[Albion] Evan Ferguson

[Jolly Red Giant]

I did remember the GAA and rugby side of things. All within a population of 4 or 5 million, plus some Anglo Irish and rugby has benefited from southern hemisphere players naturalising as Irish. Amazing 82,000 capacity Croke Park speaks volumes.

My ill informed guess is that Irish players coming through English club academies should help you guys.

The club football will stay semi professional at most clubs.

Croke Park is a beautiful stadium - pity the GAA won't let soccer be played there (but they have no problem with American Football).

Yes - there are a lot of Irish players coming through the English academies - but some are now chosing to go to clubs in Europe because of the money based meat grinder that is the PL (e.g. James Abankwah & Festy Ebosele at Udinese - John Ryan at Sassuolo - Kevin Zefi at Inter - Ed McJannet at Lecce - Glory Nzingo at Reims - Garcia McNulty at Wolfsburg - Killian Cailloce at Caen).

BIG ISSUE - because of Brexit Irish players can no longer join British clubs until they are 18. I suspect that many will chose to remain in Ireland. Facilities are improving (even if slowly) and the coaching is improving significantly. The FAI seem to have finally realised that it is better to put the resources into underage in Ireland rather than hoping to find players from the diaspora in Britain. It is possible that some English clubs will try and engage in strategic partnerships with Irish clubs - Cobh Ramblers have a partnership with Burnley - Sligo Rovers with Everton..

What is happening is that quite a few established LoI players are moving to England to play in L1 and L2 - why - because they do not need a work permit unlike other foreign players - so the Irish players can extract higher wages from the English clubs as a result. There is well over 100 Irish players in L1 and L2.

As for the Irish game - to the best of my knowledge all the PL clubs in Ireland are full-time professional (although some do operate on the basis of 44 week contracts) - there is a large turnout of players between clubs every off-season.

 

[Hove Lagoonery]

Ireland were always able to put out a good first eleven - the problem arose when any of those players got injured.

The difference at the moment is that there is a signficant number of young players that are showing huge potential (the U-17s topped their qualification group ahead of Italy, Ukraine and Cyprus last week). If only a fraction of these come through Ireland will have a very solid squad for the next 10-15 years and that is a solid base to build from. Remember - soccer competes with the GAA in Ireland and it is very much the poor neighbour.

A key element for soccer in Ireland is the significant development of facilities in Ireland. Soccer is very much the poor relation of the GAA and rugby and despite having more people playing the sport than the other two - is signficantly underfunded by comparison. Case in point - Dalymount is the traditional home of Irish soccer - the record attendance there is 48,000. Today the ground is largely derelict with a capacity of less than 5,000 for Bohs. Despite this pretty much every Bohs home game is sold out. Three separate plans for the redevelopment of the gound into a 10,000 capacity stadium have been brought forward and shelved. Yet if the ground was rebuilt to a 10,000 capacity Bohs would probably fill it every home game. In contrast - I live in a town of about 10,000 population - the local GAA club is in the middle of the town - it has two full-size pitches, a large clubhouse and excellent dressing rooms - two training pitches - several astro pitches - a large car park and a stand with a capacity of 2,000 - all publicly funded. The rugby club which has about 100 members in total has a large clubhouse, changing facilities and two full-size pitches - again all publicly funded. Of the top 20 grounds in Ireland, 18 are GAA grounds, 1 rugby ground and the Aviva which is shared between the IRFU and the FAI. The GAA has five grounds with a capacity greater than 40,000.

On the positive side - there has been a major increase in attendances at LoI games - a couple of weeks ago Cork City had 6,500 at their home game against Bohs, St. Pats had just under 5,000 against Derry, Sligo (a town of less than 20,000) had nearly 4,500 against Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne had 3,500 for Drogheda and Dundalk had over 3,000 against UCD (who don't have any travelling fans). Most of these are near capacity attendances. Tallaght stadium which was built new about 20 years ago and has had consistent upgrading since, has a capacity of 8,000 and Shamrock Rovers are selling out almost every home game. The expectation is that for the first time ever the LoI will see attendances top 1 million. The other thing of not is the large number of young players now coming through the LoI - a lot of the players who are starting for clubs have come through the ranks of their respective academies (which get little or no funding). Things are very positive in Ireland at the moment.

