The Other View

Northern soccer in the trough of despair

Undoubtedly both league and international soccer in 'Norn Iron' is in a crisis. Its future is uncertain and indeed, there may not even be one. At worst it is a sectarian ridden and exclusive domain that has failed to take stock of certain realities that the past thirty years of conflict have brought about. It lacks competitiveness, high calibre and quality players and the lifeblood of sponsorship and adequate investment. The pool of cross community support is massively shallow and indeed, at times of increased sectarian tribal conflict is totally frozen over.

Unfortunately the same applies to other sports in Northern Ireland though to a much lesser extent. Soccer is more tribal and class orientated and there is no need for an exegesis as to why this is so.

Suffice to say that from league to international level northern soccer has become a failed sporting entity. An examination of the reasons why must take into account the fact that almost half (indeed maybe even more) of the population in this statelet feel they have no stakehold in the future of the sport at certain levels. Northern nationalists and republicans have long decided where their true allegiances and loyalties lie. For them there is only one team in Ireland. Bigotry has scored numerous own goals and has helped put northern Irish soccer in the doldrums. The message today from the lesser spotted fans on the terraces at Windsor Park rings out loud and clear; 'No Taigs here', but these days this is directed mainly at Catholic players breaking their butts to secure what? …another goal-less draw.

One salient irrefutable fact has emerged via the TV screens; empty terraces at deteriorating football grounds throughout the north convey apathy and abandonment. The sport attracts few aficionados from across the social divide. The protestant middle and upper classes it seems wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Even the less media shy loyalists from the Shankill prefer to sport England jerseys at flash points or on television. What has happened 'national' pride and why are there few IFA logo jerseys being sold on the Shankill or anywhere for that matter?

The more enduring and older fans are forever nostalgic about Spain '82 or Mexico '86 and the halcyon days of Georgie Boy and Big Pat. Such reminiscence is symptomatic of decadence. Football grounds here are near Albanian-esque and need massive cash boosts to meet required standards. Low head counts don't raise revenue and cross-community support from the Legislative Assembly is out of the question. Catholics give IFA league football grounds a wide berth. No matter what remedy the IFA may come up with the reality is that soccer in the six counties is on a downward spiral. Even at the mean level of local matches sectarianism raises its ugly head.

Despite all this plans are pencilled in to increase the so-called 'Irish' league to 16 teams next season, a decision deeply criticised by Malcolm Brodie whose knowledge and understanding of northern Irish soccer and IFA strategies is second to none. Brodie's criticisms of the sport here are based on current realities and practicalities and he advocates sound proposals but he is obviously of a generation which has failed to take stock of political, ideological and structural changes in this statelet. In this respect he will always be an 'outsider'. He rules out an all-Ireland team. He advocates upgrading Windsor Park. For what? More 'trick or treat' debacles and to increase the feeling that 'Norn Iron' supporters are increasingly being isolated and reduced due to bigotry. Soccer fans in the north when they don't travel to premier league matches across the water are content to watch it all on the big screens at home or in the local bars and clubs.

The question is often asked within republican/nationalist communities; How do the soccer bigots feel when they see GAA stadiums like Croke Park, Casement or Clones filled to capacity with cheering, flag-waving GAA supporters the majority of whom are equally at home in Celtic Park, Old Trafford or Landsdowne Road?

If television has brought out any realities it is the levels of support from the different traditions for the different games. What determines TV coverage these days…the numbers game! In this respect northern soccer loses again. Less media sponsorship and less media coverage.

The only way forward is a radical, practical and realistic appraisal that must look at soccer's future within an all- Ireland context. Sponsorship would flow and there would be enthusiastic financial inducements from the political, public and private sectors.

There would be a larger pool of quality high-class players and greater competitiveness to attract supporters. There would be more dynamic mindsets to formulate policy and devise strategy, and who knows, maybe in the future when or if soccer (and soccer teams) eventually becomes a cross-border cross community institution there would evolve a consensus for a super league of the Isles. With open minds anything, indeed everything, is possible.

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