This article is from page 56 of the 2011-08-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 56 JPG
CLUBS in Clare have voted in favour of reducing player registration fees despite warnings that a potential € 20,000 drop in income could halt development at the County Grounds.
Members of the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) argued that any reduction in registration fees would affect plans to erect a new stand and floodlights at the County Grounds.
However after a lengthy debate at last Monday’s AGM, clubs voted through a motion that will see fees reduced from € 40 to € 30 next season. Kilrush Rangers, Corofin Harps and Shannon Olympic had all proposed reductions in the € 40 player registration fee.
Club representatives including Eoin Madden (Shannon Olympic) and Robert Clancy (Kilrush Rangers) claimed some clubs very existence was being threatened, as players are unable to pay the “high” fees.
“You will see clubs fall by the wayside”, said Clancy
Eoin Madden said the league should explore other means of fundraising to generate income.
In his response, league secretary Oliver Fitzpatrick warned, “Any reduction in registration will result in the league struggling to break even for the season and seriously impact our application for a loan from the bank for the planned development work at our County Grounds. Our application for a loan is based on our current income from registration. This is our only guaranteed source of income for the season”.
Fitzpatrick told the meeting that the CDSL fees compare favourably with other leagues. He said that at the start of every season the Galway league charges € 1500 per team per club; a further charge of € 500 to cover referee costs and € 20 per player registration.
Long serving league official Pa- draig McCullough strongly urged clubs to maintain the current registration fees or jeopardise plans for the County Grounds.
He added, “I know it’s hard for clubs to find that extra few bob. But of we go backwards, we go backwards”.
FAI delegate Jim Madden said it will cost the league € 50,000 to install lights at the Quin road venue.
CDSL affiliation fees in 2011 were € 48,690 but treasurer Michael McInerney warned that a 50% reduction in registration fees could result in a € 20,000 loss in income to the league.
Representatives of Avenue United and Lifford agreed that registration fees should not be reduced.
John O’Malley of Avenue United told the meeting that the County Grounds is “totally underutilised” and needs further development.
John O’Neill of Lifford said the accumulation of fines is a far greater cost concern for clubs. He urged the league to penalise players directly and not clubs.
Gearoid Mannion of Avenue United said he supported keeping current registration fees at their present levels, providing player fines are reduced. However the joint Avenue United / Lifford amendment was defeated with a majority of clubs voting 23 to 11 in favour of Shannon Olympic’s motion to reduce the registration fee to € 30.