That was an interesting read. I don't actually know what GAA stands for but it must refer to Gaelic football or hurling (the former looks to be by far the better game although I've seen very little hurling). I thought these sports were more popular (than soccer) only in the west and southwest. Did switching to calendar year seasons significantly increase attendances?
Looks like Cork Hibs and Celtic merged - presumably for economic reasons.

 

[Jolly Red Giant]

Post 1997 would you say its greatly dissipated across the Isle as a whole?

New Order, in no way imperialists, spoke of being spat at in the ROI in the 80’s, they were told because they were Brits.

Post 1997 - somewhat - the reality is that sectarianism hasn't gone away in the North. Sectarian riots take place on a regular basis. It is however, far less in your face than during the Troubles. Sinn Fein wouldn't have the level of support that they do in the South if sectarianism was overt. But I would agree that it has somewhat dissipated - the problem is that the GFA resolved nothing - it did nothing more than institutionalise sectarianism. With the demographic changes occurring in the North the potential for flash points to emerge is significant - especially if Sinn Fein keep pushing for a referendum on unity.

Apart from that - most Irish people love to see England getting beaten at any sport, but especially soccer. Given the 700 years of British rule in Ireland, it is a small level of payback to support whoever England are playing against. They especially like English Tory sportspeople getting their rearend handed to them (e.g. many people in Ireland were delighted to see posh boy Frank getting sacked by Everton). And then you have to try and explain why practially every Irish soccer fan supports an English (or Scottish) team?

 

[Hove Lagoonery]

Who’s likely to be the new manager?

GP might become available soon....

 

[Nialler]

Post 1997 would you say its greatly dissipated across the Isle as a whole?

New Order, in no way imperialists, spoke of being spat at in the ROI in the 80’s, they were told because they were Brits.

Massively dissipated.

And honestly the feelings towards English teams vary from sport to sport, it is not uniform.
The English Rugby team has massive massive respect here as do its fans.
It is the men's football team that has the least support but people have even softened to the Southgate team.
People supported the women's team here when you won the Euros.
The edge with the football team here does stem from the riots and ripping up the stadium here. People were highly pissed off with that and it spoiled any chance for a rugby type relationship which I think Irish people would have happily had. I suppose it is the same for Bournemouth fans when it comes to Leeds fans when Leeds fans destroyed the place.

Also the English media being horrible doesn't help (even to its own team)
A minority of English fans rioting at tournaments etc.
It is also a fear of how unbearable the British media would be rather than any kind of " we don't want to see English people happy" type emotions.

I actually think ordinary English and Irish get on really well. Partition was just a disaster. And people hate the Tory party something not all that uncommon on that side of the pond.

It can't be judged from the height of tensions in the north imo.

I actually went to school there for 4 years. I was attacked on my first day in the town after people heard my Irish accent and called me an IRA see you next Tuesday. I was followed as I came out of a shop and smacked with a metal bar from behind. I got up and with my brothers help fought my way out of it.
That was North Herts in 2003 haha

Another one I had an English football fan ask me who was better Robbie Keane or Michael Owen.. I responded Owen and he tried to bite my ear off. I still don't understand why to this day

But It is just anecdotal shite right?

There will always be idiots and on both sides. I went on to have loads of friends there and never thought English people automatically think that way.

 

[Nialler]

Post 1997 - somewhat - the reality is that sectarianism hasn't gone away in the North. Sectarian riots take place on a regular basis. It is however, far less in your face than during the Troubles. Sinn Fein wouldn't have the level of support that they do in the South if sectarianism was overt. But I would agree that it has somewhat dissipated - the problem is that the GFA resolved nothing - it did nothing more than institutionalise sectarianism. With the demographic changes occurring in the North the potential for flash points to emerge is significant - especially if Sinn Fein keep pushing for a referendum on unity.

Apart from that - most Irish people love to see England getting beaten at any sport, but especially soccer. Given the 700 years of British rule in Ireland, it is a small level of payback to support whoever England are playing against. They especially like English Tory sportspeople getting their rearend handed to them (e.g. many people in Ireland were delighted to see posh boy Frank getting sacked by Everton). And then you have to try and explain why practially every Irish soccer fan supports an English (or Scottish) team?

