Should/could Belfast have it's own professional soccer team Gerry want's to know

[RabRow]

My sentiments exactly.....no chance.   

Your right. It was raised a good few years ago that two Belfast teams playing home and away on alternative Saturdays in the English League. A Belfast City and a Belfast United were two names which were suggested.

When Roy Coyle managed Linfield and they were winning a lot of trophies there was talk of them entering the Scottish League. But as you say no chance of it happening as those in charge of things have a cosy corner and will not give it up.

[AL CAPONE]

If Glasgow Celtic want to improve in Europe they need to join the english championship and win promotion to the premier league. Celtic and the club previously known as Rangers.

A few year ago Wimbledon considered moving to Dublin. I think there is more chance of that happening than in Belfast.

Belfast soccer is just too difficult and too dangerous.

Why does Lisburn not have a soccer stadium and a soccer team?

They would need to start off in the very bottom of English football like any other team.

[Orior]

So, sure Manchester Utd's ground, Old Trafford is not in Manchester but in Stretford greater Manchester.

Sir Matt Busby Way, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RA

And what happened when the six county soccer team were going to relocate to a new stadium 10 mile down the motorway?

[RabRow]

Just think if we had 2 soccer teams in Belfast we would be getting teams from England across to play. OK we'd have to start off in the lower leagues but if we did make it to the Premier division we'd have the likes of Chelsea,Liverpool,Man Utd, Man City etc coming to Belfast. We would get support for the two teams from all over Ulster. Of course instead of being like a Man Utd and Man City situation it could be like the two Sheffield or Bristol teams. But even if that was so we could maybe get a lucky draw in the FA cup and a big team coming to Belfast

As the saying goes ' where there's a will there's a way ' but the will is not there so we carry on as we are.

[old3wheeler]

Hate to burst the bubble folks lol but it will never happen , There is not the cash to pay top notch players to relocate to Belfast in order to create a Premier League top team.   Nor would there be any kind of wish to do so by the uk football authorities it would be a non runner with them, The logistical and financial  systems that would be needed to support and keep a N IRE side competing at Premiership level are to much , Sorry but not gonna happen I'm afraid , Regards Ken

[jmac]

And what happened when the six county soccer team were going to relocate to a new stadium 10 mile down the motorway?

I give up.   ask me one on sport

[RabRow]

Hate to burst the bubble folks lol but it will never happen , There is not the cash to pay top notch players to relocate to Belfast in order to create a Premier League top team.   Nor would there be any kind of wish to do so by the uk football authorities it would be a non runner with them, The logistical and financial  systems that would be needed to support and keep a N IRE side competing at Premiership level are to much , Sorry but not gonna happen I'm afraid , Regards Ken

Of course your right but can't but think if a big money conglomerate was involved and set up rival teams in Belfast it could happen. Anyway its nice to dream 

[gerry mcevoy]

It wouldnt need a  billionaire to get the football team up and running, Guernsey fc have a main financial backer but it is certainly  not costing him millions per annum  or anywere near it.
The positive factor about starting at such a low level is that the club can grow as the team progresses, it does not need a huge amount of money  to get off the ground.
The current english model of foreign billionaire owners is not the only way either, Barcelona have 180,000 members who elect a president and a lot of clubs who have had to start from scratch ie Afc wimbledon, utd of manchester fc etc have adopted similar structures.
Regarding admission fees, it would cost as much to watch Crusaders at Seaview as it would to watch Borrusia Dortmund every week in the Bundesliga, no longer is the money at the gate the main source of revenue.

[James James]

Well if it ever happens, put gerry mcevoy in charge, if anyone could make it work I suspect that it would be him. BTW, re numbers of potential supporters etcetera, if such a team were to happen in the north, would that not attract the support of southern soccer fans, and would it not be practical for them to travel to BF to watch matches. ?

[stickleback]

Well if it ever happens, put gerry mcevoy in charge, if anyone could make it work I suspect that it would be him. BTW, re numbers of potential supporters etcetera, if such a team were to happen in the north, would that not attract the support of southern soccer fans, and would it not be practical for them to travel to BF to watch matches. ?

Can't imagine too many fans making the trip from Cork to watch Belfast FC v Shrewsbury Town.

None of the minnow clubs would ever agree to Belfast FC joining their league. They run on a pittance. What are they meant to do, fly over an hour before kick-off ? Or take the overnight ferry? Travel the day before and put the players up in a hotel ? It's just a complete and utter non-starter.

[RabRow]

If it was to happen I think the two teams would become a powerful force though time. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Just thought I'd mention that the first overseas team to beat Everton was Limavady.    But look where Limavady is   and where Everton is.

[redeyeblue]

The biggest obstacle of a Belfast team playing in the English league is not the IFA, in fact it would be the EFL who would prevent such a move as was stated several years ago after the Good Friday Agreement when Mo Mowlam approached the EFL with this very subject. I don't believe investment would be a problem, nor would finding a ground be a problem either, it is a simple matter of politics within the EFL and other footballing bodies.

[RabRow]

The biggest obstacle of a Belfast team playing in the English league is not the IFA, in fact it would be the EFL who would prevent such a move as was stated several years ago after the Good Friday Agreement when Mo Mowlam approached the EFL with this very subject. I don't believe investment would be a problem, nor would finding a ground be a problem either, it is a simple matter of politics within the EFL and other footballing bodies.

Probably right, but circumstances can change. Cardiff and Swansea are two Welsh teams playing in the English League and at one time Linfield played in the FA Cup. So there is a precedent for it to happen. Teams like Everton,Liverpool  the two Manchester teams all came from humble beginnings..Man City,Everton came from Sunday Schools and churches.

Belfast United and Belfast City could though time make their presence felt.

[gerry mcevoy]

The Ifa would definitley be the biggest stumbling block. I would be confident that a Belfast team would be accepted into the english pyramid system under the same conditions as Guernsey fc.

[RabRow]

The Ifa would definitley be the biggest stumbling block. I would be confident that a Belfast team would be accepted into the english pyramid system under the same conditions as Guernsey fc.

Don't know where they'd start. There is a National League.  Look at Accrington Stanley who folded up and disappeared off the scene but they are now in the Football League. Accrington is a small town but Belfast is a big city. With two teams from Belfast competing and drawing support as Man City and Man United do in their city, Belfast City and Belfast United would I think draw massive support from Belfast and beyond.

But the IFA like the cosy arrangement they have and things will stay as they are. No vision at all.