Ireland though. Sligo Rovers averaged 4000 per match and Shamrock Rovers averaged around 3000 per match for the first 7 games of the season.
The League average is around 1200 for the first half of the season.
http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/10511/a-breakdown-of-league-of-ireland-attendances/
Linfield average around 2000 per game ( which is a joke at a stadium like Windsor ) and the Glens and Ballymena regularly draw 1000 plus ( as well as Cliftonville off the bac of recent success )
I think the basic interest level is there and there is potential, but it would take some investment and a few years working out the teething problems.
I take on board what you say about some of the fans atending, but to be fair, Northern Ireland games have been completely changed due to a lot of good work by the IFA and I think with the will the same could be done at league level.