Sinn Fein... the most awful pol party on planet earth. Don't get me started on them wasters.
I don't see it the same way as you though with regards football. I just think it is a more tribalistic sport.
Hence why you can have fans not liking the England team and supporting some random English team.
There has been quite a few English boxers I have been a big fan of.

Depends on the part of the country too. Up north its still mad on both sides just less violent.
Class plays apart too.
I also hate Frank Lampard but it is his personality not nationality. I do think everyone hates the tories here though. That much we agree on. I don't think you can conflate gov/pol party with gen feeling towards regular English people though. Because English people fit in very well in Ireland and they get very little stick anywhere in 2023

 

[peterward]

 

[Jolly Red Giant]

That was an interesting read. I don't actually know what GAA stands for but it must refer to Gaelic football or hurling (the former looks to be by far the better game although I've seen very little hurling). I thought these sports were more popular only in the west and southwest. Did switching to calendar year seasons significantly increase attendances?
Looks like Cork Hibs and Celtic merged - presumably for economic reasons.

Hurling is a great sport and dates back more than 2,000 years - the fastest team sport in the world that requires a significant level of skill - the downside is that the GAA run the sport. I can't stand Gaelic football - it was created to pull Irish people away from soccer in the nineteenth century and is nothing more than chasing a ball around a field while pulling and dragging out of the guy next to you.

Cork Hibs disappeared about 50 years ago - Cork Celtic a few years later. Cork City were established in the mid-1980s. They have gone through a couple of period of financial difficulties - but like most LoI clubs now, they are on much more solid ground. Cork City was owned by the supporters trust after the supporters saved the club from bankruptcy in 2008. They decided to sell to a businessman from Dublin in 2022. Derry City is owned by a billionaire - Dundalk is part owned by STATSports - St Pats is owned by a property developer who was caught up in the property crash in 2008 - Shamrock Rovers is part owned by the supporters club and a 50% share is owned by an Australian who runs a hedgefund - Shelbourne is owned by a guy who owns a big law firm and an US hedgefund is also involved - UCD are university based - and Bohs, Sligo Rovers and Drogheda are all owned by the supporters.

The shift to summer based football has made a difference - the biggest being, imo, that the poor state of the pitches in wintertime has been eliminated. This has resulted in better football being played. Most games are played on Fiday evening (usually a 7.45 kick-off) to avoid competing with the PL on TV over the weekend. It is not a bad way to spend a couple of hours on a balmy summers evening. The increased attendances have significantly improved the atmosphere in the grounds as well - the places can be hopping, particularly during derby games.

 

[Weststander]

Post 1997 - somewhat - the reality is that sectarianism hasn't gone away in the North. Sectarian riots take place on a regular basis. It is however, far less in your face than during the Troubles. Sinn Fein wouldn't have the level of support that they do in the South if sectarianism was overt. But I would agree that it has somewhat dissipated - the problem is that the GFA resolved nothing - it did nothing more than institutionalise sectarianism. With the demographic changes occurring in the North the potential for flash points to emerge is significant - especially if Sinn Fein keep pushing for a referendum on unity.

Apart from that - most Irish people love to see England getting beaten at any sport, but especially soccer. Given the 700 years of British rule in Ireland, it is a small level of payback to support whoever England are playing against. They especially like English Tory sportspeople getting their rearend handed to them (e.g. many people in Ireland were delighted to see posh boy Frank getting sacked by Everton). And then you have to try and explain why practially every Irish soccer fan supports an English (or Scottish) team?

Many ordinary English football folk found the Lampard Everton era and ending funny too .

I am a patriotic Brit (not I hope in a jingoistic or racist way). During The Troubles sucked into the them and us, they were polarising times per se. I was too young, passive and in tolerant Brighton to have been someone who would’ve abused Irish folk here. But with a large degree of peace and the passage of time, my eyes have been opened. The Potato Famine, I think I watched a fair and detailed doc on TV, stood out to me as a low. In relatively modern times, a quasi genocide in that the scare food was directed to loyalists and Brits. Giving the background you touch on.

