Change is welcome anyway.
We could be seeing a return to a 10-team SSE Airtricity League Premier Division if the recommendations of the Conroy report are to be followed.
Declan Conroy, who was integral in bringing the Europa League final to Dublin in 2011, has compiled a report aimed at rebooting and revitalising a league that many would argue has gone stale.
And it starts with a restructure to the format of both the Premier and First Division and looks at rebranding Irish football with more rewards, more promotion and more emphasis placed on development pathways.
Some of the ideas like splitting the league like the SPL after a certain amount of games, to play for relegation/promotion spots in round robin styles, and have a playoff for the final remaining Europa League place could re-invigorate interest across the board in both divisions.
A lot of the ideas are proposed to increase fan engagement and to generally push the SSE Airtricity League on to a bigger platform.
The summary of the Conroy report is broken in to 12 main points.
1. Creation of a 10 team, two division re-branded and re-launched League from 2017-2020
Two divisions, 10 teams each.
Split the Premier Division season after 27 games with top six / bottom four.
Playoff match (home/away) for final Europa League place.
Round robin promotion/relegation play off with 8th and 9th in Premier and 2nd and 3rd in First divisions.
Winners of 1st division promoted with possibility of 2nd and 3rd also being promoted annually.
2. Re-vamping of League promotion / relegation in 2016 to accommodate 2017 -2020 season changes
Three or four teams relegated; one or two teams promoted (subject to play off results).
3. Increase in prize money for Premier and First Divisions and redistribution across Premier Division
Increase in the total prize funding to be in place for the new League in 2017, including an incremental increase in 2016.
4. Rebranding of the SSE Airtricity League from 2017
SSE Airtricity “Centenary League” (2020).
5. Appointment of a League Marketing “Champion” – who promotes and markets the League working with all clubs and sponsors
6. Re-alignment of PR/Media activities – with one dedicated person for SSE Airtricity League
7. Recruitment of SSE Airtricity League “Ambassadors”
Ex/current international or club players.
Working with clubs and FAI to raise profile of local clubs, local players in community.
Major emphasis on pre-season activity.
8. Supplement the existing Broadcast agreements with revenues accruing to clubs
Target additional TV markets outside Ireland.
Develop a National and local radio strategy.
Create designated TV weekend blitzes with multiple games in Aviva.
9. Pursue a dedicated League commercial sponsor focus for 2017 onwards
10. Develop and run a full Club community programme on a pilot basis in conjunction with FAI and local agencies/authorities
11. Host an annual FAI “Match” to fund club Ambassadors/community work
12. Host a dedicated SSE Airtricity League awards night – recognition of players, coaches, managers, administrators
