Does anybody think the Irish League will benefit from the turmoil in the SPL ? Hundreds of fans travel every week to see the Old Firm, but with the demise and impending demotion of Rangers, would the same fans be willing to travel over to watch lower league Scottish football ? Likewise, will the local Celtic fans soon tire of the drudgery of League clashes with top flight duds and the inevitible stroll to the title every year ?
I think there is an opportunity here for our local clubs to try save themselves from extinction and attract some of those fans back to Irish League games. Lets face it the standard isn't much worse than SPL and our games are more economically priced for this day and age. More cash generated at the turnstiles would revitalise our clubs, kickstart the league again and MIGHT just make it more competitive. I long to see our stadiums packed to the rafters again, but then I suppose the next hurdle would be the Health & Safety geeks.
Thoughts ?
Can the Irish League benefit ?
posted on 29/6/12
Nice idea but unfortunately not realistic.
For example, the League of Ireland has operated through the summer for years now and even when there has been no world cup or euro distractions, has struggled with crowd numbers. The reality is the majority of supporters feel more allegiance to clubs in England or Scotland than at home and who can blame them? The standard is pretty poor.
posted on 29/6/12
A few of my mates are Rangers season ticket holders and how they bother to get up at 6 in the morning, on a cold January day, to travel by boat and coach to watch Scottish Football is both commendable and bonkers.
Really feel for them as they are genuine Football people and having gone through similar with Leeds I know what its like.
You could have a valid point as these same people would go with me to several Irish League games a season.
If Rangers dont pull through this I will have to work on them.
posted on 29/6/12
See your point, but the standards have slipped because the majority of our clubs are skint. Personally, apart from my own club, I thought the Irish League clubs did ok last year. Crusaders are the current all Ireland champions, a Cliftonville player got a Premiership move and there are some cracking prospects elsewhere too. The Glens progressed in Europe before the wheels came off too. I think some of them should give it a whirl.
posted on 29/6/12
and they call man utd fans glory hunters
what would that say about the rangers fans who swap teams because of demotion and hard times
posted on 29/6/12
The part of the problem is that a lot of Amateur/Intermediate players play on a saturday afternoon , when the Irish League matches are on.
posted on 29/6/12
what would that say about the rangers fans who swap teams because of demotion and hard times
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it wont happen so no need to get upset
Our norn ireland fans are amongst our most loyal
posted on 29/6/12
The SPL is literally bottom level championship/league1 standard thesedays...
So I agree, it certainly makes no logical sense for these old firm heads to continue shelling out huge amounts of money to travel over and watch such average football, but then we all know irish old firm fans don't do logic and common sense!
Still, the only thing that will realistically save and reinvigorate the irish league (and the league of ireland) would be the two associations pulling their collective fingers out and establishing a fully professional all-ireland super league of say 14 teams.
An exciting product that could generate more revenue, attract more fans and collectively improve playing standards.
This would generate some actual genuine interest and rivalry north and south, instead of what we currently have which is too many small belfast and dublin clubs squabbling with each other and stagnating in their respective leagues, while competing for little more than local bragging rights.
posted on 29/6/12
guys the spl is finished, sponsorship will go and oblivion beckons!!!!
posted on 30/6/12
PEOPLESCLUB;
Interesting idea. Personally, I went to more IPL games last season than I have for some time. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and wonderful value for money! The standard is not as bad as some people say it is. Im convinced the top IPL clubs would give the non Old Firm also rans of the SPL a good run for their money. Moreover, the local game is laced with far more "Characters", both among the players and supporters, than it is across the water. Some local clubs have very welcoming and friendly hospitality facilities which are very much worth sampling. An additional advantage is that NI is so compact that you can be almost anywhere in an hour or so. Our wonderful local scenery adds to the pleasure of the trip. My other half even likes to go along, but thankfully Ive managed to talk her out of going most of the time. My behaviour can do without any further monitoring, thank you very much! I look forward to even more boys only(Sorry Darthy) visits to IPL grounds this season!
posted on 1/7/12
^^^^^ what he said.
The most you would ever have to pay into a local game would be 15 sheets, and that would be for a major cup final. You can bring your kids for a pound at most clubs too.