That’s true … on a Liverpool home match-day weekend, huge support comes across the Irish Sea from both parts of Ireland. I’ve seen it. Just guessing, other than some family roots, from the age of TV football being broadcast into the ROI in the 70’s? That was why Danes, Norwegians and Swedes got into LFC.

[I’m aware we’re derailing the Evan thread].

 

[Weststander]

https://www.skysports.com/amp/footb...-republic-of-irelands-answer-to-kylian-mbappe

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Massively dissipated.

And honestly the feelings towards English teams vary from sport to sport, it is not uniform.
The English Rugby team has massive massive respect here as do its fans.
It is the men's football team that has the least support but people have even softened to the Southgate team.
People supported the women's team here when you won the Euros.
The edge with the football team here does stem from the riots and ripping up the stadium here. People were highly pissed off with that and it spoiled any chance for a rugby type relationship which I think Irish people would have happily had. I suppose it is the same for Bournemouth fans when it comes to Leeds fans when Leeds fans destroyed the place.

Also the English media being horrible doesn't help (even to its own team)
A minority of English fans rioting at tournaments etc.
It is also a fear of how unbearable the British media would be rather than any kind of " we don't want to see English people happy" type emotions.

I actually think ordinary English and Irish get on really well. Partition was just a disaster. And people hate the Tory party something not all that uncommon on that side of the pond.

It can't be judged from the height of tensions in the north imo.

I actually went to school there for 4 years. I was attacked on my first day in the town after people heard my Irish accent and called me an IRA see you next Tuesday. I was followed as I came out of a shop and smacked with a metal bar from behind. I got up and with my brothers help fought my way out of it.
That was North Herts in 2003 haha

Another one I had an English football fan ask me who was better Robbie Keane or Michael Owen.. I responded Owen and he tried to bite my ear off. I still don't understand why to this day

But It is just anecdotal shite right?

There will always be idiots and on both sides. I went on to have loads of friends there and never thought English people automatically think that way.

I never realised just how over the top the media can be until the Euro 2020 final. It was way, way over the top to the point that as an England fan who had waited his whole life to see England in a final even I was thoroughly bored with it all. It made me sympathise with the other home nations if they have to put up with that all the time.

 

[OzMike]

We certainly have a developing talent on our hands.
It's a shame that the first thought is how much is he worth.

 

[JetsetJimbo]

https://www.skysports.com/amp/footb...-republic-of-irelands-answer-to-kylian-mbappe

Had no idea that Duffy is Ireland's top scorer since Robbie Keane retired - with 6 goals since then (August 2016). Shocking stat.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Had no idea that Duffy is Ireland's top scorer since Robbie Keane retired - with 6 goals since then (August 2016). Shocking stat.

It reflects badly on the ROI forward players, but credit to big Shane for this. To get 6 international goals at centre back is something not loads of people do

 

[Javeaseagull]

We certainly have a developing talent on our hands.
It's a shame that the first thought is how much is he worth.

Yes it is but I think it is said with a sense of pride, no?

 

[Stato]

Somebody on the Ireland National team's forum is suggesting a chant of

"Ooh baby do you know what he's worth,
Ooh Evan is the best on earth."

 

[Robinjakarta]

I told ye in the thread earlier there was nothing to worry about Evan is the 100 million beast striker ye wanted. He is nailed on thank god

Yep and yet again evidence that those responsible at the club knew what they were doing when hotter heads on here were clamouring for a striker. He has the potential to be the best striker we have ever had. He's that good. My only concern is how long we can keep him, but we can be confident in our great club's ability to handle that and plan ahead.

 

[Robinjakarta]

Yeah he really is like a young Harry Kane. Hopefully less of a sour faced prick though.

.. a sour faced CHEATING prick.

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

Somebody on the Ireland National team's forum is suggesting a chant of

"Ooh baby do you know what he's worth,
Ooh Evan is the best on earth."

Weird! I was signing that to myself this morning!

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

Weird! I was signing that to myself this morning!

Third line for me was:

"When he's in bed, the girls come first" but is that too saucy for this day and age?