Ah surprise Football Supporter eh reply to this thread yet.
Good topic Flex.
Just so your not disappointed Sam!!
Flex, you make some good points and ask some good questions. But before we can bring change, we first have to understand the mentality.
The ProLeague was formed under the shadow of Jack Warner. For those not aligned with Jack (yet aware they had to climb into bed with him to get anywhere), the foremost priority was retaining some element of control. Effectively, they formed a membership club that allowed them to keep out those they didn't want, and bend rules to suit those they liked. So, it costs $450,000 to join the league. Yet, if you decide to pull out of the league for a season, your place is reserved so you can rejoin without a fee. This may seem fair to some, but it does not benefit the growth or image of the league. It would be better to have an entry fee of, say, $75,000 per year. Then, the league would have a continuous income outside of sponsorship.
Also, what do you get for your $450k? Theres no income guaranteed from TV or even gates. So, as a business proposal, it is already flawed.
The clubs make the rules, which means their first consideration is protecting themselves. Instead, there should be an independent board, who's interest is growing the league as a whole. And if you fail, you're sacked.
Aside from state teams, the other clubs could not survive with out the subvention from Ministry of Sport. Therefore, it would be impossible for clubs to prove they have 2 years finances. Sponsors like to pay monthly, so that wouldn't help. Gate money is scarce, so you can't really put that into the budget. Also, sponsors do not always adhere to their agreements. I can testify that DIRECTV certainly did everything they promised, but I also know of sponsors who suddenly decided that they were pulling out. This may have been the case with Adams Construction. I have no idea if that is so, but if you're paying monthly and the team is not winning, its easy to just say "sorry, we can't continue". And trying to sue them, while justified, would involve a lengthy court case, lawyers fees (which would have to be taken from your already depleted funds) and probably deter any future sponsors.
This time last year, Sancho and I proposed to the clubs that we go after sponsorship for the CFU. All clubs work together and whoever qualifies will receive financial support until the CONCACAF stages. We pointed out that a T&T team that progresses will boost the image of the league and benefit all teams. Unsurprisingly, there was no real interest.
Moving from the stadiums is a smart move, but only if you can have total control over a community pitch. It can cost up to $100,000 to repair and maintain a pitch. Most Regional Corporations would contribute a percentage of that money. However, they will want the field to be used by the community. Imagine relaying a pitch and the next day it rains. Then you get sweaters and fete match teams, women's teams, rugby teams and kids coaching schools playing on the surface. When the sun drys the pitch, its like corrugated iron. Unfit for professional football. They will protect a cricket wicket, but they won't let you protect a football pitch. Then there is security. Most community grounds are run down with vandalised changing rooms and multiple entry points, some through holes in fences etc. So on a matchday you have to employ security. And if its raining, people won't pay to stand in the rain.
As a point of order, I believe that all stadium fees were waived for ProLeague teams.
A salary cap may assist in helping clubs financially, but as the aim should be to build interest in the league, you really want to encourage the best T&T players to stay home and entice some decent foreigners. One of this seasons top scorers was only receiving $3,000 per month. In my view, players should be paid more. That way, there would be real value in playing professional football, and players would behave more professionally as they would not want to lose such a good lifestyle. Even being paid $6,000 per month is not enough to dissuade them from turning out for a fete match. Professional sportsmen should be the elite, and therefore should be paid more than a junior manager or a policeman. And discipline would be much higher, a la Terry Fenwick!
I agree that administrators should have to reapply for their jobs every so often. I think 2 years is long enough to prove yourself. If you're worried about your job, you will make sure everybody below you performs to their best, if not, sack them. Your job depends on them.
Because of the stadium situation, ProLeague need to run double headers. Although it would be good to promote WOLF, they would have to kick off at 4pm on a Friday!
There definitely should be promotion and relegation involving the Super League. But because they are two separate entities, this won't happen. TTFF need to take control of football and reorganise the league system. But that's going to happen either!
There is too much football and this distracts from the professional game. One of the worse culprits is School football. At 16, boys should be joining ProLeague clubs to learn the game and develop their talent. Maybe a draught system could be used, or schools selected as feeder teams. Instead of U14, U16 and U18 Oasis league, the school teams could compete in a league under the umbrella of the ProLeague and Super League clubs. So, for instance, everyone will know that, say, St Anthony's is a feeder club of St Ann's Rangers. Not only does this give access to a Professional football career ladder, but it benefits the clubs by attracting the school supporters to follow the ProLeague.
I can tell you that a "star" school player is completely out of his depth when he joins a ProLeague team at 18 or 19. Plus, to most overseas clubs, he is already 2 or 3 years behind his foreign competition. Imagine Messi had stayed at school in Argentina until he was 18!
A good third tier would be an extended Eddie Hart league.
The oil companies have switched their focus to direct community support. Unless you are within 10 miles of them, they won't sponsor anything. Professional football does not fit their Corporate Social Responsibility profiles, and nor should it. However, people like Unipet and NP should be more involved. There are many companies who should be more involved such as Junior Sammy, Coosals, National Quarries, the banks and insurance companies, Angostura, Brydons etc. The problem is that clubs just go asking for handouts. They must build a proposal that adds value to the sponsors. Without TV or big gates, its very difficult to do this. All you can offer is community projects, but that takes effort, and most clubs can't see the benefit because they are looking at short term goals rather than sustainability.
Well, Sam, you asked for it lol
