The
‘yes’ vote by the 22 League clubs means an overhaul
of all aspects of the Eircom League and each club’s own operations.The
principal changes agreed by the clubs include:
-
Merging the Eircom League with the FAI from season 2007
-
A 4 tier League structure with Premiership, First Division,
a new ‘A’ Championship and an under 20 League from
2008.
-
An increase in the prize fund from €450,000 to €803,000.
-
Prize money for Premiership winners to be €225,000 and
€50,000 for the First Division winners.
-
Premiership to be reduced from 12 to 10 clubs from 2009.
-
The new Eircom League to be managed by a six person committee
which will include two external specialists.
-
The introduction of community related Club Promotions Officers
for Premiership clubs.
-
Mandatory participation agreements will be introduced.
Eligibility
for the Premiership and First Division of the Eircom League for
the 2007 season will be determined by an Independent Assessment
Group, which will apply set criteria to rank clubs for the 2007
season only. The
Assessment Group will be chaired by Des Casey, a UEFA Life Member
and will also include former Dublin City Manager John Fitzgerald,
the former chairman of the Irish Sports Council Pat O’Neill
and Niall Quinn. The committee will convene for the first time during
July 2006.
|
|
