National League at a vital crossroads

TONIGHT'S meeting of the National League's management committee is, potentially, even more important to the domestic game's future than the image generated by yesterday's Cup final the only live advert which RTE grants the local game.

St Patrick's Athletic, Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians, Sligo Rovers and Cork will present the formula for re organisation outlined in these pages last week.

In place of the ill conceived and much derided format agreed by the League's management committee at their last meeting - whereby the League Cup was extended to 10 group matches and the League, played over a mere 22 games, would start in October - the six clubs propose that next season should follow the current, 33 game format.

Recognising the need for long term change, the six will also propose that a promotion/relegation formula of two up, three down, be established for the next two seasons to reduce the premier division to 10 clubs. Thereafter, promotion would be conditional on ground facilities meeting certain guidelines.

This formula has many benefits. It does not significantly reduce the first division clubs' chances of acquiring premier division status in the interim, and it also grants them three years in which to upgrade their facilities.

Something like this should have been done years ago and once again, the Irish game is a step or 20 behind most other European countries. Look at the effect the Taylor Report had on the English game.

While the abolition of terracing met with much protest, it revolutionised the English game. Almost at a stroke, the English game broadened its spectator horizons, bringing women, families and the middle class to the game. We have nothing like the same financial resources here, but that only serves to prove that we need to concentrate the resources.

Until such time as the premier division of the National League boasts all seater stadiums, with adequate press facilities and TV gantries, toilets, shops and perfect playing surfaces, it will never come close to fulfilling its potential. As with England, but on a smaller scale, it needs something like this proposed formula to kick start the process.

It is an elitist formula from the big six, and I can understand that smaller clubs may have concerns. Up until recently I, too, would have shared the view that a 16 or 18 club premier division would be more representative of the country as a whole.

However, the basic playing and spectator facilities aren't there to do justice to that. Tolka Park is the model for all to follow: Shamrock Rovers are on the verge of developing something similar by tapping into the unchartered waters of Tallaght (80,000 plus population).

It is the way forward, probably the only way. A rubber stamping of the format agreed at the last management committee meeting will set the domestic game back decades.

. Delegates from Derry City have been invited to attend a meeting with FAI/National League chiefs (likely to include Michael Hyland and Dr Tony O'Neill) in the light of the Bosman ruling.

Based on legal advice, negotiations with UEFA and the EC (through John Hume's office), Derry maintain that they are regarded as British, and, as such, cannot acquire out of contract players from the Irish League or cross channel for free as National League clubs can do.

They are therefore likely to reject the FAI's request that they come to a gentleman's agreement whereby they pay National League clubs a fee for out of contract players. The FAI appear to be reacting after the horse has bolted.

It would be eminently preferable if Derry, as a National League club, were deemed to fall under the Republic's jurisdiction in this matter and thus were in the same boat as their 21 colleagues. If the FAI can agree to such an interpretation, through UEFA and the EC, then so be it. If they cannot, then they cannot realistically expect Derry to agree to their request.

. So the money men have put together a deal with the Hammam brothers who own Wimbledon, and the FAI stands as the final obstacle to the London club re locating here.

Thus far, Sam Hammam maintains that the move would have spin off benefits for the domestic game. There will be a few million quid offered up as a carrot.

However, the backers - Paul McGuinness and co - have said nothing. Everything has been done covertly, and they haven't bothered to enter into public discussion.

If that remains the case, then the FAI should re iterate its opposition to the proposed re location. To do otherwise would merely be a capitulation to the money men.

The domestic game would be served better by investment in the National League. Would other European countries with part time leagues - Denmark, Switzerland and the like - agree to a club from Germany being based in their country? Hardly. It would be the ultimate admission of failure, especially if nothing was offered up in return. It will require a strong will, but the FAI should ultimately have just two words to say to the